Overprotection of Toy

Question
My neighbour has a Jack Russell, never neutered nor has had puppies. Recently she (Booh) has become particularly over-protective of a toy (rubber chicken) that she takes to bed with her and if you try to take it from he, she snarls and bares her teeth. She has never done this before and my neighbour was told it could be a phantom pregnancy. Could I have your veies ?

Answer
Hi, Sue,

I couldn't say for sure without more information.

If there are other behaviors, like dragging things to her bed as part of a kind of "nesting" impulse, then it might be phantom pregnancy. All that means really, is that her hormones are out of whack. On the other hand, the dog could have other, non-hormone-related issues. It's hard to say.

I hope this helps,

LCK