Creature Feature
And Baby Makes Four!
By Stephanie Karpf, DVM
When a new baby is brought into a home where a dog is already residing, this can be a point of anxiety for both the new parents and the dog. It is best to try to anticipate these problems and head them off, rather than waiting to react to a problem after it has already been established. Here are some tips that can be followed, to make the introduction of this new tiny family member, as seamless as possible.
–Before the new baby is brought home, it is best to obtain a recording of baby noises. Especially the sounds of a baby crying. This recording should be played at a low volume at first, for 5-10 minute sessions. The volume can then gradually be increased over time. During these sessions, you should have your dog follow basic commands like “sit” and “stay”, and be sure to give plenty of food rewards for performing these commands while listening to the baby cry. The volume should then be increased until the actual volume of a baby crying is reached.
–Obtain a baby doll and start carrying it around the house with you. Reward your dog for remaining calm and collected while in the “baby’s” presence.
–Have new furniture for the baby’s room, and new equipment or products that you will be using, arrive well before the arrival of the baby.
–After the baby is born, some of the swaddling cloths or undershirts the baby has been wearing in the hospital, should be brought home for the dog to examine. Let the dog sniff at these and even sleep with them, to allow them to become accustomed to the baby’s scent.
–When you come home from the hospital with your new addition, it is a good idea to bring an extra family member along to hold the baby while you enter your home. This will allow you to greet your pets, without having the baby in your arms.
–Actual introduction of the baby to the dog is the next step. During this introduction time, it is very important that the dog be under complete control. This can be done using a harness or head-halter with leash. Have one person holding the baby while seated, and the other person controlling the leash of the dog. The person holding the leash should be watching closely for any sign of aggressive or unacceptable nonaggressive behavior (i.e. pawing at the baby). If these should occur, then interaction between the dog and baby should immediately be stopped. If aggressive behavior is show, then the dog should not be allowed any contact with the infant and the veterinarian should be contacted.
–When a new baby arrives, it is very common for the parents to only show attention to the dog when the baby is sleeping. This is unfortunate, as it teaches the dog that the baby is something negative, since its presence results in no attention for the dog. Therefore, it is imperative that you take care to show your dog attention, while your baby is awake. This is most easily accomplished if one parent is attending to the awake infant, while the other parent is showing attention either through petting or playing with the dog. When the baby is asleep, it is best to not show the dog much attention at all. This way, the dog will start to associate the baby’s presence with positive feelings.
The most important thing to keep in mind concerning the relationship between babies and dogs…is that even the most trusted pet can potentially hurt a new infant. Therefore, a dog should never be left alone with an infant or toddler, no matter how “good” you feel that this pet behaves.
Dr. Karpf is the co-owner of The Visiting Vet, a housecall service for dogs and cats serving Palm Beach County. For an appointment, please call 561-252-8874.