(from your dog) When You’re Expecting
By Lisa Ellman
What happens to your dog when you decide to bring a new human into the world? From my own experience I’ve seen two things happen — the family either doesn’t take time to prepare the dog and the dog ends up rehomed (or surrendered to a shelter), or, the family uses the time to prepare the dog for the impending arrival because they don’t want to have to give the canine family member up. The family has nine months, give or take, to work on acclimating the dog to what will be a new routine, smell, sound and sight. If not handled thoroughly and correctly, bringing a baby home may be overwhelming for the dog, causing extreme anxiety, which may lead to unusual, inappropriate, or dangerous, behavior(s).
When preparing your dog for the new arrival, several critical steps that should be taken. Remember that being a dog, there are never any guarantees that subsequent issues will not arise, but if you follow some simple routines the odds significantly decrease.
To begin, ensure that your dog has basic obedience/manners training and is responsive to you. This includes things like not jumping on people and verbal cues such as down, stay, drop it and leave it. Not only will you need these to protect your child, but there may be a lot of activity throughout the house with family coming and going.
Continue to provide consistent and fair leadership, rules and boundaries. For example, don’t allow your dog to jump into your lap without permission, your lap will soon contain a baby. If the dog’s routine will change dramatically, in terms of feeding, walk or park times, begin establishing the new times asap. If your dog has been used to hanging out in the room that will be a nursery, establish a new, safe, quiet place for it to be. If possible, arrange toys, beds, crate in the same, or a similar, position. Perhaps add a piece of clothing with a familiar scent on it. Use this area for a calm, time out space for your dog if things become too hectic.
Begin introducing the new sounds, sights and smells that will soon fill your home. A CD of baby sounds (cries, coos, etc.), starting quietly and gradually increasing in volume, maybe when your dog has meals or is playing with you. Perhaps give random treats as the CD plays. If you know someone with a baby, borrow some clothing or a diaper, lotion or powder, then add anything that may be used on a regular basis on your own baby. While your dog investigates these new scents, be sure to stay relaxed. Maybe a slow, gentle belly rub or a calming toy. After a few weeks, begin to incorporate the sounds and smells and new routines. Introduce bassinets, strollers or any other different features that will be used. Take your dog for a walk with the stroller to acclimate them to the sound and movement. If you have a friend that has a baby, invite them to come over after you’ve worked with your dog for a few months on all the previous practices. Keep your dog leashed but allow them to be curious and to investigate under supervision.
Before your baby is ready to come home, or if doing a home birth, place some of the baby’s wrapping or clothing near your dog and provide it with some calm attention or small goodie while it investigates.
Once you and your baby are settled in, be sure not to punish or yell at your dog when near the baby, you don’t want them to associate bad or negative experiences with a child. This is where the critical reinforcement of training comes in. All in all, following these guidelines and ensuring that your dog continues to get your loving attention, along with plenty of exercise, should provide everyone with a positive new baby experience!
Good Dogma has been training humans and their dogs since 1996 and is currently taking new clients. Contact information for all offered services can be found on our website www.GoodDogma.net Readers are invited to submit questions to gooddogma@hotmail.com.
