Simple Rules For Life With Dogs and Babies
You wouldn’t believe how controversial keeping a dog in a house with a baby can be.
You can’t find a picture on the internet of a baby and a dog together without the comments section descending into chaos, with two hugely opposing sides. One will be sharing adoring anecdotes and sweet emojis, the other will be warning of your newborn’s impending doom at the jaws of a rabid canine.
So who’s right?
Well, like so many debates, there is truth on each side and it depends a lot on the context.
Today I want to bust some myths, give a few warnings, and share some general do’s and don’ts that will work for any new parent with a dog. Because whilst it is always a good idea to be careful, making things work safely really isn’t the impossible dream some naysayers would have you believe.
Busting Myths
Myth: All dogs are naturally protective of babies.
Reality: Temperament, training, and individual personality play significant roles. Some dogs may be fearful, anxious, or even jealous of a new baby.
Myth: You can leave a baby and a dog alone together unsupervised.
Reality: No matter how trustworthy your dog seems, unsupervised interactions between babies and dogs are never safe. Babies are unpredictable, and even a well-meaning dog could accidentally harm a fragile infant.
Myth: A dog will instinctively know not to be rough with a baby.
Reality: Dogs don’t understand human fragility in the same way adults do. Their play can involve mouthing, pawing, and jumping, which can be dangerous for a baby.
Myth: Once the initial introduction period is over, you don’t need to worry as much.
Reality: Ongoing supervision and management are crucial as the baby grows and becomes more mobile. The dynamics between the child and the dog will continue to evolve.
Myth: If a dog has been around children before, they will be good with a baby.
Reality: Babies are different from older children. Their cries, movements, and smells are unique and can elicit different reactions from a dog.
Myth: Having a baby means you have to rehome your dog.
Reality: While it requires significant adjustments and careful management, many families successfully integrate their dogs into life with a new baby. Proper preparation, training, and supervision are key.
Myth: If a dog licks a baby, it’s a sign of affection.
Reality: While a lick can be a sign of affection, it can also be investigatory or even a sign of stress. It’s important to monitor these interactions and ensure the dog’s saliva doesn’t come into contact with open wounds or the baby’s mouth.
Myth: Once a baby starts crawling or walking, the dog will naturally adjust and be more tolerant.
Reality: As babies become more mobile, they may grab, pull, or climb on the dog, which can be stressful for the animal. Continued supervision and teaching the child how to interact respectfully with the dog are essential.
How To Keep Your Baby AND Your Dog Safe
Let’s not beat around the bush here. Dogs that bite, snap at or even growl at babies get put to sleep. It’s a harsh reality, and one that so painfully often could have been avoided with good management.
DO
- Set up your home before the baby arrives, putting in place baby gates or a dog crate where appropriate
- Reward calm behavior from your dog during introductions with praise and treats.
- Make sure the dog and baby are never unsupervised together
- Supervise all interactions between your baby and your dog, no matter how well you think they get along.
- Separate your baby and dog when you cannot actively supervise them. This includes naps and nighttime. Baby gates and separate rooms are essential.
- Make sure your dog is always able to leave the room that the baby is in
- Have a designated person focus solely on supervising the dog during initial interactions.
- Try to maintain your dog’s routine as much as possible, although some adjustments will be necessary.
- Learn to recognize the subtle signs of stress, fear, or discomfort in your dog (e.g., lip licking, yawning, whale eye, stiff body posture, moving away).
- Immediately separate your baby and dog if you see any signs of stress in your dog.
- Bring in a positive reinforcement based behaviorist to help if you are concerned
DON’T
- Allow your baby the opportunity to grab your dog
- Assume your dog will automatically love or understand the baby.
- Leave your baby and dog alone together at any time, even for a moment.
- Allow your baby to pull, grab, climb on, or otherwise harass the dog.
- Punish your dog for growling or showing signs of discomfort around the baby. This can suppress warnings and increase the risk of biting. Instead, remove the dog from the situation.
- Force interactions between your baby and dog if either seems unwilling.
- Introduce your dog to the baby when either is stressed or tired.
- Allow the baby to be near the dog’s food, water, or toys.
- Ignore changes in your dog’s behavior after the baby arrives. Seek professional help if you notice increased anxiety, aggression, or withdrawal.
- Let well-meaning visitors ignore your rules for baby-dog interactions. Educate them on safe practices.
- Think that “they’ll work it out.” Active management and guidance are essential.
And, before we finish, can I make a special request? I know you’d love a cute photo of your dog and baby napping together. But please, don’t.
(paid link)
If I never see another one of those adorable images again, I’ll be so relieved. The finished product is not worth the staging, set up, distractions to your attention, and the even if tiny, real risk of one picture ruining everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
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Hi Liz!
Such a tough topic. I too miss those long hikes with the pups.
Our dogs were our fur babies before our human baby was born. It was tough when the baby was a newborn but now that he’s older and sturdier, watching their relationship blossom is amazing!! He loves petting the dogs and they let him climb all over them.