Here's why:
* Lack of Awareness: Dogs don't understand the connection between mating and pregnancy. They may associate their interaction with a female dog with the eventual appearance of puppies, but they don't grasp the biological link.
* Focus on Scent: Dogs primarily rely on scent for recognition and communication. While they may recognize their own puppies through scent, they wouldn't be able to determine if they are the father.
* No Parental Instincts (Initially): Male dogs don't typically have strong parental instincts towards puppies, especially if they aren't their own.
Important Note: While a male dog may not consciously know if he's a father, he may show some behavior changes around his puppies, such as:
* Protectiveness: He may become more protective of his female mate and puppies.
* Affection: He may show affection towards the puppies, particularly if they smell like their mother.
However, these behaviors are more likely driven by instinct and scent than by a conscious understanding of paternity.