Jul '23 in General discussion
Why Does My Dog Keep Putting Her Puppy in Her Mouth?
If you have a dog who has recently given birth to a litter of pups, you may have observed that she sometimes picks up one or more of her puppies in her mouth and carries them around. This may seem like an unusual or even dangerous activity, but it is actually extremely typical and natural for mother dogs. In this post, we will explain why dogs do this and what you can do to assure the safety and well-being of both the mother and her puppies.
Reasons Why Dogs Put Their Puppies in Their Mouth
One important reason why a mother dog puts her youngster in her mouth is to carry them from one place to another. Puppies are born blind, deaf, and unable to move, rendering them wholly dependent on their mother for mobility. By lifting her puppy with her tongue, the mother dog provides a secure and efficient mode of transportation, ensuring her young ones are constantly close to her and away from potential dangers.
Another reason why dogs put their babies in their mouth is to groom them. Mother dogs lick their puppies to clean them, boost their respiration and digesting, and bond with them. Sometimes, they may gently hold their puppy’s head or body in their mouth while licking them, especially if the puppy is restless or squirmy. This is not an indication of aggression or dominance, but rather a technique of calming and soothing the puppy.
A third reason why dogs put their puppies in their mouth is to correct or discipline them. As pups grow bigger and start to explore their surroundings, they may get into trouble or disturb their mother by biting, barking, or playing too rough. Mother dogs may use their lips to grip or nip their puppy’s neck or ear to teach them manners and boundaries. This is also not an indication of violence or dominance, but rather a way of conveying and enforcing rules.
When to Worry About Dogs Putting Their Puppies in Their Mouth
While most of the time dogs put their puppies in their mouth for benign reasons, there are several occasions where this behavior may suggest a problem or a risk.
One instance where you should be concerned is if the mother dog keeps carrying one specific puppy in her mouth more than the others. This may suggest that the puppy has a health issue or a disability that makes it weaker or different from its siblings. For example, some puppies may have a congenital disease known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects their coordination and balance. The mother dog may detect that anything is amiss with the puppy and try to separate it from the rest of the litter, or even reject or injure it. If you see this behavior, you should take the puppy to a vet for a check-up and provide extra care and attention for it.
Another instance where you should be cautious is if the mother dog applies too much pressure or force on the puppy’s body when holding it in her jaws. This may cause harm or suffocation to the puppy, especially if it is extremely small and weak. The mother dog may do this accidentally if she is untrained, nervous, or overprotective of her puppies. Alternatively, she may do this purposely if she suffers from a psychological illness known as canine postpartum depression, which alters her mood and behavior after giving birth. If you witness this behavior, you should intervene immediately and gently take the puppy from the mother’s mouth. You should also visit a vet for assistance on how to treat the mother’s health and prevent future injury to the puppies.
How to Prevent Dogs From Putting Their Puppies in Their Mouth
While you cannot completely stop dogs from putting their puppies in their mouth, as it is part of their natural instinct and maternal care, you can take some steps to reduce the frequency and intensity of this behavior.
- Provide a comfortable and safe environment for the mother dog and her puppies. Make sure they have enough space, bedding, food, water, toys, and privacy. Avoid loud noises, bright lights, strangers, or other pets that may disturb or stress them out.
- Monitor the mother dog and her puppies regularly. Check for signs of illness, injury, infection, dehydration, malnutrition, or distress. Seek veterinary help if needed.
- Socialize the puppies gradually. Introduce them to new people, animals, sounds, smells, and objects when they are ready (usually around 3-4 weeks old). Do not force them or overwhelm them with too much stimulation at once. Let the mother dog supervise and join the interaction if she wants to.
- Train the puppies early. Teach them basic commands such as sit, stay, come, leave it, etc. Reward them with praise, treats, toys, or affection when they obey. Correct them with a firm but gentle voice when they misbehave. Do not use physical punishment or harsh words, as this may scare or hurt them.
- Spay or neuter the mother dog and her puppies. This will prevent unwanted pregnancies, reduce hormonal fluctuations, and lower the risk of certain diseases and cancers.
Conclusion
Dogs place their puppies in their mouth for numerous reasons, such as carrying, grooming, or disciplining them. This is normally a normal and harmless habit that displays the mother’s love and concern for her offspring. However, sometimes this conduct may suggest a problem or a hazard, such as a health issue, an accident, or a psychiatric condition. In these instances, you should intervene and seek expert aid as quickly as possible. You can also prevent or decrease this behavior by providing a pleasant and safe environment, monitoring the mother and her puppies, socializing and teaching the puppies, and spaying or neutering them.
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Why Does My Dog Keep Putting Her Puppy in Her Mouth?
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