How to Adapt Dogs to Your Baby

A new baby can be a surprise to dogs who are used to getting lots of attention.

A new baby in the house is exciting for the parents, but dogs are not always so sure about the changes and how it will affect their place in the pecking order. Dog owners can take steps before the baby even arrives to help dogs adapt to having a new little one in the house. Once the baby arrives, parents should also consider the feelings of the dogs and give them adequate attention. Before long the dogs, baby and parents will settle in and everyone should enjoy the new family dynamics.

Things You'll Need

• Dog treats
• Door gate or screen door
• Dog leash

Instructions

Help Dogs Get Ready for Baby's Arrival

1. 

   Brush up on dog obedience commands such as "sit" and "stay."

   Take the dogs to obedience training. If you already have trained dogs, brush up on skills. Once the baby comes home things will be easier if it is already clear that the owner is in charge and limits and boundaries are established.

2. 

   Teach dogs to stay out of the baby's room.

   Make the baby's room off-limits. Dogs who have been accustomed to having the run of the house will need some time to adjust to this, but for health and safety, it is important to keep dogs out of a baby's room. If the dogs cannot be trained to stay out, the Humane Society in "Introducing Your Pet and New Baby" suggests installing a gate, or even a screen door if a gate does not keep the dogs out of the room.

3. 

   Get dogs accustomed to the smell of baby products.

   Expose the dogs to new sounds and smells. A dog will be less stressed if everything is not new all at once, so use some of the baby powder or lotion on yourself so the dog can become accustomed to it. Access sound bites of crying babies on the Internet and play them occasionally so these noises will not surprise the dogs.

Help Dogs Adjust Once the Baby is Born

1. 

   Bring home a sheet or blanket the baby slept on so dogs can adjust to her smell.

   Bring home the baby's receiving blanket before the baby comes home. This will allow the dogs to get to know the smell of the baby before she arrives. Wear the blanket somewhere on you so the dogs associate the smells with something positive.

2. 

   Greet the dogs before bringing the baby in the house.

   Greet the dogs first when bringing the baby home. Take the baby in another room or leave him in the car supervised for a few minutes so that you can give the dogs a few minutes of attention like you normally would.

3. 

   Use a leash the first time a dog meets the new baby.

   Put the dogs on a leash when introducing the dogs and baby for the first time. This gives parents some control if the dogs behave in an unpredictable way and they need to be separated quickly.

4. 

   Keep dog walks and feedings on the pre-baby schedule.

   Keep the dogs' schedule consistent. It is important to not let the baby be the source of disruption in the dogs' life. Keep feeding, walking and grooming schedules the same.

5. 

   Reward dogs that behave in an appropriate manner.

   Reward well-behaved dogs with a treat. Keep a supply of dog treats on hand and reward them with a snack and a cuddle when they behave in a positive way, such as lying down at your feet when you are holding the baby, or staying out of the baby's room.

Tips & Warnings

• Once a baby becomes mobile, dogs often feel threatened by the changes again. Use careful supervision and reward dogs who are gentle with a crawling baby. Teach the baby from an early age how to pet the dogs and treat them well.

• Even the most even-tempered dogs can be jealous of a new baby. Always supervise pets and never leave a baby alone with a dog,

References

• Humane Society: Introducing Your Pet and New Baby
• CNN: "How to Introduce a New Baby to Your Dogs" April 3, 2009