How to Introduce Your Child to Your Dog

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

There is a slight chance that your dog will be thrilled by the arrival of a baby in the house. The dog is very attached to his owner and may warn your child as a threat. To make sure your dog accepts it, try to gradually introduce it to your four-legged friend. Read on from Step 1 for more detailed instructions.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Prepare the Dog for the Baby's Arrival

Step 1. Start planning on time

The pregnancy lasts for nine months, which gives you enough time to prepare your dog for the baby's arrival. As soon as you discover that you are pregnant, start thinking about how you can do this. By doing this, you will have enough time to prepare your dog for the new routine.

Step 2. Make sure your dog understands the basic commands

Have the dog recognize orders like "No!" "Down!", "Stand up!", "Shut up!" it will be very important once the baby enters the house. Therefore, you should dedicate yourself to training him when you still have time.

• If you don't have the time or energy to do it yourself, entrust your dog to a dog trainer. It can be expensive, but if you teach him to be obedient, it will be worth it.

  

• For more information on how to train a dog, read this article.

  

Step 3. Gradually reduce the attention you give your dog

Prepare the dog for the arrival of the baby, gradually reducing the attention you give him day by day.

You don't have to ignore him completely, just teach him that you won't be at his disposal and that he will have to wait his turn

Step 4. Give the dog his space

Give him a place in the house that is exclusively his, such as the corner of the kitchen. It should be in a spot that doesn't get in the way, but that gives the dog the feeling of being part of the family.

Place her cot in this spot, along with her toys and bowls. Teach him to go to his couch when you ask him and give him a reward when he does what you tell him

Step 5. Set strict limits in the home

If you do not want the dog to enter a certain room (such as the child's room), teach him that it is a forbidden zone. Do not allow him to enter.

• If you allow it, make him smell something and then command him out. He will soon realize that he is no longer allowed to enter that room.

  

• A good alternative is to install a children's gate at the entrance to the child's room. This way the dog will always be able to see what is happening inside without entering the room.

  

Part 2 of 4: Getting used to the senses of the dog

Step 1. Make the dog smell your baby

Before bringing the baby indoors, let the dog get used to the baby's smell. Ask someone to bring home a dress that belongs to the baby or a blanket that it was wrapped in so the dog can smell it.

• In this way you will prepare your four-legged friend for the smell of the baby so that, by the time your child arrives home, he will already be a familiar presence for the dog.

  

• Dogs are very sensitive to smells and an unfamiliar one can seem like a threat to them. Therefore, it will be a smart move to get him to smell the baby's smell beforehand.

  

Step 2. Record the baby's voice and play it in front of your dog

A baby's voice (when crying, vocalizing, etc.) can make the dog nervous if he has never heard it before.

• Therefore, it is a great idea to record the baby crying in the hospital and have someone hear it before bringing the baby into the house. It won't be a shock to him when the baby arrives in the flesh.

  

• Alternatively, if you don't have time to make a recording, you can find a video or audio file on Youtube and play it for them.

  

Step 3. Make a simulation with a doll

Get a doll that looks like a real baby and makes baby-like noises. Allow your dog to smell her and teach him to get out of front when you change, bathe, or nurse her. This way you will educate him to behave appropriately when your child arrives in the house. Be sure to praise him when he engages in positive behavior.

Do not leave the doll anywhere where the dog could grab and chew it. Treat her as if she were a real child, so that the dog learns to respect her, understanding that she is not a toy

Step 4. Get the dog to get used to the new forms of physical contact

Gently touch the dog in all those places where the baby is likely to cling once it is a little bigger - tail, paws, mouth, ears and inside the ears.

Do this at least 5 times a day for a few minutes. Do this when your dog is engaged in his favorite activities, such as playing or eating, so he learns to connect this type of contact with something enjoyable

Step 5. See a specialist if your dog does not behave well around children

If your dog has never been in contact with a child before, take him for a walk to a nearby playground (keeping him on a leash). If he reacts aggressively by annoying children, you will know that additional measures need to be taken.

• In this situation it is best to consult a dog trainer. He will deal with his negative behaviors and successfully accompany him in the process during which he will learn to become familiar with your baby.

  

• If your dog fails to learn safe and obedient behavior around children, more extreme measures need to be taken, such as keeping him in a fenced area or even entrusting him to other people. Your baby's safety is more important.

  

Part 3 of 4: Introduce the Child

Step 1. Get someone's help

Just before taking your baby home from the hospital, ask a friend to go for a long, strenuous walk with your dog.

• This will allow him to release all excess energy and make him calmer and more peaceful when the baby arrives.

  

• Ask your friend to play catch or play any other game that wastes energy. The more tired he is, the better.

  

Step 2. Take the baby home when the dog is out

It is advisable to take the child home when the dog is not there. This way you will have the opportunity to carefully arrange and organize presentations.

When the dog returns, speak to him in a calm tone - do not introduce him to your child yet. Even if he has already smelled his scent, he may still be alarmed by the presence of the newcomer

Step 3. Let the dog greet the mother first

He probably hasn't seen her for several days, as he was in the hospital, so he'll definitely be excited to see her again and want to party.

This moment could be dangerous if you are holding your baby, so it is best for the mother and dog to have a moment to be together before introducing the baby

Step 4. Make introductions

Sit quietly, hold the baby in your arms and let someone else keep the dog. Talk to him while another person brings him closer to your child. The leash should be short but loose so that the dog does not feel any tension.

Allow the dog to smell the baby's feet, but don't let him get too close. Praise him if he reacts calmly in front of your child

Step 5. Do not punish the dog for engaging in negative behavior

If he barks at the child and is nervous about his presence, do not scold or punish him. Give him some treats a few steps away and then try introducing again. This step is important for the dog to link the baby's presence to a reward.

Tell him how to behave. Instead of waiting for the dog to sniff the baby and sit quietly, let him know what you expect of him. When he sniffs it with the tip of his nose, command him to stand or sit. Praise and reward him when he engages in positive behavior

Part 4 of 4: Encourage the Relationship between the Dog and the Child

Step 1. Give your dog your attention when the baby is awake

While you'll definitely have more time for him when your baby is asleep, it's best to involve him even when your baby is awake.

• If you are feeding your baby, at the same time feed the dog, talk to him while you carry the baby around and take him with the baby for a walk.

  

• This way the dog will not perceive the baby as a threat.

  

Step 2. Ignore the dog while the baby is sleeping

When the baby is asleep, give the dog less attention. Help meet his immediate needs, such as going out and feeding him, but avoid playing or talking to him too much. In this way he will look forward to the arrival of the baby.

Step 3. Stick to your dog's usual hours if you can

Dogs are not fussy - they need to walk and be fed according to their usual routine. Avoid changing his habits because of the baby, otherwise he may become aggressive towards him.

Step 4. Get the dog used to the baby's crying

Many dogs can get nervous when a baby cries, so it's important to get him used to the new state of affairs. If you notice any nervousness, feed him when your baby cries. In this way, it will connect the baby's crying to something pleasant.

Step 5. Teach the dog to give space when you take care of the baby

If the dog is always around while you are caring for your child, teach him to leave and listen to your orders.

• Give him the order to stand while you give him a reward, then throw it a few meters away from you and give him the command to move.

  

• Do this several times, throwing the food further away and teaching it to understand the gestures of your hands. When the dog fetches the reward, praise him so he knows he has done well.