Introducing puppy to baby?

[ACW]

Hello All, So my husband and I are planning on starting our family pretty soon. When have a Yorkie right now he's 8 months old right now. I'm wondering what is the best way to introduce our new baby to our Yokie. Our Yorkie has been around young children before and has always done really well. One little girl stuck her hand in his mouth and pulled on his face and he was fine lol. I just want to make sure that nothing will happen to the baby.... Any suggestions?

 

[That's Life.]

There's an amazing book that I just read that saved our lives! We have three dogs, and the book is called "And baby makes four: a Trimester to Trimester guide to a baby friendly dog." I checked it out of our library, but its only like ten bucks and a really fast, easy read. It discusses everything you need to know about how to train your dog to accept babies from before you are pregnant until after you bring baby home.

I read a lot of stuff online while I was pregnant, but this book still taught me stuff that I had never heard about! For example, dogs always come to us for attention and petting. So if you stop giving attention when the dog walks up to you now, and just give attention when you call the dog then the dog won't associate the baby with less attention. Since when you have a baby, if they cry or you are feeding them--there isn't always a hand free to pet the dog.

The book also gives great tips about including the dog in your baby room which was pretty cool. I'd highly suggest picking it up. It goes through a lot of unique training things that are helpful with a baby too. Good luck to you, and way smart to think ahead! Some of my friends didn't and now they just bring the baby home with a baby blanket ahead of time and it didn't go so good. There's a lot more than just the day you bring baby home to think about!

Edit: I also disagree with not letting the dog be in/around the babies room. You want the dog to consider the baby as part of the pack, and if the dog is excluded every time you are around the baby then that isn't going to happen. I think a better suggestion is to keep a dog bed in the baby's room and teach the dog to "down-stay" in the dog bed when he enters the baby room. That way the dog is involved. Also, I've read giving the dog a treat when you change baby's diaper is a good way for them to treat baby "cries" as positive and not get upset about it.


http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Makes-Four-Trimester-Trimester/dp/0793805678

 

[Mutt for the Truth]

There will likely be a change in routine - such as walking at different times, feeding at different times, etc - and if you can predict anything, change it before the baby arrives so it isn't an added stress on the dog then.

I would also start implementing any new rules - such as no jumping, keeping a good distance away, what rooms can be explored or not, if the dog can go on the couch (not recommended with a baby), etc. STICK to them. In your home or any other home the dog is allowed.

Any new item - furniture, some of the clothing, diapers, toys - needs to be examined by the dog. Let the dog get used to items prior to baby's arrival - things like the bouncy seats and high chairs can be quite scary to a little dog. Give the dog time to examine EVERYTHING, both turned off and turned on.

Start working on obedience. The dog should learn that he is NOT allowed in the baby's room - a low set baby gate will block him nicely and still allow you to easily step over. The dog should learn "leave it", "drop it", and so forth so he doesn't go after the baby's toys OR any dropped food.

Start handling the dog differently. Start slowly by just tugging lightly on body parts and fur. Be a little rougher to get the dog used to it. It's also a good way or learning the dog's limits without endangering the baby or any other child.

When the baby arrives you do NOT want the dog right in it's face. For the first week i would keep the baby OUT of the dog's reach. No confrontations. Let the puppy get used to the new sounds and smells. Let the dog sniff diapers, clothing, etc. At the end of the first week let the dog sniff a foot or hand, at the end of the third week let the dog sniff a leg or bum.

NEVER let the dog near the baby's face. EVER. Not only is it not sanitary but it's asking for trouble if the dog does get spooked.

http://www.petfriendlyhouse.com/information/Children_Pets/introducing_baby_to_dog.aspx

As the child gets older, you will have to switch focus to training the CHILD as well. Write out any rules that you will be enforcing: such as no pushing the dog, no grabbing the dog, etc. The dog can have rules too, but a lot of dog behavior is tied to the child's behavior.

You should NOT allow anyone to stick their hand in the dog's mouth. Or pull on the dog's face - that's just asking for trouble. The dog may tolerate it now, or once, but may not in the future.

