I'm concerned that my dog wont be good around the new baby?

Question

My husband and I have a little terrier. I'm concerned how she is going to act around our first baby. She's a really good dog but I'm afraid she is going to be jealous and do something to the baby. She is use to being the only one in our home. What can I do now to train her for the new baby, due in August?

Answer 1

We have a jack russell terrier who was the baby for years and FIERCELY protective of my husband (me, she could take or leave depending on whether I had food in my hand). So, we were concerned about her reaction to the baby.

Before baby was born, we set up the baby's stuff; crib, swing, etc., and left the door to the baby's room open, and let the dog go around and sniff everything so she'd get used to all the new "stuff". Whatever you have on hand.

When baby was born, but before we came home, my husband took a couple of items the baby had worn at the hospital (little cap, blanket), and brought it home for Lilly to sniff so she'd know the baby's scent. At first, he was concerned because she grabbed it with her teeth and walked off with it, but, really she was just using it to put in her "bed" (she sleeps under our bed). When my husband went to get it, would you believe he found a "nest" under the bed????

This is the most important part: When you bring the baby home, have your husband wait outside with the baby. YOU go and greet the dog, make a big fuss over her, have some treats for her, etc. Bring the dog OUTSIDE to meet the baby. Watch the dog, but let her sniff the baby and what not (a small terrier will be easy to control). Then, all of you go in together, with the dog leading the way. That way, in the dog's mind, SHE'S inviting the baby into HER space; the baby isn't just barging into the dog's territory.

Once inside, let the dog sniff, lick, etc., If you see any aggression, move the baby away from the dog (not the other way around). Make sure you give the dog lots of affection for the first few days, especially. If you're feeding or nursing the baby, have a treat ready for the dog. If you're on the floor with the baby, give the dog a rub every now and then.

Our dog is our baby's favorite "person" now (Katie will be seven months on the first). When she hears the dog's tags, she look around frantically for her and bursts into a big smile and laugh. I have video of her going crazy when the dog walks by. And Lilly loves the baby to death. That baby has yanked and bitten the poor dog more times than I can count, and Lilly just takes it (we try to prevent it, but, it's not easy to teach a 7 month old to "pet nice", and Lilly rubs herself up against the kid, so, she kind of asks for the "petting"). The most she'll do is nudge the baby's hand away. If the baby cries and we don't "respond" quickly enough, Lilly comes to get us. It seems like some sort of mothering instinct has come out in Lilly. We swear Katie's first word will be "Puppy"

I hope some of this helps. Good luck with your baby and your little dog.

Answer 2

I had similar concerns. I have two dogs who are what I consider to be my "furkids".

1.) I was not about to give them up so I made sure they smelled everything new coming into the house that had to do with the baby.
2.) When I was at the hospital I made my husband bring home blankets and clothing that my son had on so that they could get used to the smell.
3.) To avoid jealousy: When I brought my son home I made sure contact was short and sweet and that neither of my dogs were made to feel left out. If you have to take care of the baby, make sure your husband spends some time with the dog. In addition, get your husband to watch the baby while you spend quality time with your pooch.
4.) If your dog and baby will be in the same room they must be closely supervised.

My main advice is not to ignore your dog, particularly if you want to avoid the whole jealousy issue. I wish you the very best of luck.

Answer 3

Normally you go a day at a time when the baby comes and hope it will like the baby. But most small dogs as long as they don't feel threaten hey they get along with anybody. But when the baby comes it will know that the baby isn't a treat because she will only see it when your carrying it or when the baby is crying.

Answer 4

Go to amazon.com and get the book "Childproofing Your Dog: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children in Your Life (Paperback)"


Go to this website and get this book. I also have a terrier (jack russell) and we are having the same debate. This book has been recommended to me time and time again, and when the time comes for my boy and I to have kids (we are still a few years away) I will be purchasing this book. This teaches you how to get your dog ready for kids and how to make sure to bring your child up right around dogs. The biggest thing is to still pay attention to her despite your child coming into th world, which has to be the hardest thing ever, but it becomes the reason so many dogs like yours end up in shelters. I hope this helps, and I hope you get this book! It's only 9-10 dollars.....and well worth the help

Answer 5

I don't really know how to get her used to the baby it will probably take a bit of time for her to realize the baby is meant to be there. Aways be there when she is around baby never leave her unsupervised with the baby even if she seems to be fine. Once she gets used to the baby she should not be jealous but it will take time.

Answer 6

This is very common as they do become jealous and sometimes negative attention is still attention.
My dog urinated in my nursery, yet only once and she eventually got used to having the baby in the house.


SLowly pay less attention to your dog so that it is not a shock when you come home and he associates that feeling with the baby. unfotunately his feelings are going to be hurt, he will get less attention.
Some people say that you have to make an extra effort to give them more attention to your dog after the baby comes, that is setting yourself up for failure and making an association of losing the attention with the baby and causing the dog to act out in jealousy.

Keep your dog out of the nursery room starting now.
if the dog will not be allowed in the nursery, when the baby arrives, he should not be allowed in there now.
or any other related rules (off the couch/bed)

Start his training now, make sure they at least know these commands:
-No Jumping up, sit/stay, walking nicely on a leash or with a stroller.
-One of the things to think about is your dogs reaction to crying, How do your dogs react to loud noises?

if you can get a tape of a baby crying or get your dogs around a baby this would be ideal. however without previous exposure to these noises your dogs will still adjust fine.
Dont "comfort" (pet them and tell them it is ok) the dogs if they seem stressed about the noise, you will be sending a message that there is something to be afriad of, simply tell them to lay down, as the leader let them know there is nothing to be concerned about.

-when you come home let daddy carry the baby in so you can have a chance to say hello to your dog
-make positive associations with the baby by bringing dog toys home with you.
You can also bring something home like a blanket for the dog too become accustomed to the scent. (dogs sense of smell is so strong that they can actually recognize relatives by thier scent!)


Dont comfort your dog or try to make him feel better, this is called anthropomorphizing, "to attribute human form or personality to"


Dogs are dogs, they need a strong leader. The number one reason dogs misbehave is because people treat them like humans and feel bad discplining them.
They dont call them "puppy dog eyes" for nothing!

Answer 7

when my friend had a baby they took a blanket that they had wrapped the baby in at the hospital and let the dog smell it... before they brought the baby home from the hospital, that way the dog got used to the baby's scent before she came home... you can try holding the baby and having the dog sit next to you so that the dog won't feel jealous too...

Answer 8

Obviously you are going to have to introduce the two but keep a good watch that she is never along with the child. Once it sees that the child is a permanent fixture in the household your intuition will tell you if things are ok or not. Then as the child get older and interacts with the dog, how it interacts back will be a determining factor if it remains in your household, if it makes it there to that point in time.

Answer 9

well we have a chihuahua and min pin mix. She used to be the only one till I had my son. She did really well with him. She mainly stayed away from him but sometimes she would sniff him and sniff his things like his blankets or car seat. She never did anything to harm him.
Just make sure after the baby is born to give your dog attention too!

Answer 10

Get your pup used to kids by taking her to a park where kids play alot. Most dogs do just fine w/babies -the ones I've known LOVE the kid, and have even sat guard while there are visitors in the house.