Newborn Babies & Your Dog: Approach This Situation Carefully

To a dog, a new baby entering the home is simply a new member joining the pack. Instinctively, most canines are tolerant of infants, whether they are puppies or human babies. What is the best way to handle a child's arrival? Keep in mind that dogs are routine-oriented creatures. If your dog has been the center of attention for several years and suddenly has to play "second fiddle" to a new baby, the dog is likely to experience stress. Your actions and attitude can go a long way toward alleviating his anxiety.

Think about the routines you and your dog have together. If a morning walk after breakfast is a daily habit, make every effort to keep doing that after the baby arrives. Do you always play ball in the yard with your dog after work? Keep it up without fail. Even though your household routines changed dramatically when the baby arrived home, preserve as many old routines for the dog as you can. This will give him a bit of security when his world seems turned upside-down. If you have no "old" routine with your dog, establish one before the baby joins the household and stick with it.

It is advisable to socialize your dog with children before a new baby arrives. Take your dog to visit friends who have children. While supervising closely, evaluate your dog's reactions and attitudes. Make sure that the visit is an agreeable one so the dog will have positive associations with children. Play with a ball, go for a walk together, and so on. Be sure that the children are not rough with the dog. Do not permit games such as tug-of-war or wrestling. Play should not be so vigorous as to inspire nipping.

When the new baby arrives, make sure that the dog again makes positive associations with the youngster. For example, sit the baby on your lap and give the dog a few treats. Take the dog for a walk at the same time you walk the baby in the stroller. Pet the dog while you feed the infant. This assumes, of course, that the dog is not going wild and that you have some control mechanisms over him. That's why obedience training the dog is so important before you have your hands full with a newborn.

As the baby matures, the dog may become more assertive with him or her. The dog may try to maintain his position in the pecking order of the pack by growling or snapping at the youngster. An adult dog generally begins such assertive behavior when a child is about one- and-a-half to two years old.

Many people think that their dog is "jealous" of the child. I do not believe dogs are capable of feeling the emotion of jealousy. But I do know that they will compete for attention. An example of this would be the dog who is sitting by the owner's leg, craving attention. Suddenly the two-year-old child climbs into the parent's lap, and the dog growls or snaps at the child. The anthropomorphic dog owner will interpret the dog's competitiveness for attention as jealousy. Whatever it is termed, this behavior should not be tolerated. Correct your dog immediately with a firm "NHAA" and make him lie down and stay. When you are ready, release him and then give lots of attention and praise.