 

[KKingS]

The main thing is just to never leave the two alone unattended.

I had my husband bring home a hat my baby wore in the hospital so the dogs could get a sniff. When we brought baby home, we didn't introduce the dogs right away...they had a chance to hear the crying and other noises first. When we did introduce, I had the dogs in a down/stay and allowed them to sniff the baby while he was in my arms. Then really after that...the dogs just lost interest. Every now and then they will look at him or want to lick a foot, but most of the time they ignore the baby. But again, I never leave my baby where the dogs can get to him unless I'm in the room watching (like in his swing, etc.) When he is on the floor on his play mat, I just put the dogs behind a baby gate since I don't want any big, clumsy dog accidents to happen. And as my baby gets older, I'll make sure to start teaching him that we don't pull dogs' tails, ears, etc.

 

[Jessi]

So you're not expecting...nor do you already have a child??

Just because puppy is great around someone else's child doesn't mean puppy will be great around another.

Our dog acts different around every child he has ever met...

 

[Tiana]

hold the dog and bsby at the some time and let the dog sniff the baby if dog barks move dog slitly a way

 

[sonie607]

After your baby is born, but while he or she is still in the hospital, send home some items carrying his or her smells, including blankets or clothing. It's also a good idea to record your baby's noises and cries, letting someone play them for your dog to see his reaction and to acclimate him to the unfamiliar sounds. Dogs typically will show some interest but little agitation. If your dog seems particularly upset by your baby's sounds, ask your veterinarian for further information about safety issues.

Finally, when your baby comes home, be prepared with a collar and leash so that your dog can easily be controlled. A leash is preferable to continuous reprimands as your dog jumps up, excited to see his "mom" again. Another adult can hold your baby while mom and dog greet each other.

 

[Carrie K]

I read a ton of books to find the best way of introducing a new baby to our dogs. The best solution was to have whom ever the dogs are closest to do the introductions. So if you are the dogs "master" have your husband go in to the house first and greet him. Have him do the normal routine and when he is settled down come in with the baby. Go to a neutral area, like the living room, and bring the baby out and show him/her to the dog. Let him smell the baby and tell him about the baby. Then make sure you give the baby to daddy and give your dog lots of love so he knows that you still love him.

 

[hallowtim]

When you introduce the baby to your dog, say 'This is your brother or sister. They are family, please look out for them'.

Call me crazy, but dogs listen. They know!

 

[Lord Crimble]

Leave them in a room alone together and charge people to watch

 

[Greek God AKA Greekman]

Always make sure that your baby does not stick his/her hand in the dog's mouth, ALWAYS make sure that the baby is NEVER left alone with the dog, EVER and always make sure that the dog understands, without a single little hint of a doubt that the baby belongs to you.
Train the dog in obedience so that he understands his place in your pack and do not make a bid deal of the introductions, make it as smooth as possible. Let the baby and dog interact, under your direct supervision, any behavior other then stellar towards the child should NEVER be accepted.
Other then that, life as usual in the house...the less of a big deal you make it, the better off it will be. Hope I helped!

 

[ctopher]

if hes fine with younger kids than you have nothing to worry about but if you have a problem hold your dog up to your baby and if he goes to bite yank his coller

 

[Julie loves Hoochieboy!]

Enforce any new rules you will have to make (like you may no longer allow him up on the sofa, for example) BEFORE the baby actually arrives a) so you won't have to deal with training him and having a baby at the same time and b) so he doesn't associate it with baby and therefore feel resentment towards it.

Always try and spend some time with the dog alone, even when you do have a family. He'll likely feel pretty confused and frustrated that he is not number one in your lives anymore, but it will help if you do have a little 1-2-1 time together if you can.

Add: NEVER leave a dog alone with a baby. Ever. That goes without saying really. A yorkie is only little but I've been chihuahua bites on an grown adult that have needed stitiches. With that in mind, imagine what a dog - ANY dog - could do to a baby. Even if the dog has never showned any signs of aggression, it's just not worth the risk.

Let the dog sniff articles of clothing the baby has been wearing before they meet to get used to the smell.