May 14, 2026, 10:07 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Many expectant mothers wonder: Does my dog actually sense that I’m pregnant–perhaps even before I do? In fact, many dogs show early changes in behavior. Dog trainer Katharina Marioth explains to PETBOOK why this happens, how dogs perceive pregnancy, and when owners should pay attention.
Dogs Hear the “Second” Heartbeat
Many dogs show signs even before the woman knows she’s pregnant, according to dog trainer Katharina Marioth. The reason lies mainly in physical changes. Dogs perceive the slightest differences, especially in hormone levels.
Additionally, as the embryo develops, another heartbeat emerges. Sensitive animals can clearly sense this. According to Marioth, it’s a combination of smell, hormonal changes, and physical signals like the heartbeat.
Whether a dog detects these changes early depends less on gender and more on individual abilities. A particularly keen sense of smell can lead a dog to react sooner, while short-nosed breeds may notice changes later.
From Nest Building to Cuddle Monsters–How Dogs React to Pregnancy
How dogs react to pregnancy varies greatly. Some animals become noticeably clingy and seek more closeness to their owner. “There are dogs that suddenly come over and lay their head in your lap–just like you imagine in a storybook,” Marioth describes.
Other dogs seem more unsettled: They become more nervous or restless because they can’t make sense of the changes. According to Marioth, particularly sensitive breeds often react more strongly to such hormonal changes. It can also happen that female dogs start building a nest, while male dogs may develop a stronger protective instinct and become more skeptical of strangers.
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Dog Knew Before the Owner
That dogs can even give hints of pregnancy before it’s medically confirmed is shown by a case from Marioth’s practice. An owner came to training with her boxer mix because its behavior had suddenly changed significantly. The dog was unusually clingy, wouldn’t leave her side, and constantly laid its head in her lap. “The behavior came so suddenly that we eventually asked if she might be pregnant,” Marioth recalls. The suspicion was confirmed shortly thereafter.
As things progressed, the trainer and owner initially decided to wait. They wanted to observe whether the behavior intensified or subsided. The background was the consideration that increasing clinginess could become problematic, especially if support from others would be needed later.
After a few weeks, around the twelfth week of pregnancy, the behavior normalized again. “After a certain adjustment period, the dog was back to its old self,” Marioth says.
This Behavior Becomes a Problem During Pregnancy
In general, not every change in behavior is problematic. However, owners should remain attentive. Especially if a dog starts keeping the partner at a distance or behaves very protectively, caution is advised. Persistent restlessness, pronounced herding behavior, or even aggression are signals that should be taken seriously. In such cases, Marioth recommends seeking support early.
At the same time, she sees pregnancy as a good opportunity to work with the dog and prepare for the time with the baby. Often, no long-term training measures are necessary, but targeted adjustments in everyday life are sufficient. It is crucial to keep an eye on both one’s own changes and the dog’s needs to create as stable an environment as possible for both.
You can watch the full interview with dog trainer Katharina Marioth in the video.
About the Expert
Katharina Marioth is the founder of the Stadthundetraining brand and the KEML principle. She is an IHK- and government-certified dog trainer and behavioral assessor for dangerous dogs in the state of Berlin. In her daily business, she works closely with veterinarians, scientists, and other specialists on dog-related topics. With her knowledge and skills, she secured the title of Dog Trainer of the Year 2023 in the Sat.1 show “The Dog Trainer Champion.”