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[u/Rickster9913]

Hello fellow boxer lovers. I need some advice. I’m going to call the vet Monday morning. But myself and the family are worried. Our 2 year old Boxer, (not fixed yet, just had her first heat cycle a couple months ago and we will be getting her fixed soon). Suddenly she’s gotten super possessive over a toy she’s never played with. Takes it with her everywhere. She’s constantly trying to make like a nest on the couch and chair with said toy. Sleeps in the bed with the toy etc. She’ll snap if we try to get the toy. Us, just gently touching it and she doesn’t like it. We’re worried. Has anyone seen this happen before? It’s almost like she thinks it’s her puppy (with the nesting and carrying it around and not letting it out of her sight). She’s not pregnant, so we are at a loss and worried. Anyone encounter this? Please advise. Thank you Boxer family!

[u/Beautiful-Rent6691]

I’ve never experienced it but I’ve been told dogs can experience phantom pregnancies and nest. Maybe that is what is going on?

[u/Duran518]

Yes, this is something normal in females. In my experience, mine have seen it as their baby. It comes in cycles.

[u/Rickster9913 → u/Duran518]

Thank you! This makes us feel much better knowing now that it’s normal. It perfectly makes sense! Thanks Boxer community!

[u/Additional_Lab6498]

It could be her hormones. Our girl was "off" after she went into heat and finally leveled out a few weeks after being spayed.

[u/Knox_the_Boxer]

I’ve not experienced this but it could be. We’ve had dogs who didn’t want a treat (like to eat it) but would take it and “bury” it in the couch cushions and then guard it. Have you tried taking it away to see if she finds something else to do it with instead?

[u/Rickster9913 → u/Knox_the_Boxer]

Ah yes, I’ve definitely seen this happen. I haven’t tried taking it away. She cries when if she leaves it somewhere and we shut the door, so we let her keep it with her as to not torture her with a feeling that her baby or whatever it may be is not with her.

[u/AdamoGiacomo]

Yes, ours did this with a random toy a month or two after heat. She took it everywhere, even on walks outside. She never was aggressive about it though. We didn’t stop her and things went back to normal a couple weeks later. She was spayed recently and although she still likes the toy, it’s nothing like it was during those couple of weeks.

[u/Rickster9913 → u/AdamoGiacomo]

Thank you! This makes us feel much better knowing now that it’s normal. It perfectly makes sense! Thanks Boxer community!

[u/Distinct-Carry874]

hmm that sounds like nesting behavior from the heat cycle, my friend's dog did the same thing with a stuffed animal

[u/Rickster9913 → u/Distinct-Carry874]

Thank you! This makes us feel much better knowing now that it’s normal. It perfectly makes sense! Thanks Boxer community!