Children & Dogs
Children and Dogs
I am often contacted by couples who will soon be bringing a new baby into a home where the center of attention has always been the pet dog. How will the changes in the family impact their relationship with their pet? How will the dog cope with a new member in the family? Will the child be safe and will the dog adapt successfully? These are important questions.
How to tell your dog that you are pregnant?
Your dog knows already. Even without ever having previously observed it, a dog instinctively recognizes pregnancy in other animals, and humans. Dogs are often used by dairy ranchers to select cows for breeding by detecting estrogen levels. Researchers are training dogs to use their remarkable sense of smell to detect diseases such as cancer or diabetes. Hormonal changes and accompanying smells are noticeable in a woman who is pregnant, so it is quite likely your dog knew you were pregnant before you did.
A dog will also read the signs in the environment – changes in attitudes, the preparation of the baby’s room, the addition of new articles of furniture such as a high chair or crib, and a shift of the focus of attention. The dog may be relocated out of the house or not allowed in spaces where he once roamed freely.
Your dog will probably understand, but to offset any feelings of rejection or the idea that he is being punished, just take the time to maintain as much of his normal routine as possible. However, some changes are inevitable, so begin introducing them gradually.
How will my dog and my new baby interact?
About a month before the baby is expected, begin treating the dog a little more strictly than in the past. Cut down on any special rewards or treats, put the dog’s toys away from time to time or restrict them to outdoors, offer less petting and insist that the dog sleeps in a common area alone (rather than in your bedroom or some other choice spot). Realistically, once the new baby has arrived your own time for these things will be severely limited, therefore it is best to make changes prior to the baby’s arrival so any confusing or negative impressions are not connected with the new member of the family.
Only reward the dog is when the baby is present. By associating rewards, petting, treats, or even meals, with times when the baby is around, your dog will quickly realize that the baby is the source of all of these good things and the association with the child will be totally positive.
To introduce a child or the baby to the dog allow the dog to come forward (this rule applies to introducing anyone to your dog). Do not force the presence of a person on your dog because this may make your dog fearful or defensive. After a week or so of having the baby and dog co-exist without any negative incidents occurring you may allow the dog to approach the baby and smell its foot or something like this.
Children should not be left unattended with a dog. Even the most reliable and socialized dog can bite if he feels threatened. Dogs cannot speak and they do not have hands with which to defend themselves. They have teeth and an instinctive mechanism to use them when they feel threatened. I have seen children play very cruelly with dogs – even unintentionally – and I have no doubt that most “dog attacks” on children are provoked defensive actions.
Dogs view humans as members of their pack. To a dog, a child is thought of and treated like a puppy. The majority of well socialized dogs are patient and forgiving with both human and canine young. But it’s also true that to an adult dog children can be thought of as prey animals. Children are small, they have high pitched voices and often squeal or cry – all traits in common with animals that a canine might prey on.
Bringing a puppy home into a family that already has a small child needs the same thoughtful approach. With a child you can educate and explain how to properly act around a dog. Gradually introduce the dog to the child and show the puppy that he should associate the child with pleasant things – such as treats and your attention. In this way you will create a harmonious relationship.
Copyright © 2011 by Patrick Bundock. All Rights Reserved.