After long months anticipating your dog becoming a mother, dismay follows when she instead shows aggression, avoidance or stress after birthing a healthy litter of puppies you hoped would bond blissfully. Puppy rejection ranges normal to concerning depending varying factors influencing maternal instincts. But no matter the cause, solutions focus first on supporting vulnerable newborns through delicate early stages with an underattached mom.
Why Might Mothers Reject Litters?
Various circumstances trip maternal rejection:
- Physical pain/discomfort post-whelping
- Inexperience raising offspring
- Environmental chaos overwhelming calm
- Human interference with bonding rituals
- Anxiety, insecurity or lack of confidence
- Traumatic or forced breeding context
- Health issues like fever or infection
Essentially disruptions to expecting quiet post-birth privacy with offspring disturb critically sensitive imprinting time.
Signs of Puppy Rejection
Be alert to problem signs like:
- Aggression – Growling, nipping around puppies
- Avoidance – Leaving or trying to escape whelping area
- Disinterest – Ignoring nursing/cleaning needs
- Stress signals – Panting, pacing, inability settling
While vigilantly monitoring mom’s interactions, prioritize ensuring every puppy stays warm, well-fed and cared for despite her absence.
Caring for Orphaned Puppies
Ideally mom will adjust becoming more attentive after veterinary assessments, medication if warranted, increased privacy and behavior support. But if complete abandonment occurs, intensive at-home orphaned pup care involves:
- Feeding – Bottle feed puppy formula every 2-4 hours
- Potties – Massaging genitals with wet cloth for urination/defecation
- Warmth – Heating pad under blankets in draft-free box
- Socialization – Brief gentle cuddling and handling
Meanwhile, contact exotic animal rescuers or veterinary behaviorists guiding intensive rejection cases should complications exceed typical at-home breeder capabilities. Each puppy proves too precious losing without exhaustive nurturing attempts getting struggling moms back on track bonding healthily. But if not, rally reinforcements ensuring every pup thrives where able through compassionate teamwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a rejected puppy still nurse if I hold them to mom?
Yes, try reintroducing hungry rejected puppies if mom allows controlled proximity like this without aggression. The feeding reward may help awaken her instincts to accept them.
Is this related to mastitis or postpartum depression?
Possibly. Hormone crashes, pain from birthing trauma or infections absolutely contribute to pup rejection risks. Veterinary exams help diagnose underlying causes for proper treatment.
Should I spay my dog if she rejects multiple litters?
Unless a competitive breeding program willing to intensely assist high-risk pregnancies, the emotional toll on moms and mortality risk to vulnerable puppies argues ethically against future attempts birthing litters with previously rejecting dams. Spaying prevents this behavioral and ethical strain.
Rather than shaming struggling moms, recognize environmental factors setting her up for bonding failure despite strong maternal drives. With support fixing circumstances enabling natural connections, both mom and babies may still nurture each other through beautiful lifesaving relationships.
