Housetraining
Behavioral Therapy
Client Study Essay
Client Study Evaluation
Introducing a New Baby
Secrets to Choose a Trainer
Do-It-Yourself Physical
Test Your Pups Behavior

How to Introduce Your Dog to Your New Baby

A new parents worst nightmare. They have got through the ups and downs of pregnancy and childbirth, take the baby home and find out that their existing “old baby” (Fido) has decided to “dislike” the new addition.

This is a very common problem, and in true poochschool fashion we are going to give you “Real” solutions from the experts... at no charge.

But... no one said it’s an easy fix!

Firstly... most importantly, we must remember that the dog has been NUMBER ONE CHILD for some time, possibly many years, in the household.

Dog’s do not get jealous, they have “attention” issues, but this is not anything close to the human interpretation of jealously.

Mom and Dad don’t realize the problem with the perceived “jealousy” on the dogs part, is not actually jealousy but severe “environmental disruption”. Dogs are creatures of habit and when the family unit is disrupted and new rules are established overnight, this causes the dog to become very “discomfumbulated”(I wonder if this is a real word)... or in human terms... “bent out of shape”.

Prior to the new baby’s arrival, the dog’s habit patterns were very established and the dog had settled into daily life and adjusted to living in it’s environment. I’m sure most of us can relate to this. The dog has perhaps got through puppy stages, started to settle down and is happy with the same routine EVERY DAY.

Usually dog’s are happiest when they have a reasonably predictable living scenario. Wake at the same time every day, eat at the same time, go for walks or rides in the car at the same time, etc., etc.

When there is a major event in any household (to a dog, that could just mean a new dog/cat coming to next door neighbors house) such as a new baby, it does affect your dog. Put yourself in the dog’s shoes for a second. One day it’s napping on the couch, getting massages and being hand fed bon bon’s... the next day it’s sleeping in the garage
(or outside in it’s brand new doghouse) eating dry dog food and wondering why life has changed for the worst... and so quickly.

To add insult to injury... when the dog is let inside (because Mom and Dad do feel guilty occasionally), it’s prior established habit pattern of lying on the couch is immediately disrupted as soon as the NEW screaming two legged puppy (baby) arrives in the room.

Usually the “dog growls at new baby” scenario begins a couple of days after the baby arrives home. The dog gets “trained” to a “trigger” that represents a “disruption” of existing habit patterns, and involves the acceptance of new (but not immediately acceptable) environmental issues.

In a nutshell... Dog sees baby, dog growls, dog has to go outside.

As would be expected, Mom and Dad are consumed by the thought of physical injury to the new baby. This breeds an “air” of anxiety in the household whenever Fido is around, and even times that Fido is not inside.

Dog’s have a keen sense of observation, can read body language, discern voice tones(moods) and instantly detect chemical changes in human body odor (Lactic acid secreted because of fear or anxiety).

Now we have a scenario developed that “prior” to baby coming into the dog’s immediate environment, Mom or Dad(or both) are sending chemical indicators to the dog that suggest “disruption” and VIOLA ... baby arrives and “trigger’s” the negative behavior.

Is it the baby’s fault?...”NO.” Is it the Dog’s fault?... “NO.” Who’s fault could it be then ?

The trouble started long before baby was born!!!

Mom and Dad could have prepared the Fido better for the “event.”

The best piece of advice we can impart, is to prepare at least three months before baby arrives. Whatever your decision is, in regard to how the dog’s life is going to change, start implementing then.

If the dog is going to be strictly an outside dog... then start doing that.

If the dog is going to be an inside/outside dog... then start that.

If you feel you will not have the time give the dog that “second walk” every evening... then start doing it.

If Mom is usually the one who does the walking, but knows that she can’t do it when baby comes... then have Dad take over.

If Dad works late and can’t do it, then stop the evening walk and substitute a short “play ball” session... but do it three months before
... NOT THREE DAYS.

The same advice applies to every other area of the dog’s life that is going to change due to the new baby’s arrival. Think ahead, think how your life will be at “baby time”, and try to make the adjustment for your dog’s benefit.

Remember...you are not training the dog to “accept” a new baby at this point... you are merely setting up the “perfect stage” to allow the easiest possible transition for YOU and you the dog, when the time arrives.

As much as possible, always train the dog to enter the house in a quiet manner, try to always keep the same “physical” positions in the room i.e. Mom sitting on the couch, Dad letting the dog inside... remember you are practicing “dry runs”.

In conjunction with the previously outlined suggestions, the most important strategy needs to be implemented.

You will begin introducing “Affection/Attention Withdrawal” techniques to the scenario.

