Dogs are territorial creatures.  After a dog has lived in a home for a short amount of time, he begins to consider it his territory.   Bringing home a new baby can therefore be very stressful for your dog, and some careful planning and consideration on the part of the owner well before the new baby comes home can help ensure a safe, happy and loving transition for everyone, both human and canine. 

1. Dogs can get jealous of the time spent with a newborn, especially if they are used to receiving all of the adult attention in the home.  Much like the adjustment period an older child needs when welcoming a new sibling, dogs also need some time to adapt to the new situation.   A newborn requires lots of time and attention, it may be wise to make sure a partner or family member can provide some extra attention for the dog during the first few weeks.   The dog also must learn how to behave around the baby, and to behave in certain ways when the baby is being tended.

You can prepare your dog for the times when you will be too busy to interact with him by scheduling a few hours a day to “ignore” him before the baby is born.  During this time, don’t acknowledge the pup’s attempts to get your attention.  Don’t make eye contact or speak to the dog.  At first this may increase the dog’s efforts to get your attention, but soon he should recognize the times when he cannot bother you.

2. Baby items such as toys and clothing may be irresistible to a dog.   A toy is a toy in a dog’s eyes, he may not be able to distinguish between his rawhide bone and the baby’s stuffed teddy bear.  Teach the dog which toys are okay and which toys are not by rewarding him for playing with his own toys and redirecting him when he attempts to play with the baby’s toys.

Another trick to help a dog distinguish between his toys and those belonging to the baby is to mark the baby’s toys with a dab of mouthwash.   Dogs are repelled by the scent of mint and will avoid it whenever possible.   Continuing to positively reinforce the dog when he chooses to play with his own toys will make the process go smoothly and keep the baby’s toys safe and doggie slobber free.   If the dog does get a hold of a baby toy, wash and inspect it carefully to remove all germs and ensure the dog didn’t loosen and parts or damage the toy.

3. Babies bring a range of new smells and sounds into the home with them, it’s important to help the dog get used to these new distractions.   A baby’s cry may startle a dog, while a dog’s bark may equally startle a baby. 

Babies and dogs can live together with patience.