Dog And Infant Safety
New parents who are dog owners will want to do everything possible to ensure that they’re bringing baby into a safe home. Fortunately, you’ll be able to prepare in advance, and get your dog accustomed to having a baby in the house before the baby even arrives. Dog owners make a few common mistakes when a baby arrives on the scene; learn how to avoid these mistakes and to ensure infant safety in your home.
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Step 1:
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Child's Safety
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Bringing a new baby to the world is a wonderful, and enriching experience. As parents and pet owners, we want to do everything we can to ensure our child's safety.
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Step 2:
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Dog Training
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The number one thing I tell parents that are going to be having a child, is to first bring your dog through obedience class.
The key is to prepare in advance for baby's arrival. Try playing pre-recorded baby noises to get your dog used to the sound. If your dog seems fearful or becomes agitated, these are the warning signs.
Consider taking your dog to a behaviorist to work out the problem. The biggest mistake most owners make is locking up their dog when they play with the baby. This can create jealousy and resentment.
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Step 3:
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Dog/ Baby Synergy
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Stay calm, have your dog by your side in a down position while you tend to the baby. Make it a positive experience. Once your infant starts to crawl, it creates a whole new set of circumstances. That's why you have to bomb-proof your dog. Grab their ears, yank their tail, hug them, similar to the way your own infant would grab on to a dog. This will desensitize them to nuisance behavior.
Get rid of any chew toys that make squeaky noises. The squeak could be confused with baby sounds, and could ramp up prey drive. If your dog ever growls at your baby, or nips your infant, get a behaviorist immediately. The last resort might have to be relocation.
Next time on The Pet Report, we'll give you some tips on how to make sure your dog and child get along when they get a little older.
