Leerburg » Q&A » Maternal Aggression in Dogs

Maternal Aggression in Dogs

Females with new born pups can often become aggressive to family members. The whelping area needs to be quiet, free of human traffic and secure. Sometimes this maternal aggression towards family members only lasts a week, where as maternal aggression towards strangers can be permanent.

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Recently I read your article on how to separate a dog fight. I must say this did come in handy. Picking them up by the hind legs worked. We have a Rotti and a Pit Bull boxer mix. They did get along well until the Rotti had 3 puppies. Unfortunately 2 died. The 3rd puppy is healthy and I might add is in a new home. This is when the fighting began. I will not tolerate the situation, so I keep them separate at all times. Luckily for me the Rotti does listen to me and does not show or has shown any aggression towards me. Since reading your articles I have pulled out the old prong collar and have bought some muzzles. I just wanted to say thank you for having this sight. Sometimes you feel like you’re all alone in these situations. We also do have an outside kennel, this is where the Rotti goes when I'm at work.

Thanks for your advice. Please people out there, if you see your dogs fighting, don't think it is a one time thing, it will continue. Please listen to Mr. Frawley or get rid of one of the dogs.

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My husband’s lab has always been very well behaved, but has become increasingly aggressive toward other dogs. After she attacked each of my (small breed) dogs we started keeping them separated at all times and still do. She became pregnant recently and this morning, delivered and killed all 9 puppies. The day before delivery, she became very aggressive toward me and actually attacked me. Was this a normal reaction of a pregnant dog? When we tried to rescue the final pup from her, she nearly took my husband’s arm off. Of course, we felt that she was protecting her pup. Our vet has recommended putting her down, but others tell us her behavior is not acceptable but not abnormal, and that we would be making a mistake by terminating her life. We, of course, are concerned that she may snap again. Any advice would be appreciated.

Vicki