Due to their strong maternal instincts, female dogs typically go above and beyond to care for and protect their litters of puppies. Male dogs are not nearly as capable of raising children as female dogs. The majority of the time, male dogs don’t act like fathers to their puppies.
Mother dogs are extremely busy after they give birth. They have a lot to do, including cleaning and caring for their helpless young puppies. According to California-based veterinarian Glenn Craft, they typically prefer the fathers being away initially, usually for the first four weeks. When caring for their young, mother dogs occasionally find the males to be a nuisance. Mother dogs may also be concerned that the males will treat the vulnerable puppies harshly. When the puppies reach the 4-week mark in a litter you are caring for, you might think about letting the father see them. At this time, mother dogs typically begin weaning their pups.
Even though they aren’t typically the best parents, male dogs can occasionally be beneficial to puppies. Fathers can serve as role models for their children, especially when it comes to canine play and social behavior. He can also teach the young puppies about canine social hierarchy. Being a dog involves a lot of status, which is related to their wild “pack” origins. It isnt uncommon to see puppies copy their fathers actions. If the children are fully weaned, you might think about letting the father play with them under your watchful supervision. Usually, puppies are completely weaned between the ages of 7 and 8 weeks.
You can introduce the male dog to his puppies by bringing them to him alone, without their mother. If you decide to have the father visit the puppies himself, you should first gently hold the mother back to prevent any potential conflict. It’s crucial to ensure that the mother dog never perceives the father as a threat. Shes extremely defensive of her puppies, after all. Ensure that the mother is aware that she is still in charge. Remove the father from the area right away if you notice any signs of envy. Envious male dogs sometimes hurt their youngsters. Always keep an eye on interactions between a male dog and his puppies, especially at first when you’re not sure how they’ll get along.
Although male dogs may occasionally act violently toward their offspring out of envy, this is by no means the norm. According to author Gino Pugnetti, male dogs rarely act aggressively toward their puppies. They tend to display positive intentions toward their puppies. They frequently even defend their puppies if they believe they are in danger.
Do Father Dogs Have Paternal Instincts?
It is generally accepted that male dogs lack paternal instincts and are unable to recognize their own puppies. Instead of being unique to their own litters, their paternal instincts are more general.
Dogs treat puppies differently from adult dogs because they perceive them as immature pack members. Even male dogs exhibit protective behavior toward puppies, but only those to which they have given birth. Domestic dogs don’t display paternal behavior, whereas wolves and wild dogs do. This is probably the outcome of decades of human involvement in the lives and breeding of dogs.
Male dogs aren’t kept around for the birth and raising of puppies because humans have actively interfered with dogs’ breeding processes and raising litters of puppies. They’re not required to provide protection or hunt for food. Additionally, they are not required to teach puppies their place in the pack hierarchy. These jobs are completed by human owners.
Some male dogs behave rough or aggressively around their puppies because they are not actively incorporated into their families after mating. Others naturally adopt pups into their pack. It’s best to introduce a father dog gradually because there’s no way to predict how a male dog will react to his litter.
How Do Father Dogs React to Their Puppies?
Every male dog is different from their puppies. It’s critical to exercise caution when they first meet because responses can range from adoring to hostile. When meeting their puppies for the first time, father dogs display a number of characteristics, including:
Due to the attention that new puppies receive from their owners, some dogs react jealously towards them. Given that she recently gave birth or is currently nursing, even mothers frequently receive more love. This may cause a male to act aggressively toward the mother and young either directly or indirectly.
In a best-case scenario, jealousy is exhibited as avoidance. It’s possible for father dogs to simply leave the situation or stop interacting with the puppies. If he is pouty, make sure to show him love and affection to let him know he is still a valued member of the family.
Some dogs show their jealousy by obstructing their interactions with the puppies physically. This behavior can be dangerous. They can hurt the puppies even if they don’t mean to by stepping on them. Mother dogs are fiercely protective of their young and will not hesitate to attack any approaching male dogs.
Additionally, it’s possible that the father dog will attack the puppies if he exhibits aggressive behavior. An adult dog can easily kill or seriously injure puppies.
Many father dogs simply don’t care about their puppies because they don’t feel any maternal instincts. They don’t pay attention to them or show no interest in interacting with them at all. Although it seems cruel to us, this is the most typical response from father dogs, and it doesn’t endanger the puppies.
Although it is uncommon, some father dogs will respond to their puppies with love and provide for them. They are frequently seen kissing, cleaning, and even gently carrying their puppies around in their mouths. Owners who have observed this behavior frequently interpret it as evidence that father dogs are aware of their puppies, but this isn’t always the case.
Naturally affectionate and loving dogs may simply be aware of the puppies’ vulnerability and act in accordance with that awareness. Instead of being the result of parental instincts, an understanding dog usually causes it.
Do Male Dogs Have a Parental Instinct?
Humans are hardwired to do both, so the idea of recognizing your offspring and displaying parental instinct is deeply ingrained in our minds.
Male dogs can recognize a puppy, but that’s not the same as displaying parental instincts.
Despite the fact that they might not be able to recognize their own puppies, male dogs still have some parental instincts. It’s interesting to note that not only do they have parental instincts for their own puppies. Instead, they’ll typically accord equal treatment to every dog in their pack (or home).
However, mother dogs will not only identify and care for their puppies, but they will also reject litters that aren’t their own.
FAQ
Do boy dogs care about their puppies?
Mother dogs tend to be protective and nurturing. However, male dogs—at least the domesticated male dogs we keep as pets today—do not possess the same level of fatherly instincts. In actuality, father dogs frequently show a general lack of interest in their puppies.
Do puppies recognize their dad?
According to studies, if their parents were present during a critical early period of their lives, dogs can recognize them later in life.
Should the male dog stay away from puppies?
This depicts the neonatal stage, when the puppies are referred to as “newborns.” The male dog needs to completely avoid us during this phase, and we need to interact with him as little as possible. Only when the mother or puppies’ safety is in danger should we step in.
Do dogs know who their puppies are?
After a few days without contact, female dogs will always recognize and remember their puppies. This is especially true when the puppies are young. The mother’s protective instinct will be stronger toward a puppy the more helpless and vulnerable they are.