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Bringing Home the New Human Baby
When you bring home a new baby you are adding a new member to your pack. How to create that special bond between baby and dog. Too often I hear owners state their dog's temperament and attitude changes after they bring their new baby home. The dog is reported to become protective of the baby, because the dog loves the baby. Some say their dogs become demanding for attention because they are jealous. Both of these assumptions on the reason for the dog's change in temperament are false. In actuality the dog has either claimed and now believes they own the baby, owns their owners and/or owns the home and are trying to control what is going on around them. Dogs need to be taught to give the baby space and respect, especially during feeding time. The baby needs to be seen as above the dog in the pack order.
Preparing for the New Baby Preperations for the new baby should start before the baby is brought home. Work on getting all dogs in your home balanced and well trained. This should start as soon as possible. Everyone in the family should educate themselves on Understanding Dog Behavior. You want your dog to be acting calm and submissive. I am often asked if becoming a dogs 100% pack leader and having a submissive dog prevents a dog from being a good guard or watch dog. No, all members of the pack, even lower members will step up and protect the rest of the pack should the need arise. You cannot train the guard out of a guard dog or take the keen senses out of a watch dog, but you can have them respect, and listen to your commands happily. You do not want the dog to own the baby, own you, or your home. All dogs need boundaries inside the home. It is a good idea to set the baby room as one of those boundaries. As soon as you know what room will be your nursery stop allowing your dog into that room. Not by simply closing the door, but by leaving the door open and not allowing the dog to enter. Teach the dog that is not their place. This way when the baby does come home you will be sending a signal to the dog that the baby is higher in the order, as the baby will be allowed into a room to which they are not. It is ok for a dog to be up on the furniture if you are the one inviting them up. However you must be aware that in the dog world the pack leader sleeps and rests in the most comfortable spot. If you are going to allow your dog up on the beds and couch make sure it is at times you invite them. Take extra care to insure the dog is not pushing you out of the spot or owning the furniture. Think about whether or not you are going to want a dog jumping up onto the furniture when you have a baby in your arms, or a bassinet seat that might be placed on a couch. If the answer is no and you are not going to want a dog jumping up where your baby might be, start training your dog to stay down preferably before the baby comes home. Unless you are very familiar with a dog's body language and signs of dominance and are always aware of it, it is recommended the dog has a comfortable place to sleep on the floor rather than be allowed to jump up on your furniture. It is very easy for a dog to begin to believe they own your furniture, this includes the bed.
Before the baby comes home make sure your dog heels on a lead. This is a very important human to dog communication. Pack leader goes first. When you allow your dog to walk ahead of you or enter and exit door and gateways before you, you are communicating to the dog that they are before you in the order. Teach your dog to follow YOU rather than you following THEM. Therefore you must teach the dog to walk beside or behind the stroller, not in front. If you wish you can practice this with an empty stroller before the baby comes home. Get the dog used to walking with a stroller. If you cannot make your dog heel it is time to work on perfecting your walk. You want your dog to be following your baby, not leading your baby. If you allow your dog to walk ahead of the stroller you will be communicating to the dog that they are above your baby in the pack order. Going for a pack walk with your baby and the dog is a great way to help establish the baby's alpha position. After the baby is born and before the baby comes home from the hospital have someone bring an object that contains the baby's scent to the dog. Place the object on the floor and tell your dog to leave it. Only allow the dog to smell it from a distance. They should be close enough to smell it, but do not allow them to touch it, keeping a reasonable distance. Make the dogs give the object space. After you have established this with your dog you can pick the object up and allow the dog to smell it a little closer while you hold the object, but again, do not allow the dog to touch it. That scent is not going to be something they are going to be allowed to own. The scent needs to be associated with space and respect.
The Day Baby Comes Home The day the baby comes home have someone walk the dog to drain their energy. I realize times are very busy when babies are born, however do not neglect the needs of your dog. Do your best to arrange for them to still receive their pack walk. An extra long walk the day the baby comes home is ideal to insure they are calm when the baby comes through the door. Do not let your dog rush, crowd or jump on the person holding the baby. If your dog normally does this you need to work on this issue before the baby comes home. Dogs who are respectful give space to their pack leaders. A subordinate dog would never dream of jumping up on their pack leader in that manner. Do not allow the dog to immediately get their nose on the baby. A dog's senses are keen and they can smell the baby from a reasonable distance. Boundaries need to be established. You do not want the dog to, in their mind, claim the baby as their own. If you allow the dog to immediately get their nose into the baby and smell them and touch them there is a chance your dog will be doing just that. Claiming the new pack member as their own. The dog should always give whoever is holding the baby space. Do not allow them to push you out of the way or nose their way onto you while you have the baby in your arms. Especially at feeding time. A subordinate dog would never dream of invading the privacy of a mother dam and her puppies. Do not allow your dog to invade your space. Do not mistake the dogs attempts at owning as jealous or a gesture of love. Read more about the signs of dominance in dogs and pay very close attention to your dog to ensure the dog is not showing any signs.
Be consistent with your dog at all times. Do not neglect their exercise needs. Keep their energy drained and always be your dog's calm, firm, confident pack leader. All family members must be on the same level with the dog. Doing this will insure a safe, respectful, strong bond between baby and dog for years to come.
To learn more about dog psychology and what makes a dog tick, we strongly suggest Cesar Millan DVD's
Written by Sharon Maguire © Dog Breed Info Center® All Rights Reserved |
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