Introducing Your Dog to the New Baby

Preparing your dog to accept your new baby starts well before the baby is born. First, take your dog to the veterinarian for a routine health exam and make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date. Talk to your veterinarian about any concerns you may have about introducing your dog and baby. If your dog isn't already neutered or spayed, do it now to help reduce the risk of aggressive behavior. If your dog has any issues with fear, anxiety, or other behavioral problems that could cause aggression, consult a trainer or animal behaviorist for assistance prior to the baby's arrival. Train your dog not to jump up on you or others and to remain calmly on the floor beside you.

Expose your dog to babies and the smells and sounds that accompany them. Ask friends with babies and young children to visit, and let your dog spend carefully supervised time with them. Rub baby lotion or other baby products onto your skin so your dog becomes used to the new smells. Play recorded lullabies and sing the songs that you'll soon share with your infant. Say the baby's name when you talk to your dog so he becomes familiar with it. Buy a baby doll that cries so your dog can get used to that sound.

Once the baby is home, much of your time will be devoted to caring for her. A sudden, drastic reduction in the amount of time you spend with your dog can cause him to feel stressed and resentful of the new intruder. So begin to reduce the amount of time you spend with your dog before your baby is born. If the expectant mom is the primary caregiver and the person the dog is most bonded to, another family member should take over that role before the baby is born.

After the baby is born, introduce her to the dog slowly. Bring a baby blanket or an item of clothing home from the hospital for your dog to smell before the baby arrives. Upon arriving home, the new mother should greet the dog without the baby, being warm, but quiet and calm. Following the greetings, bring your dog with you to sit next to the baby and reward him with treats for good behavior. Never force your dog to get ear the baby and always supervise their interactions closely. Do not exclude your dog from your family now that the baby is home. Keep your routine as regular as possible and be sure to play with and exercise your dog each day. Teach your dog that the baby is a positive addition to the household and with the baby comes treats, walks, and playtime in the park. When your dog acts in an appropriate manner around the baby, reward him with a treat.

Keep your dog and baby safe by setting clear boundaries. Gate the baby's bedroom door so that your dog cannot enter that room. Keep the baby's toys and other possessions away from your dog and don't let the baby play with the dog's toys. Once your baby starts crawling, keep food bowls in an area inaccessible to your baby.