Newborns and Dogs - Creating a Safe Relationship

Bringing a new baby into a home with a dog can be a rewarding experience. Dogs are beloved family members, and many parents hope for a strong, positive bond between their child and furry companion. However, it’s important to ensure that this bond is both safe and nurturing from the very beginning. Here’s a guide to help you successfully introduce your dog to your infant and foster a safe, positive relationship between them.

1. Prepare Your Dog for the Baby’s Arrival

Dogs are creatures of habit, and introducing a new baby means major changes to their routine and environment. Here’s how you can help prepare your dog before the baby arrives, so your newborn and dog can thrive:

• Introduce New Sounds and Smells: Babies come with new sounds, scents, and toys that dogs aren’t used to. Consider playing recordings of baby sounds and letting your dog sniff baby lotions or products. Let your dog explore the baby’s room and any baby items so that they don’t feel unfamiliar or off-limits.

• Practice Handling Exercises: Babies can be unpredictable, so prepare your dog by gently touching them on areas like the ears, paws, and tail while giving treats. This helps your dog get used to being handled in new ways, which can help prevent reactions if the baby accidentally grabs them. Keep your infant and dog separate if you are at worried your dog is uncomfortable, and reach out for help immediately.

• Create Safe Spaces for Your Dog: Set up designated areas where your dog can retreat for quiet time if they feel overwhelmed. A crate, dog bed, or gated room can be a helpful space for them to relax without feeling they’re “banished” when they need a break. Make sure you separate your dog and infant, and give your dog space if you sense any discomfort in them.

• Brush Up on Training: Make sure your dog knows essential commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it.” These commands can help prevent potentially dangerous situations and allow you to redirect your dog’s behavior around the baby. If your dog hasn’t had any formal training, getting them professional training before your baby arrives can really set you all up for success.

2. Introducing Your Infant and Dog

Introducing your infant and dog is a big moment. This introduction should be calm, controlled, and positive for both your baby and your dog. Here’s how to make the first meeting go smoothly:

• Start with Scent: Before bringing the baby home, bring a blanket or piece of clothing that smells like the baby for your dog to sniff. Allow your dog to smell this in a calm environment, using praise or treats to reinforce positive associations with the baby’s scent.

• Choose a Calm, Quiet Environment: Ideally, the first introduction should be in a calm, controlled space with minimal distractions. Have one person hold the baby while another handles the dog on a leash, ensuring the dog is calm and not too excited. Taking your dog on a walk or a long hike in the Bay Area hills before interacting will also help your dog feel calmer.

• Keep the Interaction Brief: Allow your dog to sniff the baby from a comfortable distance. Use positive reinforcement, like gentle praise and treats, for calm behavior. Keep the interaction brief, ending it on a positive note before your dog gets too excited or anxious.

3. Establish Safety Guidelines for Your Infant and Dog

Creating a safe environment is essential as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Here are some essential safety tips to keep in mind:

• Never Leave an Infant and Dog Together Unsupervised: No matter how gentle your dog is, avoid leaving your baby and dog alone together. Even the gentlest dogs can react unpredictably if startled or mishandled, and an infant won’t understand boundaries. If you have a big dog, they can accidentally hurt your infant.

• Teach Gentle Touch: As your baby grows, start teaching them to use gentle touches with your dog. Demonstrate how to stroke the dog gently and discourage pulling, grabbing, or hugging, which can make dogs uncomfortable. Even if your dog seemingly tolerates these touches, it’s important your dog understand you are going to protect their boundaries and not let the infant hurt or bother them.

• Create Boundaries for Both: If your dog has a designated space, like a bed or crate, teach your baby to respect this area. At the same time, train your dog to stay off baby’s playmates or beds to prevent accidental injuries. Crate training your dog can be a real life saver, and significantly help you manage interactions between your infant and dog.

4. Nurture Positive Associations Between Your Infant and Dog

Building positive associations between your infant and dog can help create a lasting bond. Use these tips to reinforce positive behaviors:

• Reward Calm Behavior: Whenever your dog is calm and relaxed around the baby, give treats or praise. If your dog get’s overly excited by treats, using praise or pets are best. Reinforcing your dog’s calm behavior helps your dog associate the baby with calmness rather than excitement or anxiety.

• Include Your Dog in Baby Activities: Allow your dog to be part of family activities with the baby, like taking stroller walks or sitting in the living room during playtime. This keeps your dog involved and less likely to feel left out.

• Supervised Interaction with Baby Toys: Baby toys can look like dog toys, so teach your dog not to pick up or chew on baby items. Provide your dog with their own toys and chews, and redirect them if they accidentally mistake a baby toy for one of theirs.

5. Look for Signs of Discomfort

This is an example of “whale eye”—when a dog is looking out of the side of their eye and you can see the whites of the eyes. This dog also has their ears pinned back and looks tense.

Dogs communicate with their body. Pay attention to dog signs of discomfort, such as:

• Yawning, lip licking, or turning away

• Stiff or tense body posture

• “Whale eye” >> See image

• Ears flattened or tail tucked

If you notice any of these signs, remove your dog from the situation and give them time to relax. Respecting these boundaries helps your dog feel safe, minimizing the risk of reactive behavior. If you aren’t sure how your dog feels about your baby, reach out and ask for help assessing their interactions.

6. Keep Routine and Play Balanced

A new baby often means less time for your dog. Make a conscious effort to include one-on-one time with your dog for walks, play, and training. Consistent exercise and stimulation can reduce any frustration or pent-up energy that may result from the change in routine. If you have trouble giving your dog the outlets they need, consider taking your dog to a day care in the Bay Area, or having a walker come over throughout the day to take them out.

7. Expect and Adapt to Changes Over Time

The relationship between your baby and dog will evolve as your child grows. Continue to monitor interactions and adapt guidelines as necessary, especially when your baby starts crawling and walking. Regular, supervised playtime and consistent training will foster a lifelong friendship rooted in respect and understanding.

In Summary

Introducing your infant and dog requires patience, preparation, and consistent training. By preparing your dog before the baby’s arrival, making a calm, supervised introduction, and setting clear boundaries, you can build a positive and safe relationship between your child and your dog. With time, patience, and ongoing supervision, you’re helping create a bond that can bring joy, companionship, and fond memories for years to come.