When you first introduce your new baby, ensure your dog is on a leash and that there are at least two adults present – one to supervise the baby and one to supervise the pet. Have one member of the family greet the pet first and then introduce the baby when your pet is calm and relaxed.
Generally speaking, it's all right to allow your pet near your new baby, as long as the pet is well behaved and you are there to supervise. It's common for a pet, who has until recently been the focus of the family's attention, to become jealous of a new baby.
Many babies become interested in patting dogs when they're as young as 6 months old. That's fine, as long as your dog is comfortable with the attention and you keep a close eye on your baby at all times. Never leave your child alone with a dog, even if it's your well-trained, easygoing family pet.
Growing evidence also suggests that exposure to household pets, particularly dogs, during pregnancy and infancy may increase immunity and help lower the baby's risk of health problems such as allergies and asthma.
Fortunately, most dogs look upon a baby with curiosity and interest and will show no signs of aggression or other negative behavior. However, some dogs may perceive an infant as a strange mammal or even a potential item of prey. "Dogs that have never seen a baby may not view them as human beings."
Don't assume that what looks like jealousy, is truly jealousy. Many dogs are not comfortable around babies and may be scared of them. If your dog seems scared, don't force her to interact with the baby.
Despite the benefits, many people still wonder, "should I get a dog before having a baby?" Whatever you ultimately decide, it's an excellent question to ask. In general, it's best to wait until your child is older so you aren't trying to adjust to a new baby and a new pet all at once.
While your baby is tiny, you will generally be able to keep them and your pets apart for most of the time. Keep pets out of the room they sleep in, and never let a pet share a bed with your baby. Always introduce your pets gently to a new baby. Dogs may feel jealous of a new baby when you first bring them home.
If your dog growls at your child he is sending a clear warning that he is very uncomfortable with the actions or proximity of the child. Be grateful that your dog chose to warn with a growl rather than going straight to a bite.
Put a dog bed in an out-of-the-way spot in the baby's room, and keep a container of dog treats in the room. Every once in a while, leave a few treats on your dog's bed when she's not looking. Later on, she can discover them on her own. She'll learn to love her new spot in the baby's room!
Generally, since many dog bite injuries happen to young children, it may be safest to wait until your child is older than age 4. But think about your children and their individual maturity levels, because each child develops differently.
Dogs hear a frequency range of 40 to 60,000 Hz while the human range is between 20 and 20,000 Hz. High-pitched, loud noises such as a baby's cry can excite them. "It's possible a dog can misinterpret those sounds and think they're prey … or that tiny squeals might excite that dog," Mr O'Shea says.
A dog's mouth carries a lot of germs, which can easily be passed to people. This is especially problematic for babies and immune suppressed adults. Both are at an increased risk of contracting infections and parasites from dogs. So, even though it may look cute, a dog licking a baby's face should not be allowed.
For example, they can sense that a baby is vulnerable and harmless. You might see a dog sniff or lick a baby's face or rear end; don't let this behavior scare you as it's their way of checking the baby's health.
Research has shown that dogs perceive and respond to newborns in a different way than they do to adults. They have an innate ability to sense when a newborn is vulnerable, which triggers their protective instincts.
This depends very much on the breed or mix of your dog. But some people choose a she-dog if they have children, as many females are naturally more protective of young ones and will come to look upon your young kids as oversized pups.
Here's the thing, though — when it comes to raising cute, helpless, and needy creatures, raising a puppy is way harder than raising a baby.
Pairing babies and puppies early provide many benefits for children. Not only do they learn compassion and responsibility, but exposure to dogs also reduces the risk of allergies and obesity. Just do it carefully and cautiously to ensure the experience is good for both, and you'll build a lifelong bond.
Generally, dogs will want to sniff the baby and may nudge the baby with their nose or even lick the baby. For the most part, unless the baby was born with a particularly weak immune system or other health concern, these actions are perfectly fine and are a normal investigation process for your dog.
Dogs that are bred to herd animals often use nudging to tell those animals where to go. When dogs with this instinct are put in a domestic situation, they will sometimes “herd” people (usually children) with some nose-nudging.
Professor Ruffman states that this indicates the presence of empathy, meaning that the dogs subconsciously felt upset in response to the baby's distress. Canine behavior experts have also stated that dogs pick up on the energy around them and that the energy of a crying baby causes the dog to feel upset.
They Lay Near Your Baby
Some cats are more cuddly than others, so it might be difficult to gauge how they feel about your baby when they're not one to snuggle in the first place. Dogs, however, might have a more obvious tell. Either way, if your pet is taking naps by your baby, they're probably in love.