Welcome to The Labrador Club

Introducing a New Baby to your Dog

INTRODUCING YOUR DOG TO THE FIRST BABY IN THE FAMILY

Your dog is a part of your family, or as he sees it, its pack. Your dog is happiest when you clearly and consistently communicate to him that you are in charge. Simple obedience exercises like sit or down before dinner, attention, going for a walk or jumping in the car for a ride, explain to your dog who the boss is. If you have a dog that does not want to get off the furniture, growls when you approach his food or refuses to lie down on command, please consult a qualified positive trainer before you bring the baby home.

Most dogs will accept a baby simply as another member of the pack. The baby is going to make a big difference in your life and probably also in that of your dog. We can help the dog adjusting by planning.

Let us look at a typical scenario; your first experience with parenting was your dog. Now you have decided it is time for the real thing. This should be a happy occasion for everyone, including your loyal furry friend. Up until the baby arrives the dog usually gets a lot of attention. He may be allowed to sit on the sofa with you, or sleep on your bed. He follows you around the house and is your constant companion. While watching television you pat your dog absentmindedly each night. Your dog is highly sensitive to the amount and nature of attention you give him. Realistically new parents are not able to spend as much time with their dog as they used to. New parents -to- should prepare the pet for the changes to come. These changes in routine should be made well before the baby comes home so that the dog does not associate the baby with its change of circumstances.

Some of the questions parents- to- will have to ask themselves are:

• Is the dog still allowed on the bed or sofa once the baby arrives?
• Will the time that your dog is normally fed, change?
• How much time will be available for exercise and play?
• Can the dog’s obedience be verbally controlled?
• Does the dog walk on the lead without pulling?

Before the baby arrives.

If you feel you pay constant attention to your dog, especially if he demands it, cut down on the amount of time you give him attention. However, do not cut down on the positive quality of the attention. Ask the dog to sit each time he seeks petting. Then pay full attention to him before you go on with another activity.

Review the dog’s obedience training. It is very important to have the dog under reliable verbal control. If the dog will readily respond to sit, down, and stay, you will have tools with which to control the dog. This will reduce the incidence of undesirable behaviours that may result in scolding or confinement.

If your pet has any type of behavioural problem, resolve it now while your life is still relatively uncomplicated.

Talk to friends or family with children to get an idea of how much time you will have for your dog, and set up a feeding, exercise, and play schedule that can be maintained while providing for the demanding needs of the new-born.

When baby arrives home.

When you bring your new-born home, sit your dog beside you while holding the baby, and reinforce it a few times by offering it a few titbits. The smell and sight of the baby will then be associated with great benefits in the dog’s mind.

Allow the dog to investigate the baby by sniffing and watching it. Always monitor the interaction. Tell him he is a good dog if he remains calm. If your dog gets quite excited when you are holding the baby, then postpone the sniffing until later. You know your dog best. Pat the dog and make a fuss of it while the baby is present. For instance, if you are nursing baby and your dog is quietly lying down, tell him what a good dog he is!

Feed your dog in the presence of the baby, so that all good things in life happen when the baby is around.

Do not leave baby and dog unsupervised.

Attention, affection, and food are three very important needs that a dog strives to fulfil for itself. If the new parents make sure that each of these needs is supplied in the presence of the baby, then a positive relationship will develop between the new-born and the dog. Do not isolate the dog whenever you want to pay attention to the baby, the dog will think that the baby is responsible for having its privileges withdrawn. Nobody responds to that situation favourably!