How to prepare my dog for a newborn baby? If you’re like the majority of people, your four-legged companion is your first “baby.” Many individuals are too concerned about how their dog will react to the arrival of a new baby in their lives. Because they are afraid that the family pets would damage the newborn, many owners consider getting rid of them. In this article, we will find answers on how to prepare my dog for a newborn baby.
Please only do this if you have no other choice. When properly treated and taught, most dogs can cope well with life with a baby.
When properly trained and taught how to interact with one another, children and dogs make excellent friends. Children who grow up in a family with pets learn to love and appreciate animals, as well as to value life.
As the kids become older, they may learn responsibility by assisting with animal care. Animals have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of our children.
Having a baby can cause issues for both people and dogs since the dog is treated differently and may act differently as a result. Some owners pamper their dogs excessively, causing them to become spoilt and difficult to manage.
Other owners become too worried and scold the dog for engaging in natural, inquisitive behavior around the infant. Our dogs are often the focus of our universe, our “babies,” and they might become “jealous” if they aren’t prepared to lose that role to the new baby.
Everyone can live in peace if you are ready to put in the time and effort to prepare your pets for the new arrival.
The dogs might become overprotective of the infant at times. Many owners like and even prefer their dog to be the baby’s guardian.
While it is natural for a dog to become protective of the newborn, it is harmful if the dog becomes overprotective and refuses to let anybody approach the child. All of the aforementioned circumstances can result in the dog being ejected from the house!
As you prepare to welcome your new baby home, you should also prepare your dog(s) in advance, if feasible. While most dogs will be friendly with the infant, because of their size, scent, and unusual noises, many dogs do not recognize newborns as people.
If you take the time to show your dog some extra love and attention, he should be OK and will not resort to negative behavior in order to win your attention.
You must prepare and train your dog for what is to come. This will guarantee that they are ready and willing to welcome the new member of the family with open arms and loving hearts.
To assist promote a better-behaved dog, you can use soothing treatments (herbs, aromatherapy, oils) and/or prescription medicines. You can enquire about these products and the risks connected with their usage by speaking with your veterinarian. Instead of utilizing medications, I prefer to use a holistic approach wherever feasible.
How to prepare my dog for a newborn baby?
Always remember that your dog is an animal and that animals may bite or injure a newborn, whether purposefully or accidentally. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG ALONE WITH YOUR BABY, no matter how well-behaved or affectionate he or she is!
This is something I cannot emphasize enough. Accidents do occur. You don’t want to endanger your child or have to put your dog down because of a mishap that might have been avoided.
Please seek the counsel of a professional trainer or behaviorist if you are unclear whether or not your dog will welcome your new baby.
Whether you like it or not, how you treat and interact with your dog counts. It may make or break your dog’s willingness to accept and appreciate your child. You will be viewed as a leader if you act like one.
You prefer your dog to treat everyone in your house, including your newborn, with respect. Respect for the infant must be instilled in your dog. Everyone’s lives will be made simpler as a result of this.
1. Be firm, but don’t forget to be fair
Allowing your dog to get away with things is not a good idea, but neither is being a drill sergeant! Make any modifications as mild as possible while yet ensuring that they are effective. Try to enjoy your dog and the training; if neither of you enjoys it, neither of you will want to continue!
2. Pay attention to the tone of your voice.
REMEMBER NOT TO YELL AT YOUR DOG! Match the tone of your voice to what you’re saying to your dog to convey the meaning of the order. Short and concise commands should be given in a low, almost snarling tone. As you issue the instruction, do not raise your voice. Do not sing to your dog or pose a question to your dog!
You will not receive the desired response! When offering compliments, be sure you say them with sincerity! It should sound like the polar opposite of a command: louder and more passionate.
If your dog becomes excessively enthusiastic when you praise him, reduce the volume and talk gently. Your dog will still know he’s doing a fantastic job, but he’ll be less inclined to leap about and act erratically.
3. Is it okay for your dog to sit on your furniture?
If your dog is presently permitted on the furniture, you should rethink because your kid will most likely be on it a lot. Your infant may be irritated by dog hair and grime.
You also don’t want to have to clean up after the dog all of the time. When your dog jumps up on the couch or repositions himself, he may accidentally hurt the infant. To avoid issues, it’s important to restrict access to the furnishings.
4. Make use of a box
Now is the time to start using a crate with your dog if you haven’t before. A crate is not harsh; in fact, it may be a beautiful and secure environment for your dog.
Confining your dog at specific times, such as for sleep or when you are unable to watch, is no different than confining your kid. It’s actually rather simple to train your dog to tolerate being crated. Most people believe that a dog that has never used a crate before will struggle, but this is rarely the case.
