Congratulations! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ll soon be welcoming a new addition or have just welcomed them home. While it is an exciting time, becoming a new parent brings many new experiences. This includes introducing your dog to your baby. Rather than diving straight in, baby-dog introductions take time, patience, and planning. Changes that come with a newborn can cause your dog stress, and they can’t ask what’s happening! Keeping calm and positive throughout the entire introduction process is key to preventing emotions (human or canine) from spiralling.
There’s no particular way dogs react to babies — each dog is different, says Joe Nutkins, a Kennel Club-accredited dog trainer and canine behaviourist. “A Labrador who has never had experience with children may find a new baby stressful,” he continues. “Meanwhile, a Boxer that has grown up with family and friends bringing their children to visit could be very acclimated to a young baby and adjust without problems.”
However, Nutkins says some breeds can be more adaptable to living with a newborn (and eventually toddlers). These include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Coton de Tuléar, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, some Terrier and Spaniel breeds, and even the Bernese Mountain Dog. He adds that some typically enjoy the attention of children as they grow but are not generally noise-sensitive or overly boisterous.
Below, we explain the best ways to prepare your dog for a new arrival and all the steps to introduce your pup and a baby properly.
How To Prepare Your Dog For A Baby
Nutkins says engaging in training and socialisation exercises with your dog to help prepare them for the new arrival – before you bring the baby home – is essential.
First, start involving them in fun activities you can manage one-handed or hands-free later on. “This could include games like fetching a toy or items that will be handy, like a packet of baby wipes, or tricks like pawing your foot or putting a toy in a box,” Nutkins suggests.
If your dog likes to play, bite, or jump up, it’s essential to work on these behaviours before the arrival. These behaviours can be dangerous around a baby; additionally, Nutkins says, once the baby arrives and takes attention away from your dog, those attention-seeking behaviours are likely to increase if left unresolved.
To help your dog deal with changes in routine, start making adjustments sooner rather than later. For instance, if you go for a walk after lunch, start heading out at different times so they become more flexible. However, keep their mealtimes as usual, shares Caroline Wilkinson, a certified canine behaviourist and founder of digital pet coaching service Barket Place.
Additionally, dogs have an incredible sense of smell, meaning they’ll definitely pick up on new baby scents. If you’ve picked the talc or creams you’ll use on the baby, start putting these on your body so your dog gets a good sniff. Think about incorporating baby scents into ‘fun’ things, too – perhaps giving their favourite stuffed toy a wash in baby-safe detergent.
“Strong scent can be linked to bad experiences for dogs. So using products with a new scent during play and games can make a difference,” Nutkins explains.
How To Introduce Your Dog Before The Birth
Many dogs and soon-to-be human mums say their pups can sense the baby in the womb. But is this the case? Sort of, Wilkinson says. She says that while there’s no clear research showing that dogs can fully understand if a baby is present, they can detect changes in the human body.
“Not only does the body change in shape, but there are a lot of hormonal changes that your dog will be able to smell,” she adds. “Plus, canines have an incredible sense of hearing, so they may be able to hear your baby’s heartbeat or movements within the amniotic fluid.”
Lastly, you might be tempted to bring a carload of baby items into your home at once. However, Wilkinson says that introducing a few items at a time will help your dog acclimate and reduce the risk of negative reactions. “You might start by bringing one baby item into your home and leaving it in one place for a week or two before moving it to a different position – and slowly repeat this for each item,” she suggests.
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How To Introduce Your Dog To A Newborn
How soon can you introduce a dog to a baby? Wilkinson says it’s usually best to expose your dog to a newborn as early as possible. “That said, if your family, friends, or preferred pet sitter can give you a day or two to get used to having a baby at home, that will help you feel less stressed when your dog returns,” she notes.
Rather than going all-in on introductions, Wilkinson walks through a step-by-step approach.
- Establish one-on-one time between mum and dog. This will allow your dog to calm down from the excitement of reuniting before any introductions.
- Secure your baby somewhere safe; Wilkinson suggests a car seat on a table or a “Moses” basket. Then let your dog sniff around the room. If your dog likes to jump, keep them on a lead or scatter treats on the floor to keep their nose to the ground.
- Have yourself or a family member hold the baby while standing or sitting. Then, as your dog approaches, have some treats ready to throw. This allows your dog to approach for a second or two to sniff, then go away with some treats.
- Repeat this for a few minutes, watching how your dog’s body language expresses what they’re feeling. You might have someone take the dog for a short walk or give them a long-lasting chew.
