Make room for baby

Many expectant couples worry about how their “four-legged child” will adjust to a new family member. Sometimes the dog has been a member of the household since puppyhood and is very comfortable with his status as the “only child.”

Will our dog be jealous of the baby? Should I worry about him being spiteful or destructive? What kind of training should we do beforehand? These are some of the questions I’m often asked. Well, the good news is, dogs are social animals and are comfortable living within a group, so ideally a new baby should be accepted by the dog as another member of the family unit. However all new things and changes should be introduced to a dog gradually, and an infant is no different. Most dogs are curious about babies, especially if they’ve had little or no exposure to infants.  

Preparing before the arrival

Preparations should begin months before long before the baby arrives. If your dog’s training has gotten rusty, now’s the time to “bone up” on his manners, focus and reliability in basic behaviors. Even if you’ve always considered your dog to be "pretty good," when a baby’s safety is at stake, pretty good just might not be good enough. If you’re experienced training your dog, you can do it yourself. If not, enrolling in a qualified, dog-friendly training program could give you that added boost.

Start practicing basic behaviors with your dog while you simulate common “baby activities.” Try purchasing a lifelike baby-sized doll or even a teddy bear and start carrying it around in your arms. Sit the doll on your lap and talk to it and make a fuss over it just as you will inevitably do when the real baby arrives. Lay it in the bassinette or crib. Your dog may be curious and overly excited at first, so practice his “settle,” “sit/down,” and “stays” while the fake baby “sleeps.” Be sure to periodically reward the dog with tidbits, petting or praise for remaining calm. Think about how your dog’s senses will be affected. Babies bring very strong smells! Put baby powder and oils on the doll. Dress it in diapers and wrap it in blankets. Because dogs respond with interest to strange sounds, start playing recorded sounds of a baby crying, cooing and making other unique baby sounds. Teach your dog to walk nicely next to the stroller. Of course, if you have friends or other family members with infants and small children, invite them over so you can see your dog’s reaction to the real thing. 

Bringing the baby home

While the first few weeks after baby’s arrival may be a hectic time, it is vital that you try to devote the same amount of time and attention to your dog as you always have. A neglected, unsupervised dog could resort to destructive behavior, so include him in as many family activities as possible. All of the dog’s interactions with the baby should be supervised. Make sure that you introduce your dog to the baby slowly. In the beginning, it’s best to keep the dog on a lead for better control should he try to jump or rush at the baby. If things are going well, you can eventually take the leash off. The goal should be to have the dog associate only good things with the baby being present.

• One parent holds the baby, the other plays with and rewards the dog

• One parent feeds the baby, the other feeds the dog.

• One parent changes the baby, the other parent takes the dog out to potty and then rewards him when he complies.

Of course dogs with a history of any type of aggression toward people or other dogs will require special attention. It’s best to seek the help of an experienced trainer and behavior modification specialist. 

Laurie C. Williams is a Stafford business owner and certified professional dog trainer. Reach her at onesmartpooch@aol.com.