Your dog can harm your child just as easily as your dog may harm your child. The issue is that it is your dog’s responsibility if the dog poses even the tiniest threat to your infant or even accidentally harms your kid. Something like that should not have happened to the dog since you were not watching the two of them at all times!
5. Take a break for your dog
Make sure your dog has some time apart from the newborn to relax. Time outs are a useful technique for allowing your dog to maintain its sanity as well as for when they are misbehaving.
6. Pay less attention to your dog friend
It’s now time to train the dog to anticipate less attention in a single sitting from you. You won’t have as much quality time with your dog after the baby arrives, but it’s still important to schedule time with your dog.
Schedule daily 5- to 10-minute sessions in which you focus only on your dog. You can engage in activities such as playing, grooming, caressing, or simply talking with your dog. This demonstrates to your dog that he is still a significant part of your life.
7. Maintain a cool and authoritative tone
Our pets get their energy and emotions from us. This has an impact on their actions and emotions. Our dogs will feel the same way if we are comfortable and confident, and they will understand that we are LEADING them and that they do not have to follow us.
8. Get rid of poor manners
Bad manners are not acceptable since they might endanger a new baby and a new mother. Jumping and nipping are habits that must be immediately halted. Stealing and rough-housing must also be stopped promptly.
9. Your new routine, as well as your canine companion
It’s time to rearrange the dog’s schedule in order to prepare her for the impending changes. Consider how much time you’ll have to devote to the dog for things like walks, feeding, toilet breaks, play, and attention.
Maintain a steady schedule for your dog so that she does not experience undue stress as a result of the changes that are occurring before your baby’s arrival.
It will be easier to achieve this aim if there are as few interruptions as possible. Once your dog is comfortable with the new routine, begin to introduce little changes to your regular activities.
Things don’t always go as expected when your baby comes. Even if you have every intention of sticking to your timetable, something will surely disrupt it! Babies do not adhere to timetables!
When possible, try to stick to a schedule so that your dog may have some sort of regularity. When the rules and routines are consistent, dogs feel safe.
10. Good behavior necessitates exercise
Exercise is critical for your dog, as I said earlier in the guide. It is very difficult and dangerous to have a dog pulling and out of control while trying to maneuver a stroller.
If you plan to use a baby carrier, sling, backpack, or car seat your dog needs to behave on the leash and walk with you, not pull you. It is a good idea to practice with the equipment before baby comes (use a doll in place of the baby) so that you can work out any kinks or problems.
Have regular obedience sessions with your dog so that she does not forget her commands and remembers that she has to listen at all times. This also helps to tire her brain! Try to work the commands into everyday life so that it becomes second nature to her.
Trying to handle a stroller with a dog tugging and out of control is extremely difficult and hazardous. If you want to use a baby carrier, sling, backpack, or car seat, your dog must walk beside you rather than pulling you.
It’s a good idea to practice with the equipment before the baby arrives (using a doll instead of the infant) so that any kinks or difficulties may be worked out.
Maintain frequent obedience lessons with your dog so that she does not forget her orders and understands the importance of always listening. This also aids in the exhaustion of her mind! Make an effort to incorporate the orders into her daily routine so that they become second nature to her.
You must educate the dog that this time may be spent either with or without the infant. Pets are also highly soothing, so this is a fantastic time for you to rest and unwind.
If you have more than one pet, keep in mind that each one will want special care if at all feasible. You may also pay attention to the pack at the same time if they get along, or you can let them play together to burn energy.
11. Your dog should be quiet and well-balanced
Before bringing an infant into the house, make sure your dog is calm and balanced.
It is critical that your dog learns to be quiet so that he does not injure you or the baby. Your dog must be balanced in order to avoid unnecessary stress and improper behavior.
If your dog isn’t calm and balanced, there are several things you may do to help him. To develop a peaceful and balanced dog, training and exercise are wonderful places to start.
If none of these methods work, your dog may be suffering from a mental or physical ailment. Consult your veterinarian and a canine behaviorist or trainer in your area.
They should be able to guide you in the appropriate route. They can advise you on the best course of action for you, whether it’s behavior modification, medicine, or holistic treatment.
12. Praising and rewarding your dog for being quiet and kind is a good way to start.
By incorporating instructions into your dog’s daily routine and play, he will learn to listen easily and naturally. It becomes second nature to the dog, and your dog is less likely to go out of control. It is also beneficial to you since it ensures that you train your dog every day, allowing you to become the leader rather than the follower.
Is your dog obedient?
