Managing Dogs And Babies In The Home
Managing Dogs And Babies In The Home
If you're looking for a plan of how to safely introduce your new baby to your dog, why not consider this...
The first time you bring your baby home, make sure that somebody else is carrying the baby, so that mum and dog can say hello to each other properly. Don't punish your dog for getting excited when he sees mum for the first time - he's bound to be pleased that she's home! Just make sure that the baby is taken to another room while mum and dog say their hello's.
Encourage your dog to calm down once the hello's are out of the way.
It is vital that your dog is in a relaxed state before the baby is brought into the room. Give your dog treats for remaining relaxed and for obeying your commands. Make sure that your dog is properly leashed and that there is a fair distance between the dog and your baby - opposite sides of the room would be good.
As someone gradually brings your baby nearer, talk to your dog in a calm and reassuring tone of voice. It's vital that this process is not rushed, and is done in a positive happy atmosphere. If your dog tries to jump up at the baby, or you feel he is becoming anxious in some way, take him out of the room straight away.
Don't try to reassure you dog by stroking him and talking in a 'There,There' tone of voice, as this will only serve to confirm in his mind that he was right to be anxious or aggressive. Instead, tell him firmly 'No', take him from the room, and return him only when he has returned to a relaxed state of mind.
Ensure that your dog is still correctly leashed. When your dog is relaxed, he can now be allowed to take a brief sniff of the baby. Keep praising him for remaining relaxed and attentive to your instructions to 'Sit' or "Lie Down'.
Gradually increase the amount of time that you allow the dog to be close to the baby. If you are confident that your dog is now completely at ease around the baby, you can think about removing his leash, so long as you have another adult with you to help. You may decide it's best at this stage to put your dogs muzzle on.
Make sure your dog gets lots of one-on-one attention from the family members over the coming days - this will help him see the babys arrival as having lots of positive consequences for him.
If you are going to be at home on your own with the dog and baby, make sure you tie the dog securely to a heavy piece of furniture, or instead, use a baby gate to provide a barrier while still allowing your dog to feel included by being able to watch through the gate.
Under no cirumstances should you ever leave a dog and a baby alone unsupervised - not even for just a few seconds.
If you're looking for a plan of how to safely introduce your new baby to your dog, why not consider this...
The first time you bring your baby home, make sure that somebody else is carrying the baby, so that mum and dog can say hello to each other properly. Don't punish your dog for getting excited when he sees mum for the first time - he's bound to be pleased that she's home! Just make sure that the baby is taken to another room while mum and dog say their hello's.
Encourage your dog to calm down once the hello's are out of the way.
It is vital that your dog is in a relaxed state before the baby is brought into the room. Give your dog treats for remaining relaxed and for obeying your commands. Make sure that your dog is properly leashed and that there is a fair distance between the dog and your baby - opposite sides of the room would be good.
As someone gradually brings your baby nearer, talk to your dog in a calm and reassuring tone of voice. It's vital that this process is not rushed, and is done in a positive happy atmosphere. If your dog tries to jump up at the baby, or you feel he is becoming anxious in some way, take him out of the room straight away.
Don't try to reassure you dog by stroking him and talking in a 'There,There' tone of voice, as this will only serve to confirm in his mind that he was right to be anxious or aggressive. Instead, tell him firmly 'No', take him from the room, and return him only when he has returned to a relaxed state of mind.
Ensure that your dog is still correctly leashed. When your dog is relaxed, he can now be allowed to take a brief sniff of the baby. Keep praising him for remaining relaxed and attentive to your instructions to 'Sit' or "Lie Down'.
Gradually increase the amount of time that you allow the dog to be close to the baby. If you are confident that your dog is now completely at ease around the baby, you can think about removing his leash, so long as you have another adult with you to help. You may decide it's best at this stage to put your dogs muzzle on.
Make sure your dog gets lots of one-on-one attention from the family members over the coming days - this will help him see the babys arrival as having lots of positive consequences for him.
If you are going to be at home on your own with the dog and baby, make sure you tie the dog securely to a heavy piece of furniture, or instead, use a baby gate to provide a barrier while still allowing your dog to feel included by being able to watch through the gate.
Under no cirumstances should you ever leave a dog and a baby alone unsupervised - not even for just a few seconds.
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