Have you ever wondered how to introduce your dog to your new baby?
Times have changed and today, before thinking about having children, many couples prefer to adopt a dog. After a while, these couples decide to have a baby, a decision that brings great joy, but also a great concern: how will the dog adapt to the arrival of this new family member?
A new baby represents a significant change in any dog’s routine, so it’s essential to start grooming your pup even before the baby arrives.
Introducing your dog to your new baby doesn’t have to be a problem and we’ll prove it to you in today’s post. Check out some useful tips below that will help you in the process!
How to introduce dog to new baby:
1. Train your dog before the baby arrives
You should start training your pup even before the new baby arrives. We recommend that you carefully analyze your pup’s obedience skills to identify undesirable behaviors. After that, we’d recommend drawing up a strategic plan to eliminate these unwanted behaviors.
Dogs often show affection by jumping on their owners. This behavior can be a problem when the family is pregnant. Therefore, it is essential that you train your dog not to do this anymore, as it can unintentionally hurt both mother and baby.
To eliminate this problem, you can teach your dog to look for a toy as soon as people enter the house, moving him away from the point of entry. Another option is to reward your pup whenever he obeys your sit command and ignore him if he starts jumping.
It is important that you start training your dog as soon as possible, ideally as soon as you discover the pregnancy. After all, changing behaviors and creating new habits is not a process that happens overnight.
2. Modify Your Pup’s Routine
The arrival of a baby directly impacts the routine of the family and the dog. If your dog usually eats at fixed times, start by varying meals within a short 30-minute window. When he is more used to it, try to vary it within a 3-hour period. With this, you prevent your dog from showing bad behavior with the change in routine after the baby arrives.
You can do the same with the walks, varying the times of the activity. Try replacing some walks with an environmental enrichment activity, as on busier days, you probably won’t be able to go out with your pup.
Have in mind that your dog must continue to have his basic needs met. You need to plan ahead, but help your dog adapt to a less predictable schedule.
3. Changing the Rules
With the arrival of a new baby, you may want to consider some rule changes. For example, if your dog sleeps in the middle of your bed, it is recommended to change the rule and teach him to sleep in his own bed or crate.
Dogs are affectionate beings, and they like to be in your company. So if you don’t want your pup to enter your baby’s room, you can install a gate to separate them.
Before the baby arrives, you must teach your dog not to jump the gate. Reward your pup for standing on one side of the gate while you are inside the room. This can also help your dog make a positive association with the baby.
4. Desensitize Your Pup to Smells and Noises
Before the baby arrives, you can habituate your dog to some common odors, such as talcum powder, creams, and lotions. We recommend putting a small amount of a certain baby product on a cloth and placing it near the place where your dog usually sleeps. Leave the cloth there for a few days, but out of reach of the dog.
At first, your dog will be curious about the new scent, but after a while, his interest will wane.
You can also do the same with noises. Before the baby arrives, get your dog used to the noises that babies often make. Let the sound play while you offer a treat or while your dog does an activity he really enjoys. Gradually, your dog will seem less concerned about the sound.
5. Plan the big day
Once you have the due date set, assign a trusted person to take care of your dog. Ideally, this person should take your dog home for a few days.
Leave everything planned to avoid any inconvenience during this big day.
6. Introducing your dog to your new baby
By the time you arrive home from the hospital with the baby, your dog will have gone through several changes in his routine. This should help him get used to the baby faster.
But even after all the training, it’s only natural for your dog to be excited to see his parents after a while away. To avoid high levels of stress and anxiety, it is recommended that the parents attend to the pup first without the baby, to ensure that everyone is receiving the proper attention and reception.
Your dog is likely to be curious to meet the newest member of the family. Let your dog sniff the baby’s feet under your direct supervision.
If your dog doesn’t interact the first time, don’t worry, as he’s probably still getting used to the change.
Did you like to know how to introduce dog to new baby?
The arrival of a baby is always a very exciting time for everyone, even for dogs. After all, the vast majority love the company of babies and children. But for this relationship to flourish from the onset, you need to plan ahead and follow some strategies, like the ones we have shared in this content.
Now that you know how to safely introduce your dog to your new baby, you can start preparing your pup so that he adapts well to his new reality.
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