Dogs and Babies

Peanut

A new baby can be a difficult transition for our four legged friends.  Start as early as possible with any new rules that you may want to enforce.  The sooner you start, the sooner they will get the idea that things are going to change. 

Here are some tips to help prepare your dog(s) for the arrival of the newest member of your family:

1. Sleeping arrangments.  If your dogs are sleeping with you, its time to break the habit.  During your pregnancy you do not want a dog jumping on your belly during the night.  And when your baby gets here, you don't want to have to worry about tripping over the dog while you are rushing to the bassinet to soothe your crying baby.  To keep them out of your room, either close your door, or put up a baby gate.  Set up a pet bed where you want them to sleep and encourage them each night to lay in it.  Eventually they will get the idea.

2.  Make the nursery off limits.  As a pet owner we know that no matter how much we vaccuum, sweep, or mop the pet hair is never ending.  So to keep the nursery nice and clean, make it off limits to your pets.  Either close the door or set up a baby gate (you can never have too many) to teach them that the room is a no dog zone.

3. Get them used to baby noises.  Turn on TLC or any of the other educational networks that have shows about babies.  When there is a baby crying, turn it up and see how the dogs react.  If they start barking, try to correct them and assure them that its okay.  This will be super helpful when the baby starts crying at 2am for a feeding. 

4.  Practice baby etiquette.  Get a baby doll from the store and wrap it up in a blanket.  When you watch tv in the living room, hold the doll like you will your new baby.  Let your dog check it out.  Encourage good behavior with key words (good job, good boy/girl, etc.).  Correct behavior that you don't like, also using key words (no, down, no kisses, etc.).  Be sure to use the same words repeatedly for good and corrective behavior.  It may take some patience, but soon your dog will know what you expect of them when around a baby.

Seven months pregnant and getting licked by Scrappy during our playtime outside

 

5.  Set aside dog time.  When the baby arrives you will be focused on the baby.  Your dog won't understand the lack of attention, just as an older sibling wouldn't.  During your last few months of pregnancy, start distancing yourself from your pet.  Set aside a time each day, whether its 30 minutes or an hour, to just sit with them and show them some love to let them know they haven't been forgotten and are still loved.  This will go a long way with your pet and will prevent depression later when your baby arrives.  If you get into the habit while you are still pregnant then it will be a breeze to keep up when the baby comes home.

6.  Baby blanket.  While at the hospital, your baby will be wrapped in a blanket.  Have your spouse take the blanket home and let your dog(s) smell it.  If you can, wrap the baby doll in it and then let them smell it.  This will familiarize them with the scent of your baby so they will recognize it when your baby comes home.  Do NOT let them take it from you or use it as a toy.  It is just for smelling.  All the excitement will get out of the way ahead of time so it will be somewhat less chaotic when you get home.  I say only somewhat because they will have missed you terribly! 

7.  Practice with the baby.  Same as you did with the doll, sit while holding your baby and let your dog check it out.  Since you've already trained them on expected etiquette, now you get to see the fruits of your labor.

8. NEVER leave your baby alone with a dog!  Enough said.

I hope this post was helpful to both you and your four legged friend.  If you have any other tips or tricks, please leave a comment!