Hi guys

My shih tzus pregnant and since the mating my cocker 7mths old started to try and stand over her or she lifts her leg like a dog going to pee with her bits in the face? What could be the cause? I'm confused lol

Sounds to me like your cocker is not happy with the shih's pregnancy.  The cocker is trying to assert dominance by 'scenting' and dominating stances and obviously sees herself higher in rank that the Shih(or is trying to raise herself so.  At 7 months, your cocker will be maturing and you can have bother with 2 bitches at this time never mind adding a pregnancy into the mix!!  My pup is 10 months and is asserting herself on the pack in a similar fashion.  Difference is, none of the rest are letting her away with trying to climb the pack ladder!!

Hi, my first post, so Hi to all. I'm in a similar situation. My girl was mated 12 days ago & my 9 month old boy has been showing signs of dominance since she came back from the mating. He was never like this before, although his hormones definately kicked in when my 2 girls were in season. I was wondering if there is still the scent of the stud dog lingering. She hasn't had a bath as I wanted her resting in the early stages with no stress, so just gave her a good 'going over' with a cloth & puppy shampoo, to mask the smell. Maybe it's just that he's been spoilt rotton as he's spent the last 5 weeks with human company only indoors......:(

I think it more likely that the pregnant bitches smell different and this is confusing the youngsters.

I have always found my other dogs know there is something different about the Mum's to be, but then men are usually older than the pregnant ones.

Just a quick update. My boy is now nipping my girls back legs. :( Maybe he just wants to play, but it's causing friction. It's got to the stage where I won't let them in the garden together. It never happens on walks....just 1st thing in the morning & last thing at night when they go out for a wee at bedtime.

Is he getting his usual amount of exercise and attention? Might be worth just spending a little extra time training/interacting with him. At his age, behaviour like this could be totally unrelated to the pregnancy, he is just hitting the delightful teenage phase at this age.

Finlay, are both your dogs collies? I think it's a breed trait to herd and your youngster may just be trying to help you out by herding your other in and out.  I know my Elkhound barks to tell me when my elderly collie x is 'up to her tricks again'; barking being an Elkhound trait.  My collie x will also 'round-up' Heidi when she sees fit, LOL.