Maddie is nesting....literally.

For the past three months, I have been coming home almost daily to a mess made by Maddie. Basically, throughout the day, Maddie gets into anything made out of paper and tears it to shreds, leaving us piles around the house for when we get home. We can close every door in the house and lift every trash can off of the floor, but somehow she manages to find paper somewhere to tear up (receipts, packaging, mail, newspaper, tissues, etc.) We have crated her, punished her, ignored the behavior, etc. and have been very frustrated as to what to do to stop this behavior. She's been out of the crate for over a year and just started this behavior about three months ago. Since Aaron and I were out of ideas as to what to do with her to stop this behavior, we called the vet to get some advice.

I explained to the vet what was going on. She asked if Maddie was tearing anything else up (furniture, shoes, clothing, etc.) and I said not at all. In fact, she'll tear up paper food packing, and leave the food alone. I also explained to the vet that I was pregnant and had heard that dogs were very sensitive to their owner's change in hormones and chemicals. I asked if this behavior could be a reaction to being anxious about my changes and this was how she was taking out her anxiety. She stated that it could be, but after listening to more of my description of what was happening she told me her conclusion:

Maddie has sensed that there is a change in my body's chemicals and has sensed that I am pregnant. Since she is a female dog, she is feeling the need to get her "nest" ready for the arrival of a baby. As female dogs do when they are pregnant themselves, she is using materials around the house to build a bed for "her puppies" (aka baby Parker). She waits to do this while we are not home for the same reason that breeders build beds for their pregnant dogs in a dark corner of a secluded room....dogs prepare for birth in private. My sweet little Maddie girl is helping her mommy build a bed for baby Parker when he arrives. I have to admit...I teared up a bit when the vet told me this because I thought it was the sweetest thing. Isn't it amazing the natural tendencies of animals? God is incredible...

Needless to say...Maddie is no longer punished when we come home and find torn up paper around the house. How can I not just think that she is so cute and being so helpful and nurturing? Look at that face...

She is going to be a great big sister!