abrupt change in behavior

Question
I have a mixed breed dog that is about 4 years old.  We've had her for the last 3 years.  She has been a great dog, but recently has had a noticable change in her behavior.  Previously, she has been amazingly patient with the baby (now almost 4) but is growling at her more lately.  When we would go outside with her, I could let her out in the back yard, which is not fenced in, without a leash (even if I didn't stay with her), but now she has run away twice.  Also, she is suddenly always on the furniture and beds.  Now today, she had a bowel movement in the house.  I'm just confused why all of the is starting all of a sudden.

My wife is currently pregnant and I've heard that that can cause dogs to change.  Can that be it?  Do I need to get her to a vet?  Something isn't right.

Answer
Hello Harry -

You are correct to have heard that pets can change when a pregnancy is the household. Pets can sense and smell hormonal changes going on in the females body and they become more perceptive and open to them.

If your wife was the one to always play with your pet, feed her, nurture her etc, then these changes are occurring because your female dog can sense the hormones. Female dogs especially tend to become spiteful when the female human of the house goes through changes (even menopause) and doesn't focus as much attention on the dog as she use to.

When a pet is raised with a child, they become part of the "pack". When they are around for the pregnancy, they begin to distance themselves and get into trouble. This is normal, they feel their "pack" is already established and that someone new is coming in and may disrupt the balance.

The best thing to so is try to make your pet part of the pregnancy, don't really scold her when she has done wrong. Let her know that "her pack" will be fine and that she is loved just as much as the child on the way. This will be a trying process and you may get frustrated, especially around the 7-9th month of expecting. Have your wife interact with the dog, feed it, pet it and nurture it.

By going on the furniture, she is marking her territory and leaving her scent so no other "pack mother" will disrupt her balance. Try spraying some bitter apple spray to deter her from going on the furniture.

Aside from it all, it is amazing how animals become bonded to their families and it is more protection then anything. Just make your pet feel very welaome around your family, don't her the impression that she is burden and she should turn around for you.

If no change occurs, you may want to look into the Flower Essences. They work very well for emotional and behavioral issues like this. There is alot of information available online, go to www.flowersociety.org. I am actually listed as a practicioner and would be happy to help yu and your pet should you choose this natural treatment option. I recommend this as a first step - some pets become so territorial during human preganancies that they need to be put on Prozac type drugs. I don't want this to happen to you, try the recommendations above and the Flower Essences if necessary.

Feel free to contact me anytime, I will be happy to help you and your pet further with natural treatment options.

I hope this information has helped you and your pet.

If you would like information on naural and herbal remedies for human and animal concerns please contact me at wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to assist you. I also offer a catalog of specially formulated herbal remedies which I can send to you as well. My products are also available online at www.localharvest.org.

Thank you and best wishes to you, your pet, your wife and family. Please keep me posted on your pets condition and I will do my best to help anyway that I can.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist