My Dog is Treating Her Play Toy Like a Puppy

All dogs have their quirks -- and you know your dog's quirks better than anyone else -- so, you can judge if certain behavior is out of the ordinary. Some behaviors, which may appear like quirks, can actually point to a more serious underlying issue. One such behavior sees female dogs treating their toys like puppies. While this may be cute, there is a very strong natural reason why your dog is doing this.

  1. Cause

    • The most likely cause of your dog mothering her toys is false, or phantom pregnancy. This is brought on by a hormonal imbalance during the estrus cycle. A sequence of hormonal releases occur during the estrus cycle. The final release of hormones turns off the dog's sexual urges, until her next season. If the hormone release in the final phase of the cycle is smaller than usual, for example due to ill health or malnutrition, the dog's body may begin to prepare for gestation, regardless of impregnation. This causes a new hormonal process to unfold. Your dog is instinctively inclined to behave in a certain way, if her body tells her she is pregnant. But since she won't give birth to the puppies, her body tells he she has, your dog's instincts drive her to find other ways of expressing those motherly urges. Small items, such as toys, are the perfect vehicle for to her carry out these urges.

    Accompanying Symptoms

    • The range of symptoms your dog displays depend entirely on the severity of the chemical imbalance. In extreme cases, dogs may lactate and experience a phantom labor, where the body releases the hormones it ordinarily would just before the puppies are born. This can be distressing for the dog and you should consult your vet at the first sign of lactation. In less severe cases, your dog may start nesting and preparing her space for labor.

    Your Reaction

    • Treat your dog's mothering behavior as if it were real. She is being governed by instinct and is doing as nature tells her. If you try to remove the toys from her basket, she may well react as if you were taking her puppies. This may lead to aggression and distress.

    Solution

    • In mild cases, your dog's hormonal balance will return to normal in approximately three weeks; after which time, her behavior will return to normal too. In extreme cases, your vet may prescribe diuretic medicines to control the lactation and hormonal treatments to restore the dog's natural hormonal balance.