This sounds harsher than it actually is, but the routine must be followed diligently and very consistently... otherwise it is a waste of your time and effort.

Remember... dog’s are attention junkies, the more they get, the more they want. It is truly the best training motivation a person could ever use. This is the true key to success.

Affection/Attention withdrawal (although there are many variations, and uses) in this context means “Measuring the amount, frequency and output” of your intimate interactions with the dog. In other words, if evening time is when you “cuddle” your dog on the couch most... then backing off on this by 60%, is part of the overall strategy.

Why? ... because the Key to having the dog accept your baby is to “ASSOCIATE” the baby with the dog’s USUAL ATTENTION SESSIONS.

I want the dog to feel that the time it gets the most “intimacy”, is when the baby is around. I want the dog to be excited about being around the new baby because that’s the time the dog gets noticed and petted and praised (just like old times). I want the baby to “trigger”
excitement in the dog.

In the dog’s mind it equates to, BABY + DOG= GOOD DEAL FOR FIDO.

It’s very basic... basically very funny... but how the dog thinks... period.

Because you withdrew 60% of the dogs normal attention 3 months prior and the dog has now “accepted” and adopted to the withdrawal. You now have a dog that is more appreciative of attention and strives for affection. This is the “mind set” you want to achieve, so as the dog quickly responds to the increase in attention at times that baby is around.

Sometimes Mom or Dad feels sorry for the dog (I’ve seen this many times in private practice) and they begin to sneak attention sessions while one or the other is not around. THIS IS THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO. BE CONSISTENT PLEASE.

I AGREE, THIS WITHDRAWAL THING IS HARD ON ALL INVOLVED... BUT GETTING RID OF YOUR DOG FOR BITING YOUR CHILD, WOULD BE MUCH, MUCH HARDER.

OK... in a perfect world Mom and Dad have done all they can to re-define the dog’s behavioral patterns prior to baby’s arrival. Now the day comes and Mom/Dad are coming home from the hospital.

The dog should be outside or in another room with a divider (as you have been doing for 3 months) prior to your coming home.

You enter as you normally would, give the dog NO ATTENTION for the first five to ten minutes (which you have being doing for 3 months prior)... so to this point nothing has changed(in Fido’s mind).

When you decide to let the dog into the baby’s presence (Basically with Mom and Dad in the same “positions” in the room as prior “dry” runs) do so in a “Low Key” fashion, so as not to overly excite the dog(which you will have done on prior occasions).

Your dog should be ON LEASH and brought about 5 feet away from the baby. At this distance the dog will pick up the baby’s scent.
The handler should give the dog attention and affection, but not too much, as that will be reserved for the moment the dog gets it’s first close up look at the baby.

This first session the dog will not “physically” touch the baby. The session should last about 15 minutes, each five min period the dog and handler move one foot closer to the dog.

When your last petting session (two feet from the baby) ends, put the dog back to an adjacent room with a divider(baby gate) , so the dog will not feel completely left out.

Let 30 minutes pass, not giving Fido ANY attention and then begin another session.

Your second session begins at two feet from the baby, for ten minutes. Mom and Dad should talk to each other in “NORMAL” tones, show no apprehension, and give the least indication possible that you have any concerns about the dog being present.

In the last five minutes of this session you may let the dog as close as you feel comfortable... preferably sniffing the baby’s covered feet (Feet can still be covered by the baby’s blanket at this time). Do this exercise 10-20 times over the next two days, before you let the dog lick the baby’s feet.

Once the dog gets the “FIRST” close sniff of the baby, immediately use the baby’s name followed by “Good” Fido. Say “Pretty Baby” ... Good Fido”...10 20 times. Make your praise WARM AND SINCERE, don’t pretend...be real...this is the most crucial point of the introduction.
Do not use a lot of other words, you want to imprint the baby’s name and the Good Fido, in conjunction with sincere, warm praise and generous attention.

I would wait a few days before allowing the dog to lick the baby’s face. You can use your discretion about this. You know your dog best.

Over the next 7 days only give the dog attention when the baby is present...completely withdraw attention at other times. Continue to use your leash(for safety reasons) until you feel comfortable with your dog “off leash.” This could take a few months, again it’s up to you, you know your dog best.

Preparation for the arrival of a new baby is the key to success. Some dogs will “adopt” their new littermate very quickly... some will take years (we have seen dogs take 5 years to get comfortable), it really depends on the individual dog.

Just remember, the last thing you want to do is create an “aversion” to your baby, by putting your dog away (punishment), when the baby is present.

Proper planning and dry runs will make the introduction seem like “just another day” your best friend and it will continue on it’s path in life, armed with the new behaviors you have trained it to accept.