Introducing Your Dog to the New Baby

The arrival of a new baby is a blessed event but the family dog may not see it that way. There may be issues of territory and jealousy. Some advise keeping the dog and baby apart until the child is old enough to understand how to behave around dogs, but that is not really a practical solution when the dog is an established house pet.

Dogs that have a dominant personality or high prey drive (breeds developed for the purpose of hunting and killing rats and other small animals) may pose a hazard to infants or very small children if they are not properly socialized and their natural tendencies controlled by obedience training. The dog may see a helpless, mewling baby as prey. Breeds with dominant characteristics comprise about 40% of all breeds recognized by the AKC, but dog within the breed will have varying degress of the dominant personality.

Much of what shapes the dog's character is also how it is nurtured as a puppy. Dominant dogs who are overly indulged by their owners, or who are undersocialized, and more likely to become aggressive. Dogs who have had unpleasant experiences with young, teasing children will not be as accepting of a baby as one who has been raised around children and loves them.

Babies have strange smells and make strange noises that the dog may not understand. If this is the first baby your dog has met he will certainly be confused by this new thing. You need to let your dog know that he is not being replaced in your affections and that this new baby is part of the family.

You may prefer to keep the dog out of the nursery, to avoid having him jump around and try to get involved when you are caring for the baby. Choose the room you will use for the baby before the arrival. Keep the door closed when you are not home. When you are home you may leave the door open and train him to stay out. Do this training with positive reinforcement so he doesn't feel punished for entering the room. This lets your dog know that this room is not his territory and he won't feel "put out."