It’s critical to teach your dog how to be kind so that he doesn’t unintentionally injure the infant. Many dogs overuse their teeth and must be taught how to utilize their jaws properly – without the teeth!
Is your dog a jumper?
If your dog jumps, training correct greetings might help to alleviate the problem. Your dog must be able to view people without leaping or becoming excessively excited.
There will most likely be a lot of visitors when the kid arrives, so he will need to be on his best behavior. It also makes it easier for your dog to behave properly and gently around the infant.
What will my dog do if my infant is harsh with her?
It’s critical to teach your dog what to anticipate physically from your baby so that she can cope with and respond appropriately when your baby tugs, smacks, or pushes her.
Infants and children are not often gentle by nature, and they must be taught how to be kind. Your dog’s little leaders must also teach him how to deal with these tendencies.
Begin to roughhousing your dog while praising positive behavior and gently addressing undesirable behavior such as nipping or mouthing, if feasible.
Children have a tendency to roughhouse with dogs, pulling on their ears and tails, putting their hands in the dog’s face, and touching sensitive regions on the dog.
To educate your dog on what to expect and how to cope with it correctly, you must model these actions. Make it a regular practice to spend time on the floor with your dog, lovingly caressing every area of his body.
This is beneficial because it allows the dog to tolerate contact in regions where it previously refused. It also teaches the dog to be nice and obedient to you and your baby while on the floor. Slowly, and your dong will understand it.
Your dog’s obedience training
Your dog should be housebroken and have basic manners. If you have the opportunity, I recommend enrolling in a training course.
Look for courses in your local training clubs or facilities, and be sure to observe one so you can see how they train. Make sure you’re familiar with the teachers and their skills.
Please look elsewhere if you are not permitted to observe a lesson. Legitimate trainers should have no objections to doing this and should urge you to do so.
To guarantee that your dog listens and is under control, he should be able to perform the following fundamental instructions and actions:
- Walk nicely on a leash
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Leave-it
- NO
- Understand boundaries
- Quiet
- Attention/Look
- Drop-it
- Go to Your Spot/Place
It will also be useful to teach the dog to respond to hand signals. If you don’t speak, a sleeping infant is less likely to be awakened.
It’s also a good idea to train your dog to walk on a leash both inside and outside the house. This gives you more control over your dog and tends to help the dog behave better.
Because most towns and cities have leash regulations, it is critical that your dog become accustomed to walking on a leash. You should also take your dog for a daily stroll.
This provides mental and physical stimulation for your dog, as well as physical exercise, which helps to wear them out, making them less prone to get into mischief and a better behaved dog overall.
1. Go To Your Spot, Spot
For a well-behaved dog, the “Go to Your Spot” command is a fantastic command to have in your repertoire. You may use this activity to keep your dog underfoot while still knowing where he is and what he’s doing, or to keep your dog at a distance while still knowing where he is and what he’s doing. It teaches your dog to lay down on a mat or blanket and stay there until he or she is freed.
Long down stays are crucial in general, whether or not your dog is “in a place,” since they help you keep control of him. It fosters a connection in which you are dominant (in charge or the alpha figure) in your and your dog’s minds by making them work for you.
2. Teach your dog what he may and cannot chew
Every dog chews. Each has a distinct motivation for doing so, as well as a physiological necessity to chew. They require chewing to both exercise their jaws and release pent-up tensions. Chewing excessively can also be a breed characteristic. Don’t set yourself up for failure to avoid difficulties.
3. In the home, there’s a stench
If your dog has an accident in the home or is not housetrained, you must clean it thoroughly to prevent repeat “accidents” or noting of the same spots, as well as to keep the surroundings clean.
Parasites and other diseases can be found in dog feces. Giardia, E. coli, and other worms and parasites can all be found in feces, and many of them can be transmitted to people.
4. Treats with a high monetary value should be used
When dealing with new infant sights, noises, and odors, use high-value rewards – ones your dog loves and doesn’t typically get.
This informs your dog that these are wonderful things and that instead of feeling malice or dread toward them, he should appreciate them and connect them with rewards. Make careful to make the goodies unique and only use them to familiarize your dog with the new baby.
5. Your dog’s health and hygiene are critical
Before you bring your kid home, make sure your dog has a clean bill of health and is clean. Take your dog to the doctor for a checkup to ensure he doesn’t have any health issues, since these might create undesirable behaviors in your dog, interfering with his relationship with your kid. Make sure he’s up to date on all immunizations, or that his titer levels are normal, and that he’s clear of worms.
