New Baby And Dog?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I’m pregnant and also have an Italian Greyhound. She’s a very loving dog but very skiddish, and typically scared of small children. I worry that when the baby comes she might snap, snarl, or bite if the baby plays too rough. Any advice for how to train the dog/get the dog used to the idea of a baby? This is our first baby, and the dog has been the center-of-atention in our house. The dog is spoiled and like our baby now. How can I help the dog transition?
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Every dog is different. Just like people, they have their own personalities. So what works for one dog may not work for another. That being said, these are some things that we did with our “only child” dog, Beckie, to acclimate her to the idea of the baby:
1. Make sure dog is obedience trained. A refresher course is not a bad idea. We didn’t do this per se, because I trained my own dog, but I spent some extra time going over commands with her just to make sure she hadn’t lost any. It’s really helpful to be able to tell her “sit” or “heel” and have an INSTANT response.
2. Set up for the baby ahead of time. You’re probably doing this anyway, but let your dog check out the baby furniture, etc., as you set it up. We left the car seat on the floor with a baby doll in it (see #3) and just ignored it. She was afraid of it at first, but after a while would walk over and sniff it.
3. Get her used to the idea of you having a baby with you. I picked up a baby doll that cries, laughs, and kicks (doesn’t wet…no use making extra work for myself!). I carried the doll around while it cried, put it down in the carseat, let it “sleep” in the crib. We praised Beckie any time she showed mild, non-aggressive interest. By the way, a life-sized baby doll is also great for practicing diapering, swaddling, and carrying. My husband and I had many debates over the finer points of swaddling with that doll!
4. Get her used to the baby scent. When your partner goes home from the hospital to let her out/feed her, send home an article of clothing that baby has been wearing. I actually snuggled up with the hat for a while, too, so she associated me with the baby smell. Leave it where she can smell it but don’t force it on her.
5. When the baby came home, I greeted Beckie without the baby, then showed him to her. I covered his face and head with my hands and let her sniff him. After that, I didn’t push the issue. If she approached him, I let her, and talked calmly to her and pet her, but if she wasn’t interested, I left her alone.
We now have a happy, healthy 8-week-old baby and a well-adjusted dog! Like others above, Beckie is very protective of “her” baby, and will come alert me if he’s crying. Good luck and congrats on your “second” child!
a dog trainer may help u. But mind it, an animal is an animal. So, better be safe and keep away from dog instead of regretting later. However, if the dog is near the baby, ur baby may develop infections and so its strongly not advisiable.
talk to someone at petsmart or your vet. i am sure your vet can give you alot of info.
When you have the baby take a blanket that your baby has been wrapped in and have someone take it home to your dog to smell, then leave it with her for the remainder of your hospital stay. When you come home with her, keep using the blanket thing till she gets older. At this point she is used to the smell of the baby, then you should be able to bring her around her without any problems. She will be with the baby as she grows, and will be used to her as she is used to you and your husband. IF she ever growls at the baby, give her a tap to make her understand that that is not OK.
We had our son 11 months ago and when I was pregnant I made my husband buy another dog for our current dog because she was spoiled and center of attention figured if she had a playmate it would be easier when the baby came. When our son was born our dogs weighed 60 and 90{ pounds {neighter was a yr old} and we had this tiny little human being. My husband brought home his hat and blanket while we were in the hospital for them to smell then when we came home we introduced them through their kennel fence. The first time they came into DIRECT contact I almost had heart failure thinking the worst would happen. They smelled his feet and went about their business. When he cried to be fed or when he woke up if they were in the house they’d go look in on him and walk away. If he cried while I was upstairs and he was in his bassanete downstairs they’d stand at the bottom of the stairs and bark once to get my attention. When he became mobile again I thought the worst but they sat there and let him climb on them, pull their ears, pull their cheeks, bite them and so forth. He is 11 months old now and he gets excited when the dogs come over to him which is every second they have him in their sight. They are very protective of our son now and I think the Lab is his best friend
Italian Greyhounds in general are usually good with kids. Remember as the baby grows your dog will also mature and they are smart enough to know to move away from a baby when they have had enough. BTW beautiful dog I just adore them would like one but with my two monsters its not possible.
I had the same problem but the dog actually took over the protction area. He was VERY protective of my son. I did ask the vet so what we did was about 1 month before the baby came we would have a baby doll and we would sit with it and everything. And then when you bring the baby into the house for the first time you need to introduce the dog to the baby. Sounds strange but it works. Hope this helps and good luck! Dogs are very good with kids so try not to worry
It’s more likely that the dog will ‘take over’ as guardian of the baby, and bite anyone who is seen as a threat to her/him.
Dogs are very pack oriented, and will probably look for a job to do when the baby arrives. You will have time to see the reaction as the newborn won’t be able to ‘come after’ the dog.
Watch it’s reaction for the first few weeks after the baby comes home and see if any problems develop.
You dog may also become very jealous of the new baby, all the more reason to give it a job to do, like guarding!
I think you should start now to treat your dog as a dog, not a member of the familly.
Some exercices you could try:
- start now so she will not link the change with the arrival of the baby.
- when coming back home, do not pet your dog straight away. Do not even look at her. Take time to take of your shoes, coat, shoping bags on the table… end then pet her. This will re-enforce your position as the boss.
- always your meal before hers. And the baby’s food before hers.
- I would not allow the dog to access the bed or the couch.
I never seen any dog having issues with babies. Usually they look ‘moved’ when they see / hear the baby.
I am only talking from persanal experience, you probably ask for advices to your vet .
Good luck and congrats for the baby
this sounds exactly like what happened with our little dog, after the baby was born the dog was very protective of my son but wasnt nasty in anyway she would just sit under his cot and highchair etc and if he cried she would come running to me to let me know, however every dog is different and just to be on the safe side i would seak help from a pro dog trainer as they will be able to advise you and maybe help you to retrain the dog after the baby is born.
I personally would consult a profesional dog trainer, better safe than sorry.
My dog completely ignored the baby, wouldn’t even go in the same room as the baby unless the baby was sleeping AND one of the adults was in there.
You may find the same thing happens with the newborn. Of course keeping the newborn out of reach is a good plan.
Try to alter your schedule now as much as possible so it isn’t as big a change when the baby comes.
Hi ,
Well i found this really helpful guide ,its a really professional training called sit stay fetch , it teaches you how to train your dog by yourself , check it out at http://www.dogobediencetraining.co.nr , its a easy step by step videos and book Hope this helps you with your dog
Good luck