After initial introductions, plan for the future. Importantly, never leave your dog alone with a newborn, says Jo Sellers, dog trainer and founder of Pippin Pets Dog Training. She suggests closely monitoring your dog around your child until your child is a young teen. If your dog is in pain, hasn’t had decent rest, or has been bothered by a child, just an innocent hand straying close to the dog’s feeder toy might be enough for a bite to happen.
Wilkinson agrees, recommending ‘management’ measures, such as stair gates and room dividers to separate your dog and baby when necessary. If your dog sleeps in your bedroom, she also suggests creating a comfortable sleeping space elsewhere that they can get used to before the baby arrives to avoid disturbances.
What Do Dogs Think of Babies?
Many dogs like and are interested in babies, though there’s little evidence that they understand them as little humans.
For a dog, a baby’s appeal is its small size, interesting squeaky noises, and strange smell. Though they might not get the finer points, dogs do typically understand that babies are small and helpless.
For some dogs, that can trigger a protective instinct or a desire to play. Other dogs, particularly those less socialised around children, may find babies alarming and unpredictable.
Dog & Baby Interactions Troubleshooting
Various behavioural issues can arise in dogs during initial interactions with a new family member. For instance, they might start showing signs of jealousy (such as whining when you cradle the baby) or resource guarding (being possessive over items). So what should you do if this happens?
Sellers say rewards and positive reinforcement are your friends. “Reward your dog for looking at the baby and staying at a distance,” she explains. Settle training is excellent here, too.” Next, if you’re dividing a room to keep the baby and the pup apart, make the ‘dog zone’ appealing to your pooch. Fill the area with lots of interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and several cosy beds.
Lastly, don’t ignore your dog while they’re in their ‘zone’, and give them lots of short walks and time away from the baby.
If your dog growls or barks at the baby, avoid automatically scolding them. Vocalisations are a form of communication, so consider what might be causing these. Sellers suggests asking yourself:
- ‘Is the dog healthy or stressed?’
- ‘How much rest are they getting?’
- ‘What was happening just before that may have elicited their reaction?”
After asking these questions, Sellers says you can decide how to help your dog cope better. Ultimately, it’s crucial to be patient. “The whole family is adjusting, and your dog is, too,” she adds.
iStock/Cheng NV
How To Monitor Dog & Baby Interactions
Baby monitors are a must-have for parents to keep an eye on their baby when out of the room. Similarly, pet cams allow you to watch your dog when you can’t be with them. These devices are OK to use when the dog and baby are apart, but Sellers says they’re no substitute for being in the room yourself when a pup and child are together.
When your four-legged pal and baby are in the same room, monitor your dog’s behaviour for signs of discomfort. Sellers explains that stress, anxiety, and fear can present in dogs in numerous ways. These can include the following body language cues.
- Hesitation
- Avoidance
- A tense body
- Tight mouth
- Ears not in their natural ‘resting’ position
- Wide eyes
- Yawning
- Lip licking
- Vocalisations, from faint to loud
- Nose forward, but back legs extended behind
- Head flicking away
To help prevent such behaviours, ensure your dog has a quiet, baby-free space where they can retreat.
How To Build A Long-Lasting Bond Between Your Dog & Baby
Fostering a good relationship between your dog and baby begins with the first introduction. The best approach is to “look at ways you can include your dog at the same time as the baby,” Nutkins says. While your baby can’t play games with your pup, you can do so while holding or feeding the baby.
As your baby becomes a toddler, you can start increasing direct interactions but still always with an adult present. Nutkins advises starting with simple activities, like guiding your toddler’s hand to stroke your dog. “Another progression for children can be to give the dog a treat for just being good or for doing something you ask, like a sit cue,” she adds.
Offering your dog consistent feedback and sticking to routines where possible will also help foster a bond. For instance, Nutkins says letting your dog know they are doing something good while your baby is crying helps continue your interaction with them. This ultimately helps ensure they don’t feel left out.
iStock/Daniela Jovanovska-Hristovska
Takeaway
When introducing your dog and a newborn, slow and steady wins the race! Patience and understanding are vital, especially as neither can communicate their feelings. Remember: even if your dog is super friendly, never leave them unsupervised with a newborn.
Engage with your dog when the baby is around so they don’t feel they’ve been edged out. Ensuring your pup still feels important is key to helping them develop a good relationship with your new addition – and to stopping them from acting out to get attention!
Getting help from a canine behaviourist or certified dog trainer can be beneficial both pre- and post-arrival. For example, Nutkins says that, before the baby arrives, you might want assistance dealing with issues such as separation anxiety. “Working with a trainer or behaviourist doesn’t need to be only when there is a problem,” she concludes.
