Dog Nervous Around Your Baby? 8 Ways to Help Your Dog
IF YOUR DOG IS NERVOUS AROUND YOUR BABY…
It often surprises people that dogs can be nervous or fearful around a little baby. After all, we know that the baby couldn’t possibly hurt the dog. But dogs are programmed to be wary of anything unfamiliar. A new baby can be a source of stress for your dog, and your dog’s nervousness can be stressful for you as you parent your baby and your dog.
So how can you help your dog get to know your baby, in a friendly, positive way? The suggestions in this article will make it easier for your dog to relax around the baby.
SPACE - Tight spaces can cause tension for dogs, so make sure your dog has room to move away. Be mindful of places such as the space between a couch and a coffee table, or narrow doorways. Dogs should always have an easy escape route.
Never use treats to coax or bribe your dog to come close to the baby; let your dog choose whether to stay away or come closer. If your dog is near the baby, make sure you’re right there supervising.
TIME - Prolonged contact between a nervous dog and a baby can cause the dog’s stress to skyrocket, even if the two are far apart but in the same room. So keep their time together brief, just 3-5 minutes at most, and then give your dog a break from your baby, perhaps in a safe place with a chew toy.
A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR DOG - We all need a place that feels safe and comforting to us, a sanctuary from the stresses of everyday life. Your dog is no different, and he will benefit greatly from a place where he can relax quietly, away from the baby, when he needs a break. That safe place should have a comfortable dog bed and some favorite toys, including chew toys. Scattering some treats on the bed when your dog isn’t watching, so he can find them for himself, can help promote a positive feeling about that spot. It’s important that your dog’s safe place is not accessible to your baby.
CHEW TOYS - Count yourself lucky if your dog likes to chew! Chewing can be a great way for dogs to relieve stress, and dogs that enjoy chewing have a built-in way to help themselves reduce their own nervousness. Your dog should have several different chew toys, and they should be given to him one at a time and rotated so they stay interesting. These toys are for your dog ONLY - your baby should not have access to them.
MINIMIZING LOUD BABY SOUNDS - Babies can get pretty noisy sometimes, whether from crying, which can get loud, or, when they’re older, banging pots and pans or throwing things. While all this is normal baby behavior, it can be stressful for a dog who is sensitive to loud sounds. Be aware, and help your dog to his safe place, away from your baby, if he’s stressed by baby’s noise.
FEEDING YOUR DOG - It should go without saying that babies (and all children, as well as adults) should stay away from dogs when the dogs are eating. Many dogs are protective of their food, and a baby crawling toward a dog’s food dish can trigger a defensive reaction from a hungry dog.
Dogs should have a safe place where they can eat in peace, without interference, and the food dish should be picked up when the dog is finished eating, because some dogs will protect an empty food bowl.
What if your dog doesn’t finish and there’s food left in the dish? Pick it up and use the food for the next meal. Don’t leave the dog’s food bowl anywhere that the baby could get to it.
BABY FEEDING TIME - Whether you’re breast feeding or bottle feeding your baby, your dog may be very curious about what’s going on when you’re holding your baby and the baby is eating. Lots of dogs will try to get close and push their muzzle right in between the baby and the source of food.
This isn’t very hygienic or safe, and it certainly doesn’t make for relaxed feeding time, so it’s a good idea for your dog to be enjoying a chew toy and quiet time in his safe place.
What about when your baby is in a high chair eating? Look for another blog article about this special subject. In the meantime, keeping dog and baby separated while eating will avoid your dog seeing your baby as a source of food, and that’s a good thing!
For more about keeping feeding time calm and safe, see my article Dogs, Babies and Food - Not a Good Threesome!
SLEEPING TIME - Whether it’s nap time or night time, your dog should never have access to your baby when you’re asleep and can’t supervise. Where does your dog sleep? In your bedroom? Is your baby in a crib or bassinet in your room?
If so, there should always be a secure barrier between dog and baby when you’re asleep and can’t supervise, so if your dog is comfortable in his crate, that’s one good solution. Whether your dog is nervous about your baby or not, supervision is the #1 best way to prevent problems between dog and baby. Check out this blog article for many other suggestions. Supervision: The Absolute, #1 Best Way to Keep Your Dog and Baby Home Calm and Safe