How will my dog react when I bring the baby home?

Question

I am due in May, and I have a male english springer. he is wonderful with children, and very gentle with anything smaller than him. However, he has never had to "compete" for my attention... He is neutered, and very well exercised, as I normally take him for a long run or at least play fetch with him for an hour a day.

When the baby comes home, what special measures do I have to take to make sure he does not get jealous of it? What are the chances that he will show aggression? (He has never once even growled at a human being as of yet)..

Answer 1

If your family already includes a pet, you'll need to help that first "baby" adjust to the new one you'll soon bring home. You can help your pet cope with this big change in much the same way parents help children understand that a new brother or sister will be joining the family. By following the tips below, you can ease your pet's stress, help her welcome your new baby, and ensure that your pet stays where she belongs—with you and your growing family.

No matter how much you plan ahead, the addition of a new family member may be difficult for your pet. Remember, your dog or cat was your first "baby" and is used to being the center of your attention. So it's understandable that she may experience something akin to sibling rivalry when you introduce a new human baby into your household.

You can minimize this feeling by working with her before you bring home your baby. For example, because your new baby will demand a lot of your time and energy, gradually accustom your pet to spending less time with you. Drastically decreasing attention and frequently scolding, ignoring, or isolating your pet after the baby comes home will likely make your pet feel stressed. If your pet is particularly attached to the mother-to-be, another family member should develop a closer relationship with the animal. That way, the pet can still feel loved and provided for while mom is busy with the baby.

How Can I Prepare My Pet?

Below are several suggestions to make introducing your pet and baby safer and smoother for all. Be sure to carry out these changes months before the baby's arrival to best prepare your pet.

Take your pet to the veterinarian for a routine health exam and necessary vaccinations.
Spay or neuter your pet. Not only do sterilized pets typically have fewer health problems associated with their reproductive systems, but they are also calmer and less likely to bite.
Consult with a veterinarian and pediatrician if the thought of your newborn interacting with the family pet makes you uncomfortable. By working with these experts before your baby is born, you can resolve problems early and put your mind at ease.
Address any pet training and behavior problems. If your pet exhibits fear and anxiety, now is the time to get help from an animal behavior specialist.
If your pet's behavior includes gentle nibbling, pouncing, or swatting at you and others, redirect that behavior to appropriate objects.
Get your pet used to nail trims.
Train your pet to remain calmly on the floor beside you until you invite him on your lap, which will soon cradle a newborn.
Consider enrolling in a training class with your dog, and practice training techniques. Training allows you to safely and humanely control your dog's behavior and enhances the bond between you and your pet.
Encourage friends with infants to visit your home to accustom your pet to babies. Supervise all pet and infant interactions.
Accustom your pet to baby-related noises months before the baby is expected. For example, play recordings of a baby crying, turn on the mechanical infant swing, and use the rocking chair. Make these positive experiences for your pet by offering a treat or playtime.
To discourage your pet from jumping on the baby's crib and changing table, apply double-stick tape to the furniture.
If the baby's room will be off-limits to your pet, install a sturdy barrier such as a removable gate (available at pet or baby supply stores) or, for jumpers, even a screen door. Because these barriers still allow your pet to see and hear what's happening in the room, he'll feel less isolated from the family and more comfortable with the new baby noises.
Use a baby doll to help your pet get used to the real thing. Carry around a swaddled baby doll, take the doll in the stroller when you walk your dog, and use the doll to get your pet used to routine baby activities, such as bathing and diaper changing.
Talk to your pet about the baby, using the baby's name if you've selected one.
Sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin so your pet becomes familiar with the new smells.
Finally, plan ahead to make sure your pet gets proper care while you're at the birthing center.
What Do We Do After Baby Is Born?

Welcoming a new baby is exciting for your family. Remember when you first brought home your dog or cat? But before you bring your baby home from the hospital, have your partner or friend take home something with the baby's scent (such as a blanket) for your pet to investigate.

When you return from the hospital, your pet may be eager to greet you and receive your attention. Have someone else take the baby into another room while you give your pet a warm, but calm, welcome. Keep some treats handy so you can distract your pet.

After the initial greeting, you can bring your pet with you to sit next to the baby; reward your pet with treats for appropriate behavior. Remember, you want your pet to view associating with the baby as a positive experience. To prevent anxiety or injury, never force your pet to get near the baby, and always supervise any interaction.

Life will no doubt be hectic caring for your new baby, but try to maintain regular routines as much as possible to help your pet adjust. And be sure to spend one-on-one quality time with your pet each day—it may help relax you, too. With proper training, supervision, and adjustments, you, your new baby, and your pet should be able to live together safely and happily as one (now larger) family.

