Introducing Your Newborn Baby to the Family Dogs
My-Dog.info > Getting a Dog or Puppy
Introduction of a newborn to the family dogs is an important
event. The acceptance of the new baby is best facilitated by a
gentle, gradual, low-stress introduction. Don't feel like you
have to accomplish this in one day! Start slowly when parents
feel ready, and preferably with one dog at a time, especially if
they are boisterous pets.
Make sure the dogs are healthy and up to date on vaccinations
and deworming, and have had a physical examination and a stool
sample performed to confirm that there are no internal or
external parasites present before there is contact with the baby.
It is not a sanitary practice to allow dogs to lick a baby's face
or skin because the immune system of a baby is not fully
developed. There is a normal bacterial population in the saliva
of the dog that increases if there is dental disease, or the dog
has free access to the outdoors, and therefore possible sources
of spoiled food etc. They don't nickname them garbage hounds for
nothing! If a friendly lick occurs inadvertently though, don't
worry. Just wash the skin with soap and water.
Remember that the dogs will expect your continued attention to
reassure them that they are still very important to you. During
breaks such as naptime, take time to play with the dogs and groom
them etc. This will go a long way to encourage "doggie"
acceptance.
If the dogs have been unpredictable in their behaviour with
other household visitors, before the baby arrives it would be
wise to discuss any concerns with your veterinarian.
When your bundle of joy first arrives in the household, due to
the need for mother and baby to bond and get extra rest, wait a
bit to introduce dogs and baby. Start by allowing the dogs to
smell the baby's things. Place items (such as receiving blankets)
around the house before laundering them so that the dogs get to
recognize the baby smell and have an opportunity to explore and
sniff at their own pace. Praise them when they smell the item and
do not growl. Then, when you allow the dog near Mom and baby,
make sure two adults are present; Mom and perhaps her partner or
another person who knows the dogs well. This way, if there is any
unusual reaction by the dog, the dog can be removed from the room
by the second person without Mom having to try to juggle dog and
baby! Reward a calm dog reaction with a treat, or lots of
praise/petting. This suffices for most dogs. Once they see that
baby is not a threat to their social order, they go about their
usual routine. If anything unusual happens on the first exposure
such as unusual fear or hints of aggression, remove the dog and
contact your veterinarian for further advice.
Prevent your dogs from entering the baby's room to help
maintain cleanliness and quiet, and to prevent unusual
circumstances. A great solution to a parent's wish to leave the
nursery door open or ajar is to install an inexpensive screen
door, and leave the wooden door open. This provides air
circulation and allows one to hear the baby, while keeping pets
outside of the nursery. The screen door can be removed when the
child is older.
Even after you are sure they have accepted the baby, remember
that dogs should never be left unattended with children, even for
short periods of time.
Taking introductions slowly will allow you to introduce family
dogs and babies safely. Dogs are generally very accommodating in
adopting "Baby" as part of their expanding family -- a
newcomer to his people pack!
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
|
 |
|
|
Save big on quality brand name pet meds and other pet supplies!
Pet Shed is the premier source for discount pet supplies on the Internet. Heartgard heartworm, Frontline Plus flea control, Advantage flea control, Revolution flea & heartworm, and many other pet medications.
|
