Why Doesn T My Male Dog Like His Puppies?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Your dog may act like they hate puppies, but that's not necessarily what's going on. There are a number of reasons an older dog might not want to deal with a puppy, from

their inability to read social and physical cues to the relentless invasion of your adult dog's personal space

.

Why do dog dads not like their puppies?

Why do Father Dogs Attack Their Puppies? There are multiple reasons why father dogs may attack their puppies including

jealousy, the allowance of another mating, and anxiety or over-stimulation from the puppies

. If a dog is jealous of the puppies getting your attention, he may try to get your attention.

Should father dog be around the puppies?

The father — and all other dogs —

should be kept away from the mother during the final three weeks of her pregnancy

. During birth and for the next three weeks, he should be kept away from both her and the litter. Otherwise, he may unwittingly spread an infection with the potential to cut his pups' lives short.

Should a male dog meet his puppies?

Male dog meeting the puppies


The first 15 days or so after your female dog gives birth are when it's most important to keep the male dog away

. This is when the puppies are considered newborns, and when the mother is going to be closest with them.

What if my dog doesn't like my new puppy?


Introduce valuable items like toys slowly

As you see that they're getting along, introduce toys that your older dog doesn't really care about and that are safe for the puppy. Or bring in new toys as long as the older dog doesn't guard them. Have one handler play with the puppy and another with the adult dog.

What do I do if my dog doesn't like my new puppy?

Try to give your adult dog other things to do, particularly relaxing things like

nosework, training games, and impulse control games

. When your dog doesn't like puppies, you need training.

Will a male dog mate with his puppies?

Mating With Offspring


, for example, have no hesitation in mating with their daughters

. This doesn't apply only to father and daughter dogs. When boy dogs reach sexual maturity, they frequently mate with their siblings. They also may do the same with their mothers.

When can a male dog breed?

Small breeds tend to mature faster than large breeds. On average, however,

males become fertile after six months of age and reach full sexual maturity by 12 to 15 months

. Healthy stud dogs may remain sexually active and fertile to old age. Adult males are able to mate at any time.

Will a mother dog be sad when her puppies leave?


As long as puppies are removed from eight weeks onwards and are given to owners gradually and not all in one go, she will soon be feeling herself

. If a litter is removed from a mother all in one go this could greatly upset her due to the immediate change causing anxiety.

Does a dog change after having puppies?


Many mother dogs display behavioral changes after giving birth

, and these can range from mild to extreme. Depending on the cause, uncharacteristic dog behavior after having puppies rarely lasts more than a few weeks before a new mom begins acting more like herself again.

What do male dogs do when a woman gives birth?


Keep Dad away during birth, and keep him away from Mama and the pups for a few weeks after

, too. Mother dogs with newborn puppies have jam-packed schedules full of nursing, nursing and more nursing, and the fathers being around can be bothersome. They also might be a little too overzealous around delicate young pups.

Do dogs know who their Dad is?


Studies show dogs can recognize their parents and siblings

, but whether that recognition is based on scent or some other factor is still not known for certain. Although adult dogs can recognize close relatives, that ability depends on what happened to the dog as a puppy during a short window of time.

How do male dogs know their puppies?

It's generally recognized that

male dogs don't recognize their own puppies

and that they do not harbor paternal instincts. Their paternal instincts are generalized rather than specific to their own litters. Dogs recognize puppies as immature pack members and treat them differently than adult dogs.

What age can a dog father puppies?

Sexual maturity in puppies typically begins to occur

between 6-to-9 months of age

, although certain giant breeds may not reach sexual maturity until they are older.

Do dog fathers raise puppies?

But this isn't true with domesticated dogs, Siracusa notes. As gentle and affectionate as dogs often are with human children, male dogs invest very little effort into paternal care when their own babies are born.

Puppy-raising is almost entirely the mom's job

. This, per Siracusa, can have big consequences for strays.

How can I get my dog to bond with my new puppy?

  1. Tip #1: Have an Extra Set of Hands. …
  2. Tip #2: Have Separate Spaces for the Dogs for the First Week. …
  3. Tip #3: Reward Good Behavior. …
  4. Tip #4: Be Patient and Calm. …
  5. Tip #5: Be Aware.

How long will it take for my dog to get used to a new puppy?

After what seems like an eternity but is really only

about three weeks

, you'll begin to notice some signs of harmony between the dog and the puppy. If you have done your part helping the dog and puppy develop their communication skills, this is the beginning of a fabulous friendship—or at least a peaceful co-existence.

How do I get my dog to accept a new puppy?

  1. Head to the meeting spot with the dogs separately.
  2. Try bringing the dogs together and let them greet each other. …
  3. Expect the dogs to sniff, circle, play, urinate or simply ignore each other. …
  4. If the animals try to fight, it's time to intervene. …
  5. Keep the initial interaction brief.

Should I let my older dog growl at my puppy?

That precious puppy has to learn boundaries and how to behave, and the older dog is the one to teach him. But more than this,

it's wrong to punish the older dog for growling, as his behavior is completely natural.

How do I stop my dog from being jealous of a new puppy?

  1. Keep notes on the circumstances that cause signs of jealousy/aggression. …
  2. Don't give one pet more attention than another.
  3. Help your dog feel safe and relaxed in their crate so they see it as their own safe space. …
  4. Feed pets separately to avoid conflict during mealtimes.

Is it normal for an older dog to snap at a puppy?

The older dog will freeze, growl, and potentially snap. This may seem scary to humans, but

it's the older dog's way of teaching the young dog to learn respect

. It should be mentioned that just like humans, some dogs find puppies exhausting and would rather not spend their time around them – and that's totally fine.

Can a male dog get his daughter pregnant?

Conclusion.

Never crossbreed a father dog with its daughter

. Although there are chances of having a healthy dog, the risk of ending up with a dog with serious health issues is even greater. Inbreeding reduces the offspring's genetic variability, their life span and makes them more prone to hereditary diseases.

How do I know if my male dog wants to mate?

Signs that your dog has reached proestrus include

a swollen vulva, bloody discharge, excessive licking of the genitals, clingy behavior, and of course, aggression toward males

. The animal may also hold her tail close to her body to ward off unwanted advances.

What are signs of inbred dogs?


Severe separation anxiety, impulsive behaviors (compulsively chasing vehicles or running out into the street), fearfulness, and even a complete lack of affection for their human family

are all more common in inbred dogs. While many dog breeds have high degrees of inbreeding, some are worse than others.

How can I get my male dog to breed?


Give him a toy or a piece of material that has the female dog's scent on it

. This will get him interested in the way that the female dog smells, and will help make him more ready for breeding. Put him in the presence of the female dog that is in heat. Let him sniff her and begin the mating rituals.

How can I increase my male dogs fertility?

  1. Test Your Dog for Brucella Canis.
  2. Less Grains, More Fats and Proteins. Proteins. …
  3. Treat All Bacterial Infections. …
  4. Clear Your Dog from Hypothyroidism.
  5. Schedule Bacteriological Examination. …
  6. Switch to a Homemade Dog Diet.
  7. Administer Vitamin E.
  8. Increase the Dog's Essential Fatty Acid Intake.

How do you calm a male dog in heat?

  1. Separate the Dogs. This should be done to prevent unwanted pregnancy. …
  2. Hide the Female's Scent. Image Credit: Zmaj88, Shutterstock. …
  3. Exercise. Get your male dog out of the house as much as possible. …
  4. Try a Menthol Spray.
Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.