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Is this Mothering / Den Instincts?

Last post 11-02-2007 11:13 PM by pheryn. 5 replies.
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  • 11-02-2007 1:18 AM

    • pheryn
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    Is this Mothering / Den Instincts?

    So When I first got Harley, one of her very fist toy was this little, white pillow shaped squeeky toy. Well out of all of her toys - she picked that as her favorite (even over the loofa dog).

    When I am in my room, I would see her bring the toy in, have it in her mouth, and she would walk around, trying to find a perfect spot, and she would eventually always keep it under my bed (which she has deemed as her safe spot - her open door crate in my room being the second). She sleeps with the thing - as a pillow sometimes, which is really cute, or she would try to get on my bed with it, or sleep on my big, pink chair (which is her "bed" when I am sleeping on my bed and she hasn't been invited up yet).

    I started thinking - with her being all white too - that maybe she sees that thing as a little version of herself? as a puppy? She wont even touch her other toys (the loofa dog is the only other thing she would touch, and only if she cant find her white squeeky). But she did pull out a ghost plushie I had in my plushie box which is also under my bed (yes it was white too! And you would think - with all the other plushies in there - it would be toy heaven).

    Today, I bought two more of the same thing, different shapes, one star and one bone. Her pillow one is still under my bed. I was in the living room. She picked one up in her mouth immediately - and started pacing the living room trying to find a "den". She tried the couches, the space between the couches, she even started pawing the DVD cabinet to see if she could fit inside. She couldnt find her "den" so she ended up putting the toy in between pillows.

    So yeah - what is up with that? Its really cute but I dont want to just say "aww how cute!" when it could be a potential psychological thing. I truly believe, with her not being spayed, being 2 years old, that she has had puppies before. Could it be? Is there any way to tell? I say this because her nipples stick out - like she's carried milk before maybe? Or am I really just over analyzing over this and writing an essay of my dog's quirks.

    I truly apologize for my novel post. But any insight or stories of your own dogs doing similar things would be great.


    Nikki 's Harley!
    Dogster
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  • 11-02-2007 1:47 PM In reply to pheryn

    • Cita
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    Re: Is this Mothering / Den Instincts?

     Haha, you don't have to apologize for your post! Rascal will take toys to his "den" too, even though he's male and the toys look nothing like puppies. It could be maternal instinct, it could also be instinct to guard/hide "valuables," I really have no idea! Sound awfully cute though :)

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  • 11-02-2007 2:03 PM In reply to pheryn

    Re: Is this Mothering / Den Instincts?

    Unspayed females often have false pregnacies where they go through physical and behavioral changes that they would if they were pregnant.  They do den up and often "baby" their toys.  How long ago was your girl's last heat?  A dog's pregnancy last 9 weeks and they typically show the behavioral changes around the time they would be delivering.

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  • 11-02-2007 2:48 PM In reply to GoldenAC

    • pheryn
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    Re: Is this Mothering / Den Instincts?

    Thank you for your responses!

    Rascal sounds like Harley's kind of dog :)

    As far as her heat - I dont know since I've only had her for three weeks. It could be very possible that could be it though, my sister mentioned a few days ago that her nipples looked perkier than normal - I thought it was just the cold weather.

    I wonder if it will change - since she is getting spayed as we speak O-o. I'm so nervous.


    Nikki 's Harley!
    Dogster
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  • 11-02-2007 7:15 PM In reply to pheryn

    Re: Is this Mothering / Den Instincts?

    It should change, but not until about 12 weeks after she was in heat.  Her hormone cycle will follow its course this last time even though she is now spayed.  It shouldn't cause her any permanent problems and will probably always like her small white toys.

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  • 11-02-2007 11:13 PM In reply to GoldenAC

    • pheryn
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    Re: Is this Mothering / Den Instincts?

    Good to know! Thank you so much.

    And I kind of like it that she likes her small white toys - easy for me to find something that I know will comfort her. 


    Nikki 's Harley!
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