How Do Father Dogs React to Their Puppies?
Every male dog is different from their puppies. Reactions range from affectionate to aggressive, which makes it crucial to be careful with their first meeting. There are several traits that father dogs exhibit when meeting their puppies for the first time:
Some dogs react with jealousy towards new puppies because of the attention they garner from their owners. Even the mother is often showered with more affection (after all, she just gave birth or is actively nursing). This can lead to direct or indirect aggression on behalf of a male towards the mother and pups.
In a best-case scenario, jealousy is exhibited as avoidance. Father dogs may simply remove themselves from the situation or avoid interacting with the puppies altogether. Be sure to give him love and attention if he’s pouty to ensure he knows he’s still a valued member of the family.
Some dogs exhibit jealousy by physically interfering with their interactions with the puppies. This behavior can be dangerous. Even if they don’t intend to harm the puppies, they can do so by stepping on them. Mother dogs are very protective of their babies and will have no problem lashing out with aggression at a male dog that gets too close.
There is also the possibility of the father dog acting out aggressively towards the puppies and attacking them. An adult dog can easily kill or seriously injure puppies.
Without paternal instincts drawing them to their puppies, many father dogs are simply indifferent to them. They ignore them or have no interest in interacting with them whatsoever. While this seems somewhat cruel to us, it’s the most common reaction for father dogs and one that doesn’t put the puppies in danger.
While it’s not common, some father dogs will react lovingly to their puppies and assist in their care. They can be found cuddling with their puppies, cleaning them, or even gently carrying them around in their mouths. Owners who have experienced this behavior often see it as proof that father dogs recognize their pups, but it’s not necessarily true.
Dogs who are naturally more affectionate and loving by nature may simply recognize the puppies’ vulnerability and act accordingly. Rather than a case of parental instincts, it’s usually a result of an empathetic dog.
Does A Father Dog Know His Puppies?
It’s a very complex question and one that is very hard to answer, because we cannot ask a dog, and have to look at their behavior instead.
Father dogs can actually become jealous, and feel rejected because of the attention the puppies receive from the mother dog, and from us humans.
However, there is no proof that a father dog will recognize that a litter of puppies is his, but we have no way of knowing!
How Do Male Dogs React To Their Puppies?
Every single dog is different, and will react differently towards its puppies.
Whilst some breeds are known to be gentler than others, you really cannot predict how a male dog will react to a litter of puppies, even when they are his own.
This is why you have to exercise caution when introducing a male dog, or a father dog with the new litter of puppies.
Some will be very loving and gentle, whereas others can become jealous, threatened or aggressive.
For instance, some stud dogs or father dogs can grow jealous of all of the care and attention the puppies are getting from the mother, or from others in the household, including you!
This can manifest itself through aggression, or destructive behavior as they try to regain your full attention.
In other cases, a jealous father dog may sulk a lot, and hide away somewhere, avoiding you and the new litter entirely.
If this is the case, then he may need a little bit of attention and head scratches.
Other stud dogs may try to get in between you and the puppies, and may clamber on top of them to get your attention.
This is not only dangerous for the puppies as they can be trampled, but the mother may also try to attack the father to protect her puppies.
You do not want a dog fight or any risk to come to you or the puppies, so keep the father dog away if this happens.
On the other hand, the father dog can feel completely indifferent to the puppies, will ignore them, and have no paternal bond to them whatsoever.
Many male dogs have no interest in rearing puppies, and will simply avoid them.
In very rare circumstances, a stud dog will care for the litter like the mother would.
They may sleep with the puppies, clean them, play with them and be very gentle towards them.
However, this does not mean that they know they are their father.
Dogs that react this way simply understand that puppies are small, vulnerable and in need of care.
They are very empathetic towards them, and will try to protect and keep them safe.
Do Father Dogs Know Their Own Puppies? A Guide To Male Dogs And Their Puppies
It’s pretty much clear and general knowledge that female dogs can recognize their puppies. But, do male dogs know their puppies?
Most breeders always wonder whether male dogs actually know their puppies. Do they know when they’ve impregnated a female dog? And if so, are they able to trace and be part of the family? Do they feel sad when they are separated from their puppies?
For breeders who breed multiple female dogs with just one of two male dogs, it’s highly unlikely that the male dogs will be able to know each of the puppies. How about in a multi-dog house, where male and female dogs breed and sire puppies; are they able to recognize their puppies?
In this article, we will dive deep into whether male dogs know their puppies or not as well as whether male dogs actually have any fatherly instincts.