Dog Aggression: Adjusting To A New Baby
Preparing Your Dog For Baby Using Dog Obedience Classes
Adding a baby to your family is a highly anticipated and long-awaited (almost 10 months!) moment that comes with a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, fear, unconditional love and a dozen other big feelings all come into play not only for you and your spouse, but for your dog as well. You love your dog and the role they have fulfilled as a member of your family. You may be wondering how your dog or IF your dog will learn to accept the presence of a new baby in its family. Many dogs learn to live with babies, but some cannot handle the stress that a baby inevitably brings with it. Before bringing your baby home, here are some things to consider before introducing your dog to its new family member.
The first thing to consider is the nature of your dog’s temperament. Is your dog aggressive towards children, strangers, or small animals? If the answer is yes, it is more than likely that your dog will not be able to accept the stress and role of a new baby in its home. This is even more of a concern if your dog has never been around babies before, as they may not look at your baby as a human nor will it understand why it has come to live in their home.
It is crucial that your dog is FULLY obedience trained. Basic dog obedience training will ensure that your dog learns key words and commands and trusts you enough as its owner to follow said commands. Your dog will be trained through positive reinforcement and will understand that there is reward for good behavior. Private dog obedience classes are recommended because it teaches your dog boundaries within the same space it will share with the baby. Your dog will learn commands within the home, and will learn boundaries such as avoiding the baby’s room and not messing with the baby’s items. Your dog may also need to be crate trained depending on the space within your home. This will keep the dog separated from the baby when you cannot supervise the dog, and can also keep the dog safe when your baby begins to crawl or walk. The trainer will also help you desensitize your dog to various baby sounds such as crying or cooing, which will help ease your dog’s anxiety through early exposure. Your dog will also learn gentle handling with people and objects which will prevent accidents and injuries around your baby.
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Preparing Your Dog For Baby Using Dog Obedience Classes
Adding a baby to your family is a highly anticipated and long-awaited (almost 10 months!) moment that comes with a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, fear, unconditional love and a dozen other big feelings all come into play not only for you and your spouse, but for your dog as well. You love your dog and the role they have fulfilled as a member of your family. You may be wondering how your dog or IF your dog will learn to accept the presence of a new baby in its family. Many dogs learn to live with babies, but some cannot handle the stress that a baby inevitably brings with it. Before bringing your baby home, here are some things to consider before introducing your dog to its new family member.
The first thing to consider is the nature of your dog’s temperament. Is your dog aggressive towards children, strangers, or small animals? If the answer
Speak With A Dog
Training Expert
Speak With A Dog Training Expert
Thank you for contacting us!
We will contact you shortly!
Please try again later.
is yes, it is more than likely that your dog will not be able to accept the stress and role of a new baby in its home. This is even more of a concern if your dog has never been around babies before, as they may not look at your baby as a human nor will it understand why it has come to live in their home.
It is crucial that your dog is FULLY obedience trained. Basic dog obedience training will ensure that your dog learns key words and commands and trusts you enough as its owner to follow said commands. Your dog will be trained through positive reinforcement and will understand that there is reward for good behavior. Private dog obedience classes are recommended because it teaches your dog boundaries within the same space it will share with the baby. Your dog will learn commands within the home, and will learn boundaries such as avoiding the baby’s room and not messing with the baby’s items. Your dog may also need to be crate trained depending on the space within your home. This will keep the dog separated from the baby when you cannot supervise the dog, and can also keep the dog safe when your baby begins to crawl or walk. The trainer will also help you desensitize your dog to various baby sounds such as crying or cooing, which will help ease your dog’s anxiety through early exposure. Your dog will also learn gentle handling with people and objects which will prevent accidents and injuries around your baby.
Introducing Your Baby Post Dog Obedience Classes
Before bringing your baby home from the hospital, it is heavily advised to introduce your dog to the baby’s scent first. Some parents wrap a baby doll with a blanket that has been wrapped around the baby and lay it on the floor. This gives your dog an opportunity to learn boundaries as well as the baby’s scent. As your dog approaches the doll, it will be corrected for going near it. The dog is not to go smell it or approach, but instead respond to a “down-stay” position a few feet away.
When you bring the baby home, allow your dog to spend time with mom without the baby. Keep the moment calm, moving towards a nice quiet introduction to the baby. When the baby is brought into the room, have your dog return to the “down-stay” position a few feet away from where the baby and mom are sitting. The dog can smell the baby from where it is sitting with no problem, and does not need to make physical contact. Dog’s have an excellent sense of smell! Allowing your dog to lick your baby can be a dangerous thing to do in regards to hygiene. Your baby’s immune system is still developing, and exposing your baby
Introducing Your Baby Post Dog Obedience Classes
Before bringing your baby home from the hospital, it is heavily advised to introduce your dog to the baby’s scent first. Some parents wrap a baby doll with a blanket that has been wrapped around the baby and lay it on the floor. This gives your dog an opportunity to learn boundaries as well as the baby’s scent. As your dog approaches the doll, it will be corrected for going near it. The dog is not to go smell it or approach, but instead respond to a “down-stay” position a few feet away.
When you bring the baby home, allow your dog to spend time with mom without the baby. Keep the moment calm, moving towards a nice quiet introduction to the baby. When the baby is brought into the room, have your dog return to the “down-stay” position a few feet away from where the baby and mom are sitting. The dog can smell the baby from where it is sitting with no problem, and does not need to make physical contact. Dog’s have an excellent sense of smell! Allowing your dog to lick your baby can be a dangerous thing to do in regards to hygiene. Your baby’s immune system is still developing, and exposing your baby to germs that your dog has come into contact with can be cause for potential illness.
As your dog becomes familiar with your baby and maintains self control around it by respecting boundaries and commands, you may begin slowly allowing your dog to have contact with the baby. Remember: your dog should NEVER be near a baby when it is not being supervised, not even for a second. If there is ever any concern about the obedience and control of your dog at any time the baby is present, a leash or dog crate may need to come into consideration to remind your dog of the boundaries within the home and around the baby. Bottom line, introducing a dog to a new baby revolves around common sense and being a responsible pet owner! Obedience classes are a top priority for you and your dog, and referring to learned skills and behaviors will set your dog on a secure path for a stress-free introduction to its new family member.
to germs that your dog has come into contact with can be cause for potential illness.
As your dog becomes familiar with your baby and maintains self control around it by respecting boundaries and commands, you may begin slowly allowing your dog to have contact with the baby. Remember: your dog should NEVER be near a baby when it is not being supervised, not even for a second. If there is ever any concern about the obedience and control of your dog at any time the baby is present, a leash or dog crate may need to come into consideration to remind your dog of the boundaries within the home and around the baby. Bottom line, introducing a dog to a new baby revolves around common sense and being a responsible pet owner! Obedience classes are a top priority for you and your dog, and referring to learned skills and behaviors will set your dog on a secure path for a stress-free introduction to its new family member.