If you are reading this, you either recently brought a new family member home or will shortly be welcoming one. Congratulations on having a new member of your family!
Being a new parent provides many new experiences, even though it’s an exciting moment. Introducing your dog to your infant is part of this. Planning, patience, and time are needed for baby-dog introductions rather than jumping in headfirst. Your dog may become stressed out by the changes that come with birth because they are unable to ask questions. This blog talks about how your infant should be introduced to your dog through useful guidance from residential dog-sitting services in Lakewood, CO.
Introducing Your Dog to Child: Guidelines by Residential Dog Sitting Services in Lakewood, CO
1. Build New Routines
Your dog has developed routines for playtime, bedtime, meal times, potty breaks, and early morning walks. So, your dog could become bewildered if the arrival of a new baby abruptly disrupts all of these rituals. So, it is better to start introducing new routines several months before your due date so they have time to adjust.
Additionally, be aware that you must give your dog less care when you have a new baby. Although it’s tempting to spoil your dog with affection just before the baby arrives to make up for this, your dog will suffer more from this. “I got all this attention until the baby showed up,” they might be thinking. They could associate this lack of attention with the baby, which wouldn’t be good for anyone.
2. Let the Dog Explore Its Surroundings
There are new sounds, sights, and smells with a newborn. Give your dog some time to adjust to unfamiliar objects like strollers and baby toys as you start to assemble your baby nest. Diapers, car seats, strollers, and high chairs are all unfamiliar objects that can make your dog nervous. Now, encourage him to sniff everything from a safe distance so he can get acquainted with them all.
Experts at residential dog-sitting services in Lakewood, CO, recommend introducing your dog to the noises made by your noisy baby toys. The baby’s aroma is the most crucial thing for the dog to become acquainted with. Remember, the most important thing is to provide your dog with lots of positive reinforcement as they learn and explore at their own speed!
3. Set Boundaries for Your Dog & Baby
It’s a good idea to keep the nursery off-limits at first, whether you feel you have to. Establish a rule that the nursery must be dog-free a few months before the baby is due. It’s ideal if your dog is sufficiently trained to know not to enter a room without your permission.
The time to think about changing house rules is a few months before your new baby is born. So, does the dog still belong on the furniture or the bed? Establish any new guidelines now, and begin training your dog to abide by them.
4. Introduce Your Dog and Newborn Gradually
Say hello to the dog as usual when you get home from the hospital. While the other parent gets inside and welcomes the dog, the infant should remain in the car with one parent. After that, go back and observe the infant while the other person welcomes the dog.
As per residential dog-sitting services in Lakewood, CO, you must keep your dog on a leash when your baby and pet make the first contact.
Additional Tips
Allow the dog to view from a distance and sniff the baby. To help the dog understand appropriate boundaries with the newborn, let them get closer every day. Then, talk to your dog in a caring tone, praise excellent conduct, and let the dog smell the baby’s feet as you allow them to get closer. However, make sure to avoid making face-to-face contact, and slowly work up to this.
5. Give Your Dog Attention
It’s easy to get busy in the activities of diaper changes, feedings, and fleeting periods of sleep. But don’t allow this to prevent you from loving your dog. But even with a new infant, you cannot overlook the daily exercise, fun, and attention your dog requires. Maintaining your dog’s routine and showing them affection will help them feel safe in your home.
It’s important to give the dog affection when your baby is awake, not when they’re asleep. They will notice if the dog only receives attention while the baby is not present. They may feel that the baby is taking attention away from her, which could lead to uncertainty or anger.
6. Teach Your Baby to Respect the Dog
Respect is mutually beneficial. Thus, remember to instill a sense of respect for the dog in your infant as well as for the dog itself.
It’s important to socialize your infant with your dogs in the same way that you would with other children, family members, and strangers. When your infant gets older, don’t let the baby jump on your dog or follow it into its crate. Also, don’t let your newborn yank on its tail or ears.
Professionals at residential dog-sitting services in Lakewood, CO, urge that it is your responsibility to end the play session with your infant if your dog exhibits signs of stress, such as panting, lip-licking, or turning away.
To Wrap Up
Slow and steady wins the race when a newborn and your dog are introduced! Since neither can express their emotions, patience and understanding are essential. However, professionals at residential dog-sitting services in Lakewood, CO, suggest never leaving your dog alone with a newborn, no matter how friendly they are.
When the infant is present, interact with your dog to prevent them from feeling pushed aside. To prevent your dog from misbehaving, attract attention, and help them form a positive bond with your new arrival, it’s important to ensure they still feel valued.