Happy moms, happy pups

By Dr. Mikel Delgado, PhD

There are multiple factors that contribute to having a happy, healthy puppy who grows into a happy, healthy adult dog. We know that genetics plays a large part in determining health and well-being, as does a supportive environment that allows for the expression of natural dog behaviors. But did you know that early life experiences are also important? In fact, even experiences while a puppy is in the womb may have an impact on their personality and ability to cope with stressors later in life.

There are multiple studies in rats and humans demonstrating the effects of maternal stress on the health and behavior of offspring. Stress leads to the release of hormones (glucocorticoids) by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis (a system of the body which plays an important role in our responses to stressors). Animals can be exposed to glucocorticoids in the womb if their mother is experiencing prenatal stress. Increased exposure to these hormones can lead to animals who are more reactive as both young animals and much later, as adults.  In addition, stress can lead to higher rates of puppy mortality, low birth weight, and even preterm births.

And it’s not just in the prenatal period that maternal stress can be a problem: stress hormones can also be passed down through the mother’s milk. In addition, puppies who experience extreme stress (such as the prolonged absence of the mother) in the first few weeks of life may also be more easily stressed as adults. 

Given the very complex relationship between stress, illness, and behavioral problems, we want to do everything we can to reduce the chances that puppies are exposed to abnormal levels of stress hormones in the womb or when young. Although we currently lack studies on the effects of prenatal stress in dogs, there are similarities in brain structures and hormonal systems across species that mean stress responses are also likely similar. That’s why we suggest erring on the side of caution to protect pups!

Low-stress success

Set up your breeding program for low-stress success. Some things you can do:

• Consider temperament when making breeding decisions - dogs who have issues with anxiety or reactivity may not be good candidates for breeding
• Provide your breeding dogs with daily exercise and enrichment
• Avoid transporting your dog during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary
• Avoid buying/selling/rehoming pregnant dogs
• Train your dogs to tolerate or enjoy riding in the car so veterinary visits and transport aren’t stressful
• Use a veterinarian who practices FearFree ® or low stress handling
• If you are a breeder who utilizes guardian homes, make sure that the guardian owner provides items from home that smell familiar, and the dog’s favorite toys or bedding for their stay with you 
• Keep the whelping area quiet, temperature-controlled, and comfortable for your dog
• Other animals should be kept out of the whelping room
• During whelping or nursing, give the bitch her space, but help as needed
• Use pheromones or dog-friendly music to help soothe your dog

Remember that a calm, safe environment will help your breeding dogs take care of their pups. When moms feel unsafe they may be inclined to avoid their puppies, show maternal aggression, or engage in abnormal behaviors such as cannibalism.

By taking these simple steps, you can help keep your breeding dogs happy, increasing the odds that your program will also produce happy, healthy puppies.

Resources

USDA Maternal Stress and Puppy Development

Braastad, B. O. (1998). Effects of prenatal stress on behaviour of offspring of laboratory and farmed mammals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 61(2), 159-180.

Braastad, B. O., Osadchuk, L. V., Lund, G., & Bakken, M. (1998). Effects of prenatal handling stress on adrenal weight and function and behaviour in novel situations in blue fox cubs (Alopex lagopus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 57(1-2), 157-169.

Czerwinski, V. H., Smith, B. P., Hynd, P. I., & Hazel, S. J. (2016). The influence of maternal care on stress-related behaviors in domestic dogs: What can we learn from the rodent literature?. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 14, 52-59.

Foyer, P., Wilsson, E., & Jensen, P. (2016). Levels of maternal care in dogs affect adult offspring temperament. Scientific Reports, 6(1), 1-8.

Osadchuk, L. V., Braastad, B. O., Huhtaniemi, I., & Bakken, M. (2000). Alterations of the pituitary-gonadal axis in the neonatal blue fox (Alopex lagopus) exposed to prenatal handling stress. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 12(4), 119-126.

Wells, D. L., & Hepper, P. G. (2006). Prenatal olfactory learning in the domestic dog. Animal Behaviour, 72(3), 681-686.