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Some pet parents are sometimes amazed at how their dogs interact with other dogs, including puppies. One example is a female dog nudging puppies. What’s the cause of this behavior? Why would a female dog nudge puppies?
If you’re curious about this behavior, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together some information on the possible causes of this behavior. Let’s get started!
What Makes a Female Dog Nudge Puppies?
Dogs communicate with one another in many ways. They bark, mount one another, wage their tails, growth, and more. All of these are a few of the ways dogs “talk” with one another. Another common way dogs communicate is by nudging with their noses. But what does this action mean?
Here are a few of the reasons a female dog may nudge puppies:
Greeting
A female dog may nudge a puppy she meets for the first time. This is a normal part of dog behavior. Even adult dogs sometimes greet one another in this way. The female dog may even be curious about the small newcomer. When she nudges the puppy, it’s a little bit like us using a stick to nudge something we’re unsure of. However, in most cases, the female dog is curious about the newcomer and giving them a greeting and welcome to their new home.
Show of Dominance
Another reason a female dog may nudge a puppy is that she’s trying to show who is dominant. The female is showing the puppy that she has authority over him, and she’s the boss.
In some cases, a female dog may even show some aggression when she’s showing dominance or is not happy with the puppy. The adult dog may bark, bite, or try to attack the puppy. So, it’s important to monitor all interactions in the first weeks between the female dog and the puppy to avoid something like this happening.
Playing
The female dog may be showing the puppy she’s willing to play! When a new puppy comes to the house, your female dog may be quite happy and excited. Older adult dogs may suddenly become more playful and active when a puppy comes into the house!
So, nudging the puppy could be your dog’s way of showing the little guy she’s ready and willing to play with him!
Summing It Up
These are a few of the reasons a female dog may nudge a puppy. When you bring a new puppy home, it’s important to watch over all interactions between your adult dog and the puppy. Most of the time, nudging is just a friendly way to say hi and “I want to play!”
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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