How Well Do You Know Your Dog?

I often get calls from parents who are surprised by the way their dog is reacting to their baby, and those parents ask me for help in figuring out what’s going on with the dog. For example, a new parent I’ll call Susie (not her real name) contacted me recently.

SUSIE, HER BABY, AND THEIR DOG LUCKY

Susie told me that Lucky was generally a friendly dog who enjoyed walks, played nicely with other dogs, and was quiet and well behaved at home.

But since their baby girl had been born, Lucky’s behavior had changed. He  was nervous around the baby and ran out of the room when she cried. When Susie fed the baby, Lucky would approach, start to jump on the couch, and then quickly turn and move away. He sometimes barked at the baby, and lately had started whining when Susie was carrying her. 

Susie was a dedicated, responsible dog guardian who loved Lucky and wanted the best for him, and had always thought she knew him well. But since her baby had arrived, she had become confused and concerned about how Lucky had changed, and she wondered how to help him get back to his previous calm behavior.

HOW I HELP CLIENTS WITH THEIR DOGS

When I work with clients with their dogs’ reaction to their baby, I start by asking them questions about the dog. Some of the questions surprise people, because at first glance they don’t seem related to the dog’s response to the baby. But after years of helping people with their dogs and babies, I know exactly which questions will tell them what they need to know to change those pesky behaviors that concern them. 

Here are some examples of what parents ask me about:

• Their dog is nervous about their new baby and avoids her.

• He runs and hides when the baby cries or makes noise.

• When the baby is being fed, the dog is curious and comes over to investigate.

• The dog is defensive about his bed or his spot on the couch.

• He starts guarding his food or toys.

• The dog is excitable, jumping up, trying to play with the baby, doggie style.

• When the baby starts crawling or walking, the dog chases her and barks when the baby moves.

Some of these doggie behaviors are frustrating and annoying; others, such as guarding behaviors, are potentially dangerous. Whatever your dog is doing that you want to change, the first step is getting to know your dog even better than you do now.

WHAT SUSIE LEARNED ABOUT HER DOG LUCKY

As Susie and I talked about Lucky’s response to the baby, she realized that when Lucky was around older children, he seemed a bit nervous. And Susie knew he had never been around young babies. She also remembered that Lucky had sometimes been reluctant to interact with visitors to their home, preferring to keep some distance from them. 

The more we talked, the more Susie understood that Lucky’s nervous reaction to the baby was because Lucky had never had contact with babies, and he hadn’t adjusted to having that new, unfamiliar little creature in the house.

The questions I asked Susie had been carefully worked out to pinpoint the reasons for a dog’s response to a baby. Answering those questions made it easier for Susie to understand Lucky, so that she could help him when he felt stressed around her baby. 

HOW YOU CAN GET THOSE QUESTIONS FOR YOURSELF

What are those important questions that I asked Susie? You can see them right now for yourself by downloading one (or more!) of my FREE Checklists at www.yourdogandbaby.com. 

The first Checklist is for people expecting a baby; the second is about your dog’s reaction to your newborn infant; the third is about your dog around your crawling baby or toddler.

The first Checklist will help you predict how your dog is likely to react to your baby when she arrives; this will make it easier for you to prepare your dog ahead of your baby’s arrival, so that he’ll be more comfortable with her when she comes home, and life changes for everyone.

Many new parents are surprised at the way their dog reacts to their new baby; the second Checklist will help you understand your dog around your baby, whether he takes the new LO in stride or has some trouble adjusting. Knowing the reasons for your dog’s reactions is the first step in helping him change. 

The third Checklist is about dogs and crawling babies and toddlers. When babies start crawling and walking, dogs’ behavior often changes dramatically, and parents can find it difficult to manage a dog and a fast-moving baby. This Checklist will help you understand how to keep your home calm and safe. 

For example, if your dog is shy or timid, reluctant to meet new people, or nervous in unfamiliar situations, his shyness may cause him to be stressed around your baby.   

If your dog wants to be with you constantly, he may find it difficult to share your time and attention with your baby.

If he plays roughly with other dogs, he might want to play the same way with your baby. 

HOW THE CHECKLIST CAN HELP YOU

As you go through the Checklist, you’ll learn more and more about your dog, and how and why he reacts as he does. That knowledge makes it easier to plan for training if that’s what you need to do; it will also help you decide if you need help from a trainer.

And if you have questions about your dog around your baby, I’m here to help! Just send me an email at jane@yourdogandbaby.com.

So don’t forget to get your Checklist at www.yourdogandbaby.com. It just takes a minute to download, so why not do it right now?