My Little Female Puppy - False Pregnancy?

by Amany
(Egypt, Cairo)

Hi All, My puppy is called Tuffi - she is a ten-month-old female cocker spaniel. She's an amazing, adorable, active, and well-behaved puppy.

She had her first period last September, but of course, she didn't mate due to her young age.

The first week was a mess to us, as she suddenly stopped playing and hardly ate, she kept sleeping in the nesting pose, and started to make a strange sound sort of noise - it sounded like "humming" - and she suddenly seemed very depressed.

We took her for long walks, spent more time with her, almost dedicated ourselves to her full-time. We brought her new toys, played her favourite game, and checked with her vet.

He said there was nothing medically wrong with her, but two days ago, she started to act as if she was breastfeeding her little toys.

She takes them wherever she goes, and lately, she had milk coming out of her :(

Knowing that she is too young for such a stage, we can't understand what is going on with her, some friends advised us to hide those toys, but I fear that she would think what she thinks are her puppies are dead or taken from her, and get more depressed or anxious.

She is now interacting better than 5 days ago and acting normal when she meets the 'puppies' she usually plays with, but I am extremely worried about her.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks & Regards,
Amany