Does my dog know I'm pregnant?
Who's the moody one, again?
Artiga Photo/Corbis
All dogs react differently to a pregnant owner -- some become protective, others more fearful and still others remain indifferent. As your waist expands, their reactions may vary. Your new gait may invoke a protective dog to become your constant escort or send a timid dog to his favorite hiding spot. Dogs that were never lap dogs may suddenly have a newfound interest in snuggling.
This atypical behavior could be due to physical changes your dog has sensed within you, but it's more likely he's reacting to environmental changes that are occurring at home as a result of your pregnancy.
"Dogs are students of our routine," Willis says. "Any change, such as different work hours, exercise or bedtime, is very prominent to a dog."
Perhaps you're waking up more often at night, or coming home from work earlier. Even seeing you cleaning or redecorating a room can alter a dog's view of the world.
Even when you weren't pregnant, you probably noticed that emotions -- anger, sorrow or elation -- all triggered a reaction in your dog. So if pregnancy has you riding the emotional roller coaster, your dog is probably along for the ride, too.
Your dog also may be sensing shifts in the family pack order. Your increased fatigue may make you seem vulnerable, or your husband's sudden fervor to get things done around the house may make him appear more dominant.
You'll never know what your dog is thinking, but you do want to keep him happy. On the next page, we'll look at how you can do that.
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