How Will the Male Dog React to the Newborn Puppies?

The role of the female dog in the rearing of puppies is well-known, but many people are unsure of how the stud dog is involved in the development of puppies. Granted, the female dog does the bulk of the work, but the male dog plays a big part in influencing the puppy's understanding of the natural social order of dogs. While it may not be physically necessary to have the male dog interact with the litter, it is beneficial in the long run for the puppy understanding his place in the family, both dog and human.

  1. Reaction to Pregnancy and Birth

    • Keep the stud dog away from the female during the last few weeks of the pregnancy and the actual birth. The male dog is obsessed with the smells given off by the onslaught of hormones associated with pregnancy and birth. He will annoy the female dog to no end and become fascinated with her rear end. When the puppies arrive, the male dog will just be a distraction. He will want to play with the puppies, who are not completely developed and ready for this level of interaction. Also, the female dog is very protective of the puppies at this stage. Keep the male dog away from the litter for the first several weeks until the puppies are ready to function without the mother.

    Introduction

    • Introduce the male dog to the litter at about five or six weeks. At this point, the puppies should be on their feet and ready for action. The hormones of pregnancy are gone now, so the male will be less interested in the female dog and more intrigued by the litter. Always monitor the situation when the male is interacting with the puppies; the adult dog may get too rough playing with the pups. The male dog cannot always tell when the puppies are ready to start engaging in normal dog social interaction.

    Social Order

    • The male dog is instrumental in helping the puppies understand the natural social order of dogs. Dogs have a pack mentality, and the puppies will learn how this works from a male dog already initiated. Hopefully, the pack leader here is the human owner and not the male dog. In any case, the puppies will quickly ascertain who is the leader and follow accordingly.

    Father Figure

    • The male dog is helpful in the rearing of the puppy as it heads toward adulthood, but don't be alarmed if the situation does not allow for the actual father of the litter to interact with them. Any well-adjusted adult male dog will have the same effect on the puppies as the actual father himself. The natural order of dogs causes a male to coach the puppies in their dog way. This is a good thing; so many litters are born with the owners unsure who the father actually is. A substitute father figure for the puppies is just as successful.