Behaviour

Question
Hi. I'm studying Canine Behaviour & Psychology. I'm stuck on a question. I have to give reasons why a bitch (domestic or wild) may kill her pups if there is too much disturbance and people visiting etc and she is not given enough privacy with her pups. Can you help? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Lisa
I hope I can help. Often a bitch will get into a frenzy when there is too much disturbance and not enough privacy. She starts out feeling pressured to protect her babies and panicky. It doesn't take long for her instincts to kick into overdrive and while she is in reality desperately trying to protect her babies she is actually hurting them and often killing them by stomping on them, lying on them, picking them up and moving them around , squeezing them with her jaws in her excitement and in her reactions to fear she will eventually accidentally kill them. Young mother's especially can become extremely afraid and agitated in such situations and simply don't realize they are injuring their babies while trying to protect them. Dogs need calm, quiet , secure surroundings to take care of their little ones. Mom's will do this particularly if they can't get away to a safe area with their babies.
It's a sad thing to see happen whether in the wild or domesticated.
It's a form of hysteria.
Cindi