5 tips so that your baby and your dog can live in perfect harmony
The crib, the stroller, the bottle warmer, the car seat… You have everything ready for the arrival of your baby. Everything? If you already have a four-legged member in your family, the birth of a baby is going to revolutionize your routines quite a bit.
Do not panic! Like many things in this life, especially if we talk about motherhood, one of the keys to success lies in being well prepared.
And for this you can count on our advice.
We’re pretty sure your baby and dog will end up being the best friends in the world!
Prepare the ground before the baby arrives
In many couples without children who have a dog, this occupies a special place. Unfortunately, some of us tend to fall for anthropomorphism and treat our dog as if he were a child. We show little or no authority, we let you do what you want and we don’t set limits. It is a mistake since dogs need a framework, well-established limits to be happy. They want to know where they can fit in the family hierarchy.
It is because of these same mistakes that some tend to relegate their dog to a secondary position when their first child is born. But dogs, like all animals, are beings endowed with sensitivity who experience this sudden and unexplained departure quite badly.
The good news is that a pregnancy lasts 9 months, which gives you plenty of time to prepare your dog for the arrival of your baby. If until now your dog was the king of the house, we recommend that you do things progressively, so that the change is not too gross. You may be surprised at first, but you will get used to these changes that are for your own good.
Many new objects are going to enter your house to prepare your baby’s room. It is advisable to transmit positive feelings to your dog about these new objects and spaces, instead of prohibiting access to them. Dogs are curious animals, it is normal that they want to sniff out these novelties. Let him explore these elements, taking care not to break anything clear, but always from a positive point of view, without prohibitions or negativity.
It is important to be careful that the dog does not try to appropriate the baby’s things, especially when it comes to toys. Differentiate each other’s toys well, to avoid possible misunderstandings later.
Take care of your dog’s well-being throughout the entire process
If you are going to make changes in your dog’s life, be careful that these are not too abrupt. And although the preparations and pregnancy take a lot of time and energy, never leave your dog in the background. You have chosen to bring him into your life, he has not asked for anything.
Take care of your time and space. Maintaining, for example, their routines of walks, meals and sleep.
We recommend that you set up your bed in a quiet spot, but not too far from the hustle and bustle of your home. So you can rest but not feel marginalized.
The moment of giving birth and the days in which you will be hospitalized will be delicate, since you will not be able to ensure the well-being of your dog yourself. Perhaps when you are away for a few days, to go on vacation, you usually leave your dog with a relative. But with the arrival of your baby, your relatives will also be busy. At this time you can request the services of a private dog sitter. In recent years, they have proven to be the perfect alternative to traditional kennels. Staying at his sitter’s house, your dog will find the warmth of a home and continuous attention.
This will help him feel better in your absence. It is best to arrange a meeting with the caregiver in advance, either for a walk or for day care. So on D-Day, your dog will stay with a person who will already be trusted by him.
The moment of the presentations
First impressions are very important. And even more so if we talk about the introductions between your baby and your dog. Surely this great moment will take place when you return from the hospital.
Here are some steps that we advise you to follow:
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Calmly enter the house without paying too much attention to your dog.
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Ask another adult to help put the dog on its collar and leash. The belt must be without tension. If the slightest problem arises, this person will be able to pull the dog away by pulling on the leash.
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Once the dog has calmed down, gently approach him, with your baby in your arms.
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Get down to the dog’s level so he can smell the baby. Whenever you do this, it should be with the baby’s feet close to the dog, never the face. After a few seconds, gently stand up.
All this has to last a few seconds. If the dog starts to get excited or growls, you have to stop everything.
If this first meeting goes well, it’s time to reward your dog (with a pet or a treat) and draw his attention to another activity.
From the first months to exploring the world together
During his first months, your baby will not have autonomy of movement, which is a positive point for you since it will allow you to perfectly control all the contacts between your baby and your dog.
Take advantage of this stage so that your dog associates your baby with positive elements.
For example, take it with you when you go out for a walk with the stroller.
Always have some treats on hand to give your dog one as soon as the baby shows up. If your baby cries a lot, don’t get overwhelmed. Dogs feel our emotions. Let him see that this is completely normal.
From the moment your baby is going to start walking, be it on all fours or two legs, you will have to constantly monitor the situation. Too many unfortunate accidents happen, sometimes ending in tragedies.
It is important to remember that it is never the fault of the child or the dog. Neither of them is bad or violent by nature. When an accident occurs, the fault is always the negligence of some adult. It is our duty to educate, anticipate and protect both our baby and our dog. Each one speaks his own language and misunderstandings can occur. You have to teach each other respect for the other.
A friend for life
All the people who have grown up with a dog will tell you: it was their first, and in many cases, their best friend. For a child, a dog is a companion animated by unconditional love, a reassuring presence, a reliable point of reference, compared to human friendships that can be complicated. Many programs use therapy dogs to help children who have trouble learning to read. Educators invite children to read aloud to a dog, because dogs lend an attentive ear that listens without judging.
If all this were not enough, it turns out that children who grow up living with a dog have better immune defenses. On a psychological level, the advantages are also many: the presence of a dog in the home teaches children a sense of responsibilities and respect for other species.
Now all you have to do is enjoy all the new adventures you have to live together!