Can a Mother Dog be protective of her Puppies?
Yes, a mother dog is naturally protective of her puppies due to powerful maternal instincts amplified by hormonal changes, such as surges in oxytocin and prolactin, especially during the first few weeks postpartum when puppies are most vulnerable. This protectiveness can manifest as intense vigilance and aggressive behaviors, including growling or snapping, to defend her young against perceived threats from people or other animals.
Why Mother Dogs Are Protective
Hormonal Influence: Hormones like oxytocin and prolactin play a crucial role in a mother dog's maternal behavior, stimulating nurturing instincts and a strong drive to protect her offspring, according to Wisdom Panel.
Instinct to Nurture: New mothers are hardwired to care for their young and ensure their survival, a behavior essential for newborns who are dependent on their mother for warmth and nourishment.
Vulnerability of Puppies: The mother's protective drive is strongest when her puppies are newborns because their eyes and ears are closed, and they are completely reliant on her for survival, according to Wisdom Panel and this YouTube video.
Signs of Protectiveness
Heightened Alertness: A mother dog may remain watchful and rigid, even in familiar environments, if her adult offspring are nearby, notes this Facebook post.
Growling and Snapping: She may growl, snap, or even bite to defend her puppies from perceived threats.
Aggression Towards Strangers: This protectiveness can lead to aggressive behavior, particularly towards unfamiliar people or animals that approach her puppies.
How to Respond
Respect Her Space: Give the mother and her puppies plenty of space, especially in the first few days and weeks after birth.
Be Mindful of Your Actions: Avoid making sudden movements or grabbing for puppies, as this can startle the mother and trigger a protective response.
Can a Male Dog be Protective of HIs mate and Puppies?
a male dog can be protective of a female dog, though their behavior stems more from pack instincts, territoriality, and the individual dog's personality than a specific "paternal" protectiveness over a mate. In domestic dogs, the female's biological drive for protection and nurturing is much stronger than the male's, who often shows little interest in the puppies after mating.
Reasons for protectiveness
Pack Mentality: Male dogs, like their wolf ancestors, can be protective of their pack or family members, especially if they perceive a threat.
Territorial Instincts: Some male dogs are naturally more territorial and may act protectively to defend their space, which can include the female.
Individual Personality: A dog's personality and temperament play a significant role; some individuals are simply more protective than others, regardless of the situation.
Differences between wild and domestic dogs
Wild Canids: In contrast to domestic dogs, wild wolves often engage in pack-based parenting, with males helping to feed, guard, and care for the pups.
Domesticated Dogs: Domesticated male dogs typically lack the same paternal instincts and may return to their usual routine after mating, showing disinterest in the litter.
Practical Considerations
Human Leadership: When a dog is pregnant, the responsibility for protection should primarily rest with the humans, establishing themselves as the pack's "alpha".
Separation: It may be beneficial to separate the pregnant female from the male for a period before and after birth to manage the situation and allow you to better care for the female and her litter.
Buyers
With this consideration, buyers need take above reading into consideration when entering breeders home to meet the dog parents and handeling or picking out puppies, and so with that said after said signed contract and deposit paid buyers take full responsibility when entering home of breeder that if incident occurs regarding puppies or parents it will be upon buyers not breeders if an occurence happens while visiting breeders home. Deposits and other said money paid to breeder will not be refunded nor any legal action be taken toward breeder, nor is it breeders responsibility to compensate if any occurences happen while buyers are at breeders home or facilities, as buyers enter facility or home at own risk as stated in contract as well upon arrival and agreement of signed contract.
Voidance of Contract
A voidable contract is a legally binding agreement that can be canceled or affirmed at the option of one or more of the parties involved, (typically by the breeder) typically due to a defect present when the contract was made, such as misrepresentation, falsifying information, fraud, duress, or the involvement of a minor. Until the affected party chooses to nullify it, a voidable contract remains valid and enforceable. ( Meaning if the breeder finds that buyer falsly stated incorrect information, faked documents, or misrepresented themselves to breeder in any form) it is enforcable by breeder to void contract even after contract signed by all parties and deposit along with partial or all payments have been made if breeder suddenly feels that buyer is unfit to own breeder dog offspring, it is the breeders oblgation to find proper and suitable homes for said dogs offspring that are safe from harm. if breeder asks for additional documentation, references, and/or does homechecks in order to assist find proper homes of breeders dog/offspring and the finding to be unsafe or unsuitable, than it is within the breeders right to void any signed and partial/paid contracts. these contracts also become nonrefunable due to time and energy that it takes for breeders to reenlist offspring to new home, buyer will not be within rights to request funds returned, especially in the case of misrepresentation (documents, homechecks, etc) this releases breeder of any legal recourse from buyer if contract cannot be fullfilled.