Answer 2

If he hasn't growled at a human yet, he probably won't growl now. Best thing you can do while the baby grows into a toddler and up, is make sure you are there supervise him/her. Maybe since your baby is due in May get one of those dolls that crawls on the ground and falls, then starts to cry. Place it on the ground when your dog is around and see how he reacts to it, then pick up the baby and sit on the ground near your dog to see what else happens. Also, I would think that any kind of noises associated with babies will be new to him, so if there is a way to expose him before hand, he'll be use to these kinds of things. Congrats and have a good holiday =0)

O btw, we have a pitbull here and when my nephew was born, we would watch him everyday (he's 4 now). Our pitbull never once growled at him and has never bit anyone. All dogs are different but after a while I think you and your husband will get the feel for what your dog will be like once baby is born

Answer 3

Most of the dogs will not show any aggression towards the baby, but he will be very protective of the baby at first. So let the people that he knows best hold the baby first. Also he will be very alert when the baby wakes up at night. My dog wasn't jealous but she is a small dog. As long as you take reall y good care of your baby (Which you will) he really wont mind and he will want to help!!!

Answer 4

Many will develop jealously, some will be nurturing. The only way to be sure is to keep an eye out the first time the baby is home and whenever the pets and the baby are together in a room.

Answer 5

We don't know what to expect any more than you do. Its your dog you should know how he will react. You can break up the hour you now spend with him and continue the breaks after the baby's home because the baby will need you sometime within that hour. Just don't project. Take it as it comes. There may not even be a problem.

Answer 6

New Baby
All dogs must be taught to thoroughly enjoy the presence and actions of babies. The solution is classical conditioning. From the outset, integrate your dog into all new baby moments and routines. When feeding the baby, sit down comfortably, and handfeed kibble to your dog at the same time. Pick up the baby whenever he cries and then call your dog and offer a treat as you cuddle and shush the baby. (You will find the baby calms down more quickly if you are slightly distracted by talking to the dog.) When changing the baby's diapers, handfeed freeze-dried liver to the dog. (Keep a treat jar on the diaper-changing table.) In no time at all, your dog will form strong positive associations with the baby's feeding, crying, cuddling, and diaper-changing. You may find your dog adopts her baby-minding role with great enthusiasm. Your dog may promptly alert you whenever your baby cries, or messes his diapers. Yes, you will have trained a Dirty Diaper Detection Dog.

This info was taken directly from advice offered by famed dog behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar. His books on training are the best!

http://www.siriuspup.com/about_founder.html

Answer 7

I wouldn't be worried. There are lots of things you can do over the next month to ensure a smooth transition. For example, you can expose him to the new smells that will accompany the baby and even get your dog used to being ignored by practicing basic care procedures with one of the baby dolls that cries and makes noise. It may sound silly, but it really works! Please check out this website for more information on how to prepare:http://stocktondogenthusiast.blogspot.com/2014/03/dogs-babies-how-to-prepare-your-family.html

Answer 8

It's hard to tell what his specific reactions will be. It's an individual dog thing.
My mum's dog (Silky Terrier named Sassy) used to bite kids and really put them in their place, she brought me home, Sassy had a sniff, licked the flakey stuff off my head and turned into a completely different dog. She was my best friend and protector. She then loved kids and only ever bit once more (when my idiot 3yr old cousin pulled her tail and riped some hair out) and that was only a warning snap, not intented to hurt. That was 15yrs ago.
Here are some good links for introduction and preparation.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4579_introduce-new-baby.html
http://www.barkbytes.com/training/babe.htm
http://www.dogclub.co.uk/advice/babyanddog.php

Answer 9

Before baby comes home, bring something that smells like the baby. Also make sure that you are alway supervising baby and dog.

Also I would have special time with you and just your dog so he still feels loved. Take a few minutes to just play with him or just sit and pet him for a while. Make sure to even take a few minutes a day to make sure he's still included.

Answer 10

I had a Shih Tzu when my daughter was born and I had had the dog for 11 years prior to that. She was extremely curious of the crib when I put it in the bedroom and would smell around it all the time. However, the very first night that I had my daughter home from the hospital, my daughter cried non-stop all night long! Molly (the dog) sat on the end of my bed howling and barking!!!! I had had a C-section and between the crying, the howling, the barking, the incision pain, and probably a fair dose of post-partum depression, I laid in bed and cried with them!!!!! It was almost the worst night of my life! Good news is that we all settled down within the first few days that my daughter was home and the dog and the baby actually became very good pals. Molly never really seemed jealous because whenever I would nurse my daughter I would call Molly up on the couch and pet her. That way she knew that I hadn't "replaced" her. It just takes time for everyone to get used to one another and to get a schedule in place that benefits all involved. Best of luck to you!

Answer 11

Dogs are usually pretty preceptive about babies being something small and fragile, something they want to protect. I've never had a problem bring babies home when I had dogs. I had problems bring dogs home when I had children, however.