My bitch is 56 days and my dog, the dad, has started sniffing and licking her bits.  She has now started to get quite ratty with him (I don't blame her) and have been trying to keep them apart but it is nigh on impossible as he must know that she is getting close and wants to stay by her side.  He wouldn't go for a walk like he mormally would he was pulling to get back home and as soon as we went in through the door he went looking for her. 

Yesterday she went quite snappy with other dogs who came too close.  These dogs were wondering the street with no sign of any owner's.

Has anyone else had the same problem and if so how did you overcome it?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Many dogs will be sexually attracted by the smell of a pregnant bitch.  She will also have some discharge towards the end of pregancy and he is no doubt checking ehr out in the hopes that she is going to be in season and ready for mating.  It is doubtful he knows she is pregnant he just wants to ensure that no one else gets there before him, guarding a valuable resource.

The bitch understandably is ratty with him as she is uncomfortable, and just wants pesce to find a safe place to have her babies.  You shopuld ensure that she has a safe place to whelp where other animals in the house have no access, and by now she hould be able to spend time there if she wishes and get away from your other dog.

He should be kept away from her and the pups until at least their eyes are open, and then be guided by her as to whether he will be allowed anywhere near them.   Most bitches will not allow other dogs to interact with the pups until they are running about.

Once the pups are runninga around make sure that the adults can get away from them, especially the Dad, as many dogs find young pups frightening, as they tend to try and suckle at them, and if they have no clear escape route mugh try to hurt them.

Thanks Brainless.

My bitch has know found a comfortable place to have her pups (under the stairs).  My husband was kind enough to build a whelping pit for me and she does spend quite sometime in there.  Half the time you can't see her curled up in the corner because she is a dark colour.

She has had some discharge Saturday morning but nothing since and her temperature seems to be holding steady.

I've learnt quite a bit since I have joined this forum and am still learning.   

Thanks again for that and I'll do my best to keep them calm.