If you’re like most people, your four-legged companion is your first “baby.” Many people are overly concerned about how their dog will react to the arrival of a baby in their lives. Many owners consider getting rid of their family pets due to concerns that they will harm the baby. Please do not do this unless you have no other choice. Most dogs, when properly treated and trained, can cope very well with life with a newborn.
When children and pets are raised together properly and taught how to interact with one another, they make wonderful companions. Children who grow up in a home with pets learn to respect and love animals, as well as, more importantly, to respect life. As the children grow older, they can learn responsibility by assisting with animal care. Animals enrich our lives and the lives of our children in ways that we cannot imagine.
Having a baby can cause issues for both humans and dogs, as the dog is treated differently and may act differently as a result. Some owners over-baby their dogs, causing them to become spoiled and difficult to handle. Other owners become overly stressed and punish the dog for normal, inquisitive behaviour toward the baby. Our pets are frequently the centre of our universe, our “babies,” if you will, and can become “jealous” if they are not prepared to lose that status to the new baby. Everyone can live in peace if you are willing to put in the time and effort to prepare your pets for the new arrival.
The dogs can become overly protective of the baby at times. Many owners enjoy, and even prefer, having their dog act as a baby guardian. While it is natural for the dog to be protective of the baby, it is dangerous for the dog to become overprotective and refuse to allow anyone near the baby. All of the scenarios listed above can result in the dog being evicted from the house.
As you prepare to bring home your baby, you should also prepare your dog in advance, if possible. While most dogs will be gentle with the baby, many dogs do not recognise babies as humans due to their size, smell, and strange noises. By giving your dog extra love and attention, he should be fine and not resort to bad behaviour to get your attention. You must prepare and educate your dog for what is to come. This ensures that they are ready and willing to welcome the new family member with open and loving arms. Always remember that your dog is an animal, and animals, whether intentionally or unintentionally, can bite or harm a baby. Never leave your dog alone with your baby, no matter how well-behaved or loving it is.
Whether you believe it or not, your interactions with and attitudes toward your dog are important. It has the potential to make or break your dog’s acceptance and respect for your baby. You will be treated as a leader if you act like one. You want your dog to respect every human in your home, including your child. You must teach your dog to be respectful of the baby. This will make things easier for everyone involved.
To see a good dog behaviour to your newborn, follow these simple steps.
#Make use of a crate
If your dog does not already use a crate, now is the time to start. A crate is not cruel, it can actually be a wonderful and safe place for your dog. It is actually very easy to teach your dog to accept being in the crate.
#Be firm while remaining fair
Don’t let your dog get away with anything, but also don’t be a drill sergeant! Make any corrections as gentle as possible while still ensuring that they are effective. Try to have fun with your dog and the training; if neither of you enjoys it, neither of you will want to continue.
#Maintain your cool and assertiveness
Our dogs feed on our emotions and energies. This influences their actions and reactions. If we are relaxed and confident, our dogs will be as well, and they will understand that we are leading them and that they do not need to follow us.
#Your tone of voice is important
Command should be short and succinct, in a low, almost growling voice. Do not sing to your dog or ask the dog a question. When giving praise, sound like you mean it! It should be the opposite of a command — higher pitched and enthusiastic.
#Exercise is essential for good behaviour
Exercise is imperative for your dog. Regular walks are important. A dog backpack immediately puts your dog into work mode, which will help to tire her brain. Have regular obedience sessions with your dog so that she does not forget her commands. Try to work the commands into everyday life so that it becomes second nature to her.
#Get rid of bad manners
Bad manners cannot be accepted as they can be dangerous to a new baby and a new mom. Jumping and nipping are behaviors that need to be stopped right away. Teach your dog how to be calm and gentle, by praising and treating this behavior.
#Is it okay for your dog to sit on your furniture?
If your dog is currently allowed on the furniture, you may want to reconsider because your baby will most likely spend a lot of time on it. Your baby may be irritated by dog hair and dirt. You also don’t want to have to clean up after the dog all the time. Your dog may also inadvertently injure the baby by jumping on furniture or repositioning himself. It is best to limit access to the furniture to avoid problems.
#Your new routine and your dog
Think realistically about the time you will have for your dog for walks, feeding, potty breaks, play and attention. Dogs feel safety when the rules and routines stay the same. When your baby arrives things do not always go as planned. Do try to stay on schedule, when possible, so that your dog is allowed some semblance of a routine.