6. Dog bath and groom
If your dog sweats, start a de-shedding program with regular grooming and a product like Linatone (available at your local pet shop, online, or through certain groomers), which has a specific blend of oils to aid the skin and coat. Avoid over-bathing your dog, since this can lead to skin issues in many dogs.
Make sure he doesn’t have any fleas or ticks, as this is unhygienic and can cause health problems for your kid. It also causes issues because you won’t have much time to wash him after the kid arrives. Using specific flea and tick medicine will help him stay flea and tick-free.
Begin educating your dog to tolerate having his paws and body cleaned when he enters the home from outdoors to help reduce the amount of dirt he drags in. It also lowers the chances that your dog may bring anything into the house that can trigger an allergic response in you or your child.
Also, because dog hair builds quickly, be sure you vacuum or sweep on a regular basis. This is especially crucial after your baby begins to crawl or spends a lot of time on the ground unless you want your infant to become a human Swiffer!
7. Keep a doll
Carrying a doll (ideally one that cries) around may seem ridiculous, but it is an excellent method to acclimate your dog to a new family member.
With a baby, everything is different. Because holding a newborn alters your posture and behaviors, your dog must be at ease and accept this. When you have the baby or the infant is out and about, the dog must also obey orders and be obedient.
Practicing common instructions with a doll will help your dog respond more quickly when the baby arrives. Take your dog on walks, play with him, and do everything else you normally do with your dog, both with and without the baby equipment and doll.
8. Baby noises
It’s also a good idea to get your dog acclimated to the sounds of a baby. This allows your dog to become acquainted with the strange noises she hasn’t heard before, so she isn’t surprised when the baby arrives.
Crying, gurgling, yelling/screaming, and baby babbling are not always natural sounds to hear in a dog’s environment. There is some music available for this purpose on the internet, and youtube.
At the start, keep the level low and just expose your dog for brief periods of time. Gradually raise the volume and length of time the noises are played. Play the recording at least once a day until the baby comes.
9. Children and newborns in their natural habitat
Exposing your dog to the actual thing – real infants and youngsters – is also a wonderful idea. You may ask your friends or family who have infants whether your dog is allowed to listen in or even record them for you. If your dog is well-behaved, you may take him to locations like parks where he can hear all of the noises that youngsters make.
Make sure you start this outside of your house so your dog doesn’t feel intimidated in her own space. The following stage is to expose your dog in your yard and then inside your home. Make this a gradual approach so that your dog becomes used to it.
10. The scent of a baby
A dog is frequently unfamiliar with the scents of a newborn. Slowly begin to acclimate your dog to these new scents by using the same items you would for your baby, such as baby oil, powder, baby wash, and diaper cream.
It’s also a good idea to use these items on baby blankets and clothing. Request old and unwashed blankets and burp cloths from friends or family who have infants so that the dog may become acclimated to the actual scents of a baby.
11. Prepare your Baby’s Room
Having the nursery set up enables your dog to grow accustomed to the changes in the house. It helps your dog to grow accustomed to the sights and noises associated with baby gear, reducing the likelihood of shock when the baby arrives.
If you don’t want your puppy in the nursery, start limiting access right away. This may be accomplished by closing the door or placing a baby gate in the entryway.
Your dog will not feel left out or threatened by the fact that he is no longer allowed in that room. Another wonderful suggestion is to place a dog bed outside the nursery so that your dog may remain close to you but not in the room.
He will not feel excluded, but rather included. Spend some time alone in the room with your dog to let him understand that this is going to be normal and that it is no longer his domain. When he realizes the room is no longer his, he will accept it and be less likely to want to reclaim it when the baby arrives.
It also aids in the cleanliness of the space by removing dog hair and grime. You’ll already have a lot of cleaning to do in the nursery!
When you intend to let your dog into the nursery, begin training him as soon as possible. Teach her to be calm in there and to avoid jumping on the furniture and baby gear.
It’s also a good idea to teach her how to do down-stays in the nursery so she may be with you and the baby while remaining out of the way and behaving. You could also want to put a bed or mat in there for your dog to sleep on (remove it when you and the dog are not in the room).
You should restrict the amount of time the dog spends in there after the baby begins to crawl and move around, and never leave the infant alone with the dog.
12. The items that belong to the baby are off-limits
State clearly that the baby’s belongings are not the same as the dog’s. Even if you practiced this before the baby arrived, dogs still require reminders.
It’s critical to properly dispose of dirty diapers so that your dog doesn’t acquire them. Dogs are particularly fond of anything that has been soiled by humans, such as dirty diapers and feminine products. Keep these items out of reach since they will make a huge mess and are extremely harmful to your dog if consumed.
