[lisavodka]

We rescued our rocky when he was six months old,he hadn't been mistreated just not cared for very well.he settled in very quickly and soon became a reasonably well behaved dog,he's been neutured too.we always shut him in the kitchen/utility at night with no problems but around the time I found out I was pregnant he started soiling in the kitchen every night,urine and poo.this went on for a couple of weeks so I decided to give him the run of the hall stairs and landing for the night to see if that helped and for two nights he didn't mess anywhere but it has started again now and I am desperate to get it sorted out.I don't know if its related to my pregnancy or not? Lisa:-{

[tickle]

If you are his 'person', the one he has bonded with, then yes, your pregnancy is probably what has changed the personal dynamics in his world. You will have to give him much more attention for a while because he senses a change in you; a change that will probably impact his existence for quite some time. Can he sleep in a crate beside your bed? This may help. Was he pretty good with his hygiene habits up until now ?

Tick

[Lucky098]

Some dogs can be sensitive to hormone changes within you. However; I wouldn't use that as the excuse for the dog pottying in the house. It is very normal and accepting to have the "alpha" female pregnant. Dogs showing jealousy towards pregnancy is a human emotion. Dogs don't really care.

He is misbehaving because you allow him too much freedom. Crate him at night. Treat him like a puppy. Don't feed after the hours of 5 and 6. Don't allow free feed or water intake. Last drink should be 2 hours before your bedtime.

Depending on how long you have had him in your home will determine the real answer. If you just got him, then I'm afraid your honeymoon phase of him being a good boy is over and you are now seeing the true side of him. If he wasn't properly cared for, then his dirty habits are becoming a behavior issue that can be fixed with restrictions. If you have had him for a long time, then he is testing you to see what he can get away with. Sometimes rescue dogs will relapse, even after the dog has been placed in a new home for a year up to a few years.

Put him and yourself on a schedule. I would also advise to start introducing baby stuff to him so there are no problems once the baby is born. Also set your rules for when baby comes around. If you don't want him in the baby room, start the process now. If you don't want him in the kitchen while you're feeding the baby, start now! Don't wait until the baby is born and you feel overwhelmed.

Also, he could be acting like this because YOUR nervous. Its no ones business if this is a planned pregnancy or not, but if you are upset, scared, nervous and not acting yourself, he will pick up on that. Your emotions may have him unbalanced. And if that's the case, you're just going to have to work through things.

[ballengerb1]

Agree with above, you have to go back to square one and start training him all over. Good long walks a half hour after eating is a good start. Does he get lots of exercise, he needs it, he needs to know you are his Alpha too, are you?