Introducing the family dog to a newborn baby takes time and careful planning. Up to now your dog has had your full attention. With the arrival of your newborn baby it is only natural for your dog to feel a sense of jealousy. This is why it is important to prepare your dog for your newborn’s arrival. You can do this by inviting friends to visit who have babies and young children. This will help your dog to become accustomed to the attention given to a baby or young children.
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Another way to prepare your dog is by taking time to acquaint him with the new smells associated with a baby. This is important since smells are a major factor in how your dog investigates his world. There will be many new smells with the arrival of your baby, her furniture and other baby items. Introduce your dog to the baby’s room. Let you dog explore the smells of the new furniture, clothing, etc. In this way you help your dog in understanding that your baby is part of the family. Becoming familiar with and accepting the new smells will help your dog in accepting the baby.
As you introduce your dog to your baby’s room don’t let him become too familiar with it. For instance, your dog should not be allowed to jump up on the furniture. It will cause a problem if your dog jumps on the furniture when your baby is there. Do not allow a bad habit to form, keep your dog off the baby’s furniture.
A new baby brings not only new smells but new sounds as well. A baby’s cries can be alarming. It is very possible that the cries of your baby will make your dog anxious. It is a good idea to purchase a recording of baby sounds and play it occasionally. You baby’s equipment and toys also make sounds. Plan on acclimatizing your dog to these new sounds for a couple of months before the arrival of your newborn.
There are a number of situations when your dog should be kept at a distance from your baby. Your baby’s naptime is one of those times. An expandable baby gate can be used to keep your dog out of the baby’s room when she is asleep. It is a good idea for your dog do be able to see into the room even though he cannot enter. Your baby’s cries will cause unnecessary anxiety in your dog, especially if he cannot view the area.
Be sure you enthusiastically praise your dog when he comes to warn you about your baby crying. By doing this you will help establish a watchful and protective nature in your dog.
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You should never leave your dog and baby alone unsupervised. This is especially true if you are unsure of your dog’s reaction to the new household changes. Your dog may accidentally hurt your baby by trying to cuddle close to her. Often your baby will not be able to move her face or body away from your dog if he gets too close and a young child cannot physically push a dog away.
Carefully watch your dog’s reactions to everything when your baby is first introduced into the family household. Remember that the process of introducing your dog to your baby should be slow and deliberate. Watch your dog carefully for negative or aggressive behavior. If negative behavior occurs place your dog in another room to calm down. Reintroduce your dog to your child after he has calmed down. If aggression reoccurs place your dog back in the other room to calm down. Continue to repeat this procedure until the situation is calm and relaxed.
It is a good idea to have someone available to hold your baby when you come home from the hospital. This will give you an opportunity to greet your dog. Your dog needs you to set aside a few minutes a day for him because he was the center of attention before the arrival of your baby. This will help your dog adjust to the new situation much faster.
Your new household environment will definitely be hectic. Work at establishing set routines. It is much easier for your dog to adjust to the new environment with established routines. All of these ideas will help establish a happy and harmonious family.
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