Yes, dogs often misbehave or act out during a human's pregnancy due to sensing hormonal changes, increased stress, or changes in routine, leading to behaviors like house soiling, chewing, anxiety, clinginess, or even aggression, though some dogs become more protective or calm, as reactions vary widely. It's common for dogs to act out from stress or jealousy over less attention, but it's crucial to maintain their care and routine to help them adjust to the impending arrival of the baby.
You might find they want to be by your side more, or a bit less. They might seem anxious or quiet. Or you might not notice much difference in how they behave. You can use this time to help your dog adjust to having a baby in the household.
Dogs often do act differently when an owner is pregnant. It's quite common. They kind of know what's going on, but it's new and can be a little stressful, and it's kind of encoded into them to be extra protective of their people when their people are with child.
Increased affection for — and protection of — the pregnant woman. Agitation, growling, barking and/or being uncooperative. Urinating around the house. Chewing new items brought into the house for the baby.
Dogs may develop anxiety and territorial behavior changes during household stress or routine shifts. Behavioral changes like growling, fear, and aggression in dogs during an owner's pregnancy often stem from stress or confusion.
Some of the most common reasons for sudden aggressive behavior in dogs include a fear or anxiety being triggered, a sudden pain or the onset of an illness, resource guarding (when your dog wants to protect something they see as theirs, like a toy or their food bowl), and changes in environment or routine.
This is because the dog sees that just one person if correcting them, enforcing the commands, doing all the pack leadership things that are built into the training, etc. So, the dog simply learns, “I have to listen to and respect this person; however, not so much this other person.”
As she explains, there is not an exact known time when dogs have been proven to perceive hormone-related changes in human pregnancy; however, there are significant hormonal changes that begin the second week after fertilization.
There's a reason dogs might seem more inseparable from their pregnant owners, as the parents-to-be get further along in their pregnancies. Not only do pups notice growing baby bumps, but some experts believe dogs can pick up on a change in scent from expectant mothers, according to the American Kennel Club.
According to Dr. Ostermeier, “There really is no specific indication with scientific proof to say if a dog is 'sensing' a pregnancy.” Some dogs might start acting differently when you're expecting. But since our dogs can't explain themselves to us, we can only observe that behavior and make educated guesses.
You might feel like they're giving you the cold shoulder. But don't take it personally—yet. Dogs often disengage when they feel stressed, scared, or unsure. It could also be that they're tired, not feeling well, or simply overstimulated.
Seek Professional Support
Therapy is a really effective treatment for mental health issues. Therapy for pregnancy anger can allow you to explore and understand your anger and irritation. You can discover your triggers and learn new ways of managing pregnancy-related anger.
In the first trimester, avoid alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and high-mercury fish; skip hot tubs/saunas and strenuous exercise; steer clear of raw/undercooked foods (meat, eggs, sprouts) and unpasteurized dairy; limit caffeine (under 200mg/day); don't clean litter boxes; and consult your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements.
“Many people report that their dogs are more affectionate and/or protective during their pregnancies,” says Barrack. “Presumably, these behavioral changes are due to changes in a pregnant owner's mood coupled with hormonal and scent changes.”
Dr. Rachel Barrack, DVM, owner of Animal Acupuncture in New York City, says many pregnant people report that their dogs are more affectionate or protective during their pregnancy. “It's likely due to the scent and your hormones, as well as possible changes in your mood,” she explains.
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.
You can tell if a dog is sad by noticing changes in behavior, body language, and energy, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, hiding, lack of interest in play, a low or tucked tail, flattened ears, excessive licking/pacing, or increased inappropriate urination, all signaling potential depression or unhappiness that often requires a vet visit to rule out medical issues.
When combined with the shock absorbers of the amniotic fluid and the weight you gain during pregnancy, your baby is padded from the effects of most daily abdominal contact. Abdominal trauma is different. Vehicle accidents, falls, and overzealous lifting can be forceful enough to harm the baby.
It's common for dogs to go on alert and become overprotective of their expecting owner from the very beginning of her pregnancy. Behaviorists have witnessed dogs growl, bark, or even block doors with their bodies to prevent other family members - even the baby's father - from coming into the same room as the mom-to-be.
Older dogs with vision or hearing loss, or those experiencing cognitive decline, can suddenly become clingy because their world is becoming unfamiliar to them. Dogs who are ill or bored can also become clingy. Talk to your vet to understand what might be causing the sudden clingy behavior.
"Pets, particularly dogs and cats, have highly developed olfactory senses that allow them to detect subtle hormonal changes in humans, including those associated with pregnancy," says Susan NilsonOpens a new window, a cat and dog training and behavior specialist and the owner and founder of The Cat and Dog House, which ...
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.