BRINGING HOME BABY

By Jaime Van Wye, CMDT

Bringing home an infant is an exciting time for everyone in the household. The one exception may be your family dog. A baby can be a source of anxiety for your canine, who may find that his world has been completely upended. However, with a little careful planning and following some simple guidelines, you can not only prepare your dog to accept your infant, but you can ease your own anxieties as well.

The first thing you’ll want to do is take an honest look at your dog’s ability to follow obedience commands. Some behaviors that could have been overlooked as forgivable nuisances before become unsafe with a baby in the house. For example, jumping at the front door when you arrive or pulling on the leash both create safety hazards.

You’ll want to make sure that your dog knows not to jump up on you, particularly when you are carrying a baby. Similarly, if your dog can’t go for a walk without dragging you down the street, it certainly won’t get any better when you add a stroller to the mix. A properly trained dog can help alleviate many of the stresses you’ll encounter in everyday life as you adjust to your role as a new parent.

At the very least, your dog should have a good grasp of the “basic five” — sit, down, stay, come and heel — as well as a boundary stay. A boundary stay is similar to stay except that it means to remain on a specific place, like a towel or a mat. (“Go to bed” is an example of a boundary stay.) Simply requiring a boundary stay in the baby’s room can be a wonderful way to keep your dog integrated into your new baby activities. This solves a ton of problems, like excessive licking on the baby, over-excitement, jumping, chewing baby toys, or tracking dirt around. Particularly when your baby is small and is on the ground, keeping your dog from trampling him or her is a high priority.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that if your dog has any serious behavior issues, such as dog-to-dog aggression or a history of guarding his food or toys, that you invest in the help of a qualified behaviorist now. These behaviors can cause big problems later on and require a long-term approach to solving them.

Similarly, if your dog has ever shown fear-related behaviors around children, such as growling, nervousness or snapping, you’ll want to address the issue immediately. (You can find qualified behaviorists by checking the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website at www.apdt.com.)

Your dog should also have plenty of time to get used to all the new baby paraphernalia. Begin walking your dog with an empty stroller next to him, and practice your dog’s “go to bed” command while you scatter baby toys around on the floor in the nursery.

Some expectant parents even bring home a baby doll that they swaddle in blankets. If you do this, act as you would if you had an infant. Pay a lot of attention to the doll and give the dog positive attention for good behavior. A CD of baby sounds and cries can be downloaded to your MP3 player, which you should tuck in the blankets with the baby doll. This way, your dog can get used to this new “thing” that is occupying so much of your time.

When you do have the baby, some experts recommend that you bring home one of the blankets from the hospital ahead of time for your dog to smell. In addition, when you enter the house with the newborn, make sure that someone else holds the baby while you properly greet your dog in the typical fashion. You’ve probably been gone for several days and he’ll have missed you! Then, allow your dog to approach you and the baby, but do not permit any licking, barking or pawing. Remember that your dog doesn’t really know how to behave yet, so thoughtful and consistent positive interactions with all things baby go a long way. Have plenty of treats available to create a good association with the baby by rewarding your dog for appropriate behavior.

For the weeks following the introductions, try to keep up with your dog’s regular schedule and exercise routine as much as possible. Although you’ll be sleep-deprived and exhausted, your dog probably won’t! Spending some time at the dog park or sending Fido for an extra day of daycare can help keep your pup happier at home as the household gets used to the extra work an infant inevitably creates. A good variety of chew toys that he can “go through” like bully sticks or edible dental chews can also help him stay busy and relieve stress.

Chances are, your dog will take to your baby like the puppy he never had, and enjoy your new life together as a family. There is nothing sweeter than a dog that really loves “his” baby. A little thoughtful planning can go a long way in making the transition easier, and you’ll all be happier in the long run.

Jaime Van Wye is the owner and founder of the Zoom Room, a dog training franchise specializing in obedience and agility based out of Los Angeles. She is also the Dog Daycare chair for the Pet Care Services Association. Visit www.zoomroomonline.com.