My 4 year old dog has started barking for attention since the birth of our baby. Any ideas on how to curb it?

Answer 1

Your dog needs to be introduced to the baby pretty much like you would if you had brought in another dog. He's jealous of all the attention the baby is getting and he's doubtless getting a lot less but doesn't understand why.

First of all, make sure you still spend time with the dog. Make sure he gets his walks, play time, do a little obedience with him because that will help boost his self confidence and if he's more confident, he'll be more accepting and secure.

Also, is he allowed near the baby? If he's calm near the baby, let him sniff the baby with you holding the baby so he realizes this baby is a person who belongs to you, hence is part of the household. If you make sure this dog still feels secure and he's getting enough attention, he should calm down. You also need to tell him no very firmly when he barks, praise him a lot when he obeys.

Answer 2

First, wrap the baby up in a blanket that you don't mind giving to the dog once you have removed the baby from the blanket. Let the dog have this blanket as "his/hers", on one elses. Whenever the dog barks, tell it firmly "no bark", "lay down". If the dog is showing attention to the baby that is positive, pet the dog and praise it.

Sometimes my dog would do this when I first bought the baby home. I actually, would hold the baby down to where the dog could see and smell it. That calmed her down considerable. When my baby was able to crawl the dog would follow him and lick his legs. It was really cute and she was very protective.

I felt she was jealous, yes, but also curious. She wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Get your dog involved with the baby. You would be surprised how much they can take on the role of parent.

Good Luck and Take Care.

Answer 3

just give him/her a little more extra attention. maybe an extra long walk or a few more minutes of behind the ear scratches. also, when you baby is napping, that might be a good time to cozy up on he couch with your dog for some seroius cuddleing. i think its way cool that you took the time to notice your dog was having problems, even though your really usy with your baby. i respect ya for that one.

Answer 4

Let your dog be around the baby when your feeding him/her. Let him smell the baby blanket. Let him smell the baby.
This is new to him/her, you must let him no he's got a new family member in the house. In time when he get use to the new sounds he'll stop barking.

Answer 5

Obviously maximize the attention and exercise you give him. You might consider sending him to a doggy daycare for 4 hours a day - this will tire him out, give him fun and socialization, and give you quality time with just the baby. Then when you pick him up from daycare, he will hopefully be calmer and more relaxed since he is not wound up with energy.

Answer 6

Spend some time with him, show him the baby, Talk to him and let him know he's loved. When you walk the baby in the stroller take the dog. He's just jealous, isnt that cute? ^.^

Answer 7

Try spending more time with the dog and have the baby there for the dog to get to know the kid.

Answer 8

well when the baby is sleeping try playing with him to take the dog and the baby for a walk. Otherwise you can buy one of those collars that gives a shock to them when they bark.

Answer 9

Give more love and positive reinforcement to the dog. He was there first. Dogs are just like children.

Answer 10

ignore the dogs when he barks. any attention while barking will encourage him.

make sure you still give him attention at other times, especially when he is quite.