How to introduce a Newborn to a Dog

Introducing your dog to a newborn baby is not easy especially since they have been the baby for so long. Did you know that dog bites are the second-leading cause of emergency room visits for children? To not be a part of this statistic, prepare your dog in advance for the various sounds and smells, which if introduced properly makes it much easier when the baby comes home. Here are some ways to get your dog ready for the baby’s arrival.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• patience
• consistancy
• love
• gates blocking off baby room(optional)

1. take dog to vet for exam and necessary vaccinations

2. Spay or neuter your dog making them calmer and less likely to bite

3. Get dogs nail trimmed

4. Address any training and behavior problems, dog should follow sit, stay, down, leave it, and come when called as this is a no brainer for possible situations that can occur while being around baby.

5. Play Baby Sounds for Your Dog by turning on baby toys or recorded crying and associate these sounds with positive experiences giving a treat or playtime

6. Allow friends with infants to visit getting dog used to the smells, noises, and movement of dog with close supervision of interaction

7. use a swaddled doll, doing all the things you would do with the newborn to get your dog used to the routine with the real thing. (A baby doll that makes real sounds is preferable)

8. Bringing Baby Home
   
   It is important that mother when coming in greets dog, this later prevents condemnation when baby walks through the door

9. Allow time to pass before a formal introduction between baby and dog.

10. When introduction is made the dog should be leashed preferably several feet away, slow movements should be made toward baby

11. This is a process and can take several sessions before dog is close to baby

Tips & Warnings

• stay consistent with dogs feeding, playing, and exercise.
• sometimes when baby is in arms put dog in a sit/stay position and reward him with a treat so he will begin to associate baby,sit,stay, treat.
• NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER leave baby unattended with dog present, dogs are predatory and can potentially harm baby out of curiosity.

[ladyofthelake]

on 8/15/2009 I wrote an article on the same subject and although we have different suggestions I think your article gives great advice and will also help lots of new Mommy's.
Great job!

[malonedwards]

on 8/5/2009 Super article! 5*

[stephtice]

on 8/4/2009 Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[rachelscott]

on 8/2/2009 Very informative! Liked reading because I am thinking of starting a family soon. Can't wait to read more of your articles! 5* and rec

[tachic]

on 8/2/2009 Great tips to introduce a newborn to a dog.