Preparing your pooch for a new baby

By: Liz Reyes, CPDT-KA, B.S.

For new parents the cyclone of baby showers, baby proofing, and baby needs, can sometimes leave your original baby (that’s right, your pet considers himself your first child) feeling left out and confused. Though Fido may have been an angel before the new addition, now that baby rules the roost your dog may be exhibiting behavior that’s uncharacteristic. Knowing how to determine the difference between dangerous behavior and canine curiosity is vital in helping your dog adjust to the newest member of your family, and make sure an opportunity for an accident never arises. By keeping four crucial points in mind (Attention, Preparation, Introduction, and More Training) you can keep Fido happy, and make sure that an opportunity for incident never arises.

Attention

When you bring the new baby to your household, the attention your dog is used to having will fade. Especially the parents of the new baby; whose lack of time and energy will result in less time spent with the pooch. Continue to include your family in social activities even if they’re just around the house. A dog’s bad behavior initially could be due to the lack of attention and not because your dog is interested in harming the baby. If you make the effort to give extra attention to your dog during the homecoming of your baby, then he or she will accept the new baby as part of their family.

• Give your pooch supervised opportunities to look at the baby. Give him plenty of praise for associating with the baby without any social threat.
• Train your pooch to sit or lie down and stay on command so you can keep him calm and focused while around your baby.

Be sure to keep a regular routine with your dog.  Your dog will need to get plenty of exercise, and focused training.  Try using enrichment toys to prevent boredom during the day.

Prepare

• Get your dog used to being in separate areas of the home, blocked off by baby gates.  Most likely, you will not be able to supervise your dog 100% of the time around the baby in which case you will need to separate your dog.  Getting Fido used to this limited freedom during pregnancy will make for an easy adjustment once baby comes home.

Play recordings of typical baby noises for Fido to listen to while still pregnant.  Ask a friend with a baby to record it for you or buy a pre-made recording.

Set up baby items such as crib, baby swing, car seat, etc around the house and put a baby doll in them.  Get Fido used to all the new objects that will be in the home.

Start training your dog to do a place or down command while you pretend to change a baby doll’s diaper, feed baby, etc.  Reward your dog for good behavior.

Get a stroller and start working with your dog walking properly along side a stroller with a baby doll in it.

Finally, once the baby is born bring home clothes for your dog to sniff, which your baby wore just after being born in the hospital.

• When you first bring the baby home, keep your dog in a separate room, and bring your pooch more items of the baby to sniff.

Introduction

• When the baby is quiet and the dog is calm, bring them into the same room. Keep your dog on a leash rewarding for good behavior.
• Place your dog in the sit and stay command and let your dog see the baby, rewarding the dog for good behavior.
• After your pooch sees the baby a few times and displays good behavior, allow the dog to approach your baby and smell. Make sure this is completely supervised.
• The goal is to get the dog and baby to a point where your dog does not react to vocalizations or odors, or when your dog doesn’t stare at your baby.

More Training

Some dogs cannot adjust and need more training. Dogs with a strong prey drive such as hunting dogs or those who enjoy chasing cats will require more supervision and training when a new baby comes home. This type of dog will need a professional dog trainer to help them adjust. Don’t give up if you are having trouble with your dog. At It’s a Dog’s World K-9 Academy, Inc. we train dogs specifically to adjust to a new baby, and can even conduct sessions at the dog’s home. Here are signs your dog needs more training:

• They want to rush at or charge the new baby
• Their curiosity drives them nuts; causing them to bark, whimper or pull on the leash to be near the dog
• They won’t sit and stay, or listen to commands while in the room with the baby
• Their approach to the baby is too aggressive and not calm