#Your dog needs to take a break
Allow your dog some time away from the baby to settle. Time outs are an effective tool for keeping your dog’s sanity and also for when they do something wrong.
#Reduce your focus on your dog
Schedule regular 5 to 10 minute sessions each day where you pay full attention to your dog. This allows your dog to understand that he is still an important part of your life. It is also a good time for you to relax and unwind as pets are very therapeutic.
#Your dog must be calm and well-balanced
Your dog needs to be balanced so that he does not stress needlessly and act out inappropriately. Training and exercise are good places to start to achieve a calm and balanced dog. Consult with your vet and local canine behaviorist or trainer.
#Is your dog a jumper?
If your dog is a jumper, teaching proper greetings will help to curb this problem. It is vital that your dog can see people without jumping.
#How will my dog react if the baby is rough with her?
Infants and children are not necessarily gentle by nature, and have to be taught how to be so. Your dog also needs to learn how to deal with these behaviors from his small leaders. Start to gently handle your dog in a rougher fashion while praising good behavior.
#Your dog’s obedience training
Your dog needs to be obedience trained and have basic manners. It is a good idea to teach your dog to accept wearing a leash — in and out of the house. The “Go to Your Spot” command is a great command to have in your arsenal for a well-behaved dog. By your dog having to work for you, it facilitates a relationship in which you are dominant in your and your dog’s mind.
#In the house, there is a lot of squabbling?
If your dog has an accident in the house or is not housetrained, you must clean it thoroughly to avoid future accidents or remarking of the same areas and to keep the environment sanitary. Dog faeces may contain parasites and other pathogens. Giardia, E-Coli and other worms, parasites are occasionally found in faeces, and many of them are transmissible to humans.
#Make use of high-value treats
When dealing with new baby sights, sounds, and scents, use high-value treats — treats your dog loves but doesn’t normally get. This tells your dog that these are good things, and that he should like them and associate them with rewards, rather than feeling ill will or fear towards them. Make sure to keep the treats special and only use them to acquaint your pup with what the new baby will be like.
#Your dog’s health and cleanliness are critical.
It is essential that your dog has a clean bill of health and is clean before you bring your baby home. Take your dog to the vet for a check-up to make sure that he has no health problems. If your dog sheds, it is a good idea to start a de-shedding program, such as regular grooming. Using special flea and tick medication will help to ensure that he remains flea-less and tick-less.
#Take a doll with you
Holding a baby changes your posture, and your mannerisms, so your dog needs to be comfortable. The dog also needs to follow commands and be obedient when you have the baby. Using a doll while practicing everyday commands will help your dog respond better.
#Baby noises
Crying, gurgling, yelling/screaming, and baby babble are not necessarily normal for a dog to hear. There are lots of baby sounds tracks available online. Try to play the recording everyday until the baby arrives.
#Actual infants and children
If your dog is well-behaved, you can expose your dog to babies and children in parks. Ask your friends if they will let your dog listen in or record them for you. Make this gradual so your dog can slowly accept it.
#Baby odours
The smells of a baby are often unfamiliar to a dog. Slowly start to get your dog used to these new smells. Use baby oil, powder, baby wash and diaper cream to help your dog get accustomed to the real smells of a baby.
#The Baby’s Room
Set up the nursery for your dog to become acquainted with changes in the house. Train her to be calm in there and not to jump up on the furniture and baby equipment. Teach her to do down-stays when in the nursery so that she is allowed to be with you and the baby, but is out of the way and behaving. When the baby starts to crawl and move about you may want to limit the amount of time the dog spends in there.
#Baby’s belongings are off-limits.
Dogs love things that have human waste on them, such as dirty diapers and feminine products. It is important to dispose of dirty diapers properly to ensure that your dog does not get them. Teach your dog to leave baby blankets alone and not to lay or step on them.
#Teach your dog which toys are his.
Teach your dog which toys are his and what toys are the baby’s before baby arrives. An easy way to do this is to use peanut butter and bitter apple. You can also teach the dog the concepts of “Mine”, “Baby’s” and “Yours” Only keep a few of the dog’s toys out at a time. This will avoid her falling prey to the syndrome of “everything within my reach is mine!” . If she understands that the three toys on the ground are hers, she will be less apt to take things she shouldn’t.
If you follow these simple steps, you should be able to easily accustom your dog to your newborn. Always seek the advice of a professional trainer when in doubt.
