Introducing your dog to your baby
You will never forget the moment your furbaby meets your human baby. Preparing for and managing the first and the following interactions is essential. Here's what you need to know about introducing a new baby or toddler to a dog and how to manage their interactions going forward.
Know What to Expect From Your Dog
If your dog has been around babies and children many times before, you may be better able to protect how they'll respond than if they have never seen children before. If you're planning to have a baby and your dog hasn't been around children so far, it's a good idea to make sure they have some positive interactions before meeting your baby for the first time.
Take your dog somewhere that children are often present and give lots of praise and rewards as they act calmly around the baby.
Even after your dog has had many good experiences around children and seems calm in their presence, it is important to manage your expectations and go slowly as you introduce a dog to your child.
What to do Before Baby Comes Home
If your dog is used to being the only other being in your home and the center of your universe, they are going to need to adjust to some changes as a baby enters the scene.
Your dog will soon learn that baby will bring great things like another human to love them and more dropped food than they ever could have imagined. However, at the beginning, you need to get your dog ready for some negative changes, like less time with you and ear-splitting screams.
Make Gradual Routine Changes Now
Start making gradual changes to get your dog used to some of the things that will change when the baby comes home. If your dog sleeps in your bedroom now but will not be able to once the baby comes, get them used to the new sleeping spot at this time.
If you expect to need to take walks at different times or in any other way change your schedule, do it before the baby comes home. Otherwise, your dog may associate negative changes with the new baby.
Reduce Attention
A new baby is going to take a lot of attention away from your dog. Begin reducing the amount of attention your dogs gets from you at least a few weeks before the baby comes home. Gradually reduce the attention, replacing it with new good things like food toys.
It is also important to get your dog used to suddenly having your attention drawn away. Teach them to go to their place or crate on command and always give them a great chew toy or food-distributing toy when they are there. Once baby comes, you'll want to always have some great chew toys or packed food toys available to distract and entertain your dog.
Get Your Dog Used to Baby
No matter what you do to prepare your dog for your baby's arrival, they are sure to have several surprises. However, you can do a lot to prepare your dog for what is to come. Here are a few things that you can cover so that your dog is ready to have a baby in their life:
Baby Sounds
Play a tape recorder of baby sounds to get your dog used to these new noises. Start with a very low volume and duration and gradually increase volume and duration to something more similar to what your dog will experience with a baby.
Always give your dog plenty of rewards and positive reinforcement when the baby sounds are playing so that they will associate it with good things.
Baby Smells
Whatever products you expect to use with your baby, start using them on yourself now. This includes lotions, powders, etc. Again, associate these smells with positivity for your dog.
As soon as the baby is born, bring home blankets and things that smell of the baby. Allow your dog to smell them while showering them with praise and giving them plenty of treats. That way, your dog will already have a positive association when they meet the baby.
What to do When Baby Comes Home
Coming home with your baby will be extremely exciting, and there’s sure to be lots of activity. It is important to keep your dog in mind while you are planning this important event. Here are a few steps to follow to help your dog get acclimated to having a baby in the house:
1. Greet your dog alone first
When you get home, your dog will surely be overjoyed to see you. You don't want to have to push them down because they are about to jump on the baby.
Have somebody else hold the baby while you greet your dog. This will also give them an opportunity to smell the baby directly on you, further building associations between you and your baby.
2. Let your dog get used to the baby before close introductions
Babies sound and move differently than most things that your dog is used to. Even if your dog has been around babies before, they need to get used to this very new baby in their home.
For a few days, just let your dog get used to being in the same space as the baby before introducing them in close proximity.
3. First real meeting
Allow the dog to sniff the baby while on a leash. Only allow interaction if your dog seems curious but not overly excited or hyper-focused.
Keep the baby elevated so that they interact at face level. Keep an adult between them at all times. Your dog may see a sudden movement from the baby as an invitation to play or as a threat, so you need to be ready to intervene.
Overall, Encourage Positivity
Managing interactions between your dog and your child is all about encouraging positivity between them. Try to avoid correction as much as possible.
For instance, if your dog picks up a baby's toy, do not correct them, simply replace it with one of their own. If your dog acts too exuberantly towards a child, physically restrict them but do not reprimand them.
You want all of the interactions between dog and child to be pleasant for both of them. Feeding your child while offering your dog treats can be a good way to associate positivity between them. As your toddler grows, engage them in the training process as well.