Introducing a new baby to your family dog can seem intimidating at first. But if you prepare beforehand, make sure the introduction is full of positive interactions, and teach your child to be gentle with the dog, you can ensure that your growing family will be complete.
For more specific strategies to prepare your dog for the baby’s arrival, read on!
Ensure Your Dog Understands Basic Commands
Long before the baby arrives, you need to make sure that your dog is well-trained. The dog needs to be able to sit or stay on command because once the baby arrives, those commands can keep both your dog and baby safe.
Also, make sure that your dog is comfortable being left alone for a few hours. There will be times when you will have to leave the dog alone while you tend to your newborn. If you are having trouble training your dog, you can get help from dog trainers in your area. They’ll likely rely on a mix of positive reinforcement and strengthening your bond to ensure your dog behaves.
Socialize Your Dog with Children
Another step to making sure that your dog is prepared for the new arrival is to get your family pet accustomed to children. Children can be rough on pets. They are loud and active. Your dog will need to be able to handle these interactions without getting overwhelmed.
When introducing your dog to children, start simple. Put your dog on a leash and bring over a familiar child to your home. The child should be encouraged to approach the dog slowly. Give your dog a treat and lots of love for positive behaviors.
Then, you can start to let the child play in the area with the dog on the leash. Slowly increase the amount of interaction between the dog and child until the dog is completely comfortable with the child’s presence. This may take a while, so begin early to get maximum results. Be sure to monitor for signs of aggression or anxiety in your dog, as you should always keep initial interactions short and stress-free.
Let Your Dog Smell the Baby’s Items
Your dog is probably very familiar with your home. But new baby furniture, clothes, and toys need to be introduced ahead of time, so the dog can become familiar with these specific items. This will prevent them from viewing these items as their own. Also, dogs navigate the world with their sense of smell. Exposing them to the baby’s smell can build confidence in future interactions.
3 Things to Understand About Baby & Dog Introductions
Here are three things you should keep in mind when introducing your dog to a new baby:
1. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Smells
A dog’s nose is a powerful way to encourage positive behaviors. When you arrive home with the baby, greet your dog first without the baby. Give the dog affection and allow it to smell something with the baby’s scent on it such as a hat or blanket. This will help your dog identify the child and become more comfortable with it. Then, put your dog on a leash and introduce your baby to your dog. Let the dog gently sniff the baby. This scenario should be very similar to how you introduced your dog to children earlier.
2. Positive Reinforcement Is Key
During that first visit, show your dog affection as you introduce it to the baby. This should help the dog associate the baby with positive feelings. Reward your dog with treats when it interacts gently with the baby. It may lick or sniff the baby. Try not to react negatively to this. The dog will pick up on your body language. Your dog needs to know that it will not be forgotten now that the baby is here.
Once the introduction is complete, give your family dog and baby time to get used to each other. Your dog has been used to a certain dynamic and routine within the household. This will be different now. It may take some time for your dog to adjust.
3. Teach Your Child to Respect the Dog
As your baby ages and becomes more mobile, it will be important to teach your child early on how to interact with your family dog. Make sure that your baby pets the dog gently, doesn’t slap or hit the dog, and uses a calm tone of voice. For mutual respect to build between the child and the dog, the baby needs to treat the dog kindly.
Conclusion: Introducing a Dog and Baby Takes Time
Introducing your new baby to your family dog doesn’t have to be stressful. With some training and positive interactions, your dog can learn to love your baby just as much as it loves you. Your baby, too, will learn the best way to play with your family pet. In the end, your heart will melt when you see your dog and your baby cuddling–and all that worry and anxiety will disappear.