They include substances that are harmful to your dog and can create obstructions. Furthermore, ingesting human feces might make your dog sick (as well as give him foul breath!).
Teach your dog to respect baby blankets by not laying or stepping on them. To educate your dog that they are off-limits, place them on the furniture and the floor.
If your dog attempts to walk or sleep on them, give him a strong “NO” and send him to a safe place to lay down. When your dog avoids them on his own, reward him with a treat or stroking for his excellent behavior, and he will learn that these items are not to be approached.
You want to avoid your dog injuring your infant while he or she is laying on or hiding beneath the blankets (as babies frequently do!).
13. Teach your dog which toys are his to play with.
It is advised that you educate your dog on which toys are his and which toys belong to the baby before the baby arrives so that you do not have any issues afterward.
This is also a wonderful idea since you won’t have to worry about using your baby’s actual toys for these activities because you can buy toys that are comparable to what your baby will have.
Using peanut butter (or something similar, such as cream cheese or cheese spread) and bitter apple is a simple method to achieve this (you can purchase this online or at pet stores) in order to find the answer ‘how to prepare my dog for a newborn baby.’
Place bitter apple on the toys for the infant and peanut butter on the toys for the dog. Take a little bitter apple on your finger and rub it about in your dog’s mouth before allowing him to choose whatever toys he likes.
This will enable your dog to detect the foul odor on the baby toys right away. If you don’t do this, the bitter apple will frequently dilute, allowing the dog to grab the baby’s toys because the taste is tolerable.
Keep some goodies on hand to praise your dog if he prefers his toys over the baby’s. Put the leash on the dog and you’re ready to go. Place the “marked” toys on the floor and let your dog choose the ones he wants to play with.
If he persists in attempting to grab the baby toys, tell him “no, leave-it” and, if necessary, tug him away with the leash. Do not attempt to harm the dog; instead, administer a swift correction while repeating “no, leave-it.” Praise and reward your dog when he or she “leaves” the baby toys alone.
By using these terms in the training sessions, you may teach the dog the ideas of “Mine,” “Baby’s,” and “Yours.” “Good! Yours!” you can remark when the dog goes for his toys.
“No, Leave-it, Baby’s,” says the dog when it goes for the baby’s toys. When the dog goes for something that is yours, you may apply the same approach as with the baby’s toys by substituting “Mine” for “Baby’s.”
Take away
Please keep in mind that if you leave your baby’s toys out, your dog will almost certainly try to take them. The temptation is too strong for her to resist, and she will most likely fail. Don’t put her in a position to fail!
Get toys for the dog that aren’t the same as the baby’s – no plush animals or rattles. There are many nice dog toys that are not the same as baby toys.
Finally, just leave out a handful of the dog’s toys at a time. This will keep her from succumbing to the “anything within my grasp is mine!” mentality. She will be less likely to grab items she shouldn’t if she understands that the three toys on the ground are hers.
If you follow the steps outlined in this article on ‘how to prepare my dog for a newborn baby’, you should have no trouble acclimating your dog to your new baby. Always seek a competent trainer if you’re unsure! This blog is solely for educational purposes.
More Interesting Artiles
- Golden Retriever Corgi Mix Puppies – Reality and Myth
- Are Huskies Good with Cats? Husky Meets Cat
- Labrador Retriever Puppy Black Facts
- Labrador Retriever Puppies in Virginia – Breeders List
- Labrador Retriever Puppy Facts and Traits
- Indian Golden Retriever Facts and Traits
- Dalmatian Dog Breed – Info and Price
- Siberian Husky Color – What Color of Siberian Husky is the Best?
- Afghan Hound Puppy Dog Breed Facts
- Borzoi Dog Breed – Profile | Facts | Traits | Grooming
- Brittany Dog Breed Facts and Information
- Komondor dog breeds Facts and Price for Sale
- Azawakh dog – Facts for Azawakh Dog Breed Buy
- Saluki Dog – Breeders | Breed | Price | For sale | Picture
- Greyhound Dog – Breed | Breeders | Price | Racing | Facts
- Scottish Deerhound – Puppies | Breeders | Rescue | For Sale
- Otterhound – Puppy | Rescue | Dog | Breeders | Price | For Sale
- Coton de Tulear Dog Breed
- Havanese Dog – What kind of Dog is a Havanese?
- Bulldog Types – Which is your Most Favorite Bulldog Breed?
Tags
newborn baby and dog hygiene
how to teach a dog to be gentle with babies
why are dogs gentle with babies
training a dog for a new baby
worried about my dog and new baby
newborn baby and dog sleeping in same room
dog behavior with new baby
dog germs and newborns
