Keep puppies and very small children apart or
under close
supervision. Small children do not understand the need for keeping
fingers out of puppies' eyes or refraining from pulling painfully
on their tails, among other problems. Do not leave
small children with puppy unless they are being supervised.
Teach your children how to approach a puppy or dog, to prevent being
jumped on. They should understand that they should put out their hands
below the pup's chin, to keep it from jumping at a hand above its head.
They should not scream or run away, as the puppy will then chase the child
The addition of a new
baby can upset pets in the household. Following the instructions below can
reduce this occurrence. An animal should not be left alone with an infant at any
time. The infant is incapable of pushing the animal away if it cuddles up to
them for love or heat.
Schedule a 5- to 10-minute period daily to attend only to the pet's needs. This
period can occur in one bout or two, and should include petting, grooming, and
playing. Maintain this schedule when the baby comes. This is one way to convey
to your pet that it is still important to you. If you have multiple pets, each
one needs at least 5 minutes of undivided attention daily. If your pets get
along well with each other, you can play and talk to them together.
Before the baby comes, begin adjusting your pet to the new feeding and walking
schedule that will be necessary after the baby is born. It is best not to
subject your pet to too many changes all at once. This is a good time to
evaluate the mechanism you use to walk your dog. If you use a choke collar or a
regular buckle collar and the dog does not behave properly instantly, you can
introduce a head halter (Halti or a Gentle Leader Promise System Canine Head
Collar) or train it to walk on a no-pull harness (Lupi or Sporn harness). The
dog must be under control while on a leash to avoid the potentially dangerous
scenario of struggling with a baby in a backpack or stroller and a dog that is
pulling. It is important to continue to take your dog with you on outings for
protection, company, and exercise. If you can take the dog with you on most
outings, it reduces the chance that your pet will feel displaced in the family
and resort to attention-seeking behavior.
Before the baby arrives, allow the pet to explore the baby's sleeping and diaper
changing areas to become familiar with them. Let the dog or cat sniff, paw, or
nose at the baby powder, lotions, diapers, and baby objects you will be using.
Do not, however, allow the pet to sleep on the baby's furniture.
If the dog or cat drags off a baby item, correct it by telling it "No" and
asking it to relinquish the object. Your dog must respond instantly to your
vocal command to avoid serious management problems after the baby is born. If
your dog can “sit,” “stay,” “take” an object, and "drop it" at your request, it
can be taught to interact appropriately with the baby.
If your pet has toys that look like baby toys, it may think it can play with the
baby's toys. If you are willing to wash the toys, this is okay from a health
standpoint. As the baby gets older, the dog may drag the toys from the baby's
hand and unintentionally injure the infant. The best solution is to provide dog
toys that do not resemble baby toys.
Before the baby is brought home, expose your pet to articles of clothing that
the baby has used. Allow the pet to smell these items and leave them around the
house.
If it is possible, arrange in advance for someone to care for the pet in your
home when you are having the baby. Keeping the pet home decreases its stress
level.
When the baby comes home, another person should hold the baby while you greet
your pet. Your pets have missed you and it is important to pay attention to
them. If you have a dog that jumps, it should be put in another room until
things are calm and you can greet it. A leash may provide more control, but
first you should greet the dog or cat exuberantly. When you are ready to
introduce the pets to the new baby, harnesses and leashes are helpful.
Introductions should only take place when the pet is calm and quiet.
Control and monitor your pet while someone else holds the baby. The pet should
be leashed or restrained and allowed to smell the baby and explore. If the pet
is fearful, talk to it, pet it, and encourage it to smell the infant. Do not
hold the baby in front of the pet. This is potentially dangerous and could cause
the pet to lunge. If you are alone, harness the pet and tie the harness to
solid, stationary piece of furniture. Verbally reward the pet while enforcing
this safe distance.
Remember to be calm at all times. The animal must respond immediately to a
verbal correction to stop licking, growling, or hissing. If not, put it in
another room until it is calm and try the introduction again. Do not reassure
the pets that it is "okay;" aggressive behavior toward the baby is not okay. The
animal must learn that if it wants favorable attention, it must behave favorably
toward the newest addition to the family.
Pets should be restrained or confined in the presence of the infant when there
is only one person at home with the infant. The key is to avoid aggression and
any circumstance in which the pet is unsure of appropriate behavior. An
aggressive dog may lunge at the baby when your guard is lowered.
If the pet does not exhibit untoward behavior, it can be unleashed after 3 weeks
or so; but it still must be closely supervised. Sharing and trading off
attention for the dog and the baby provides a warm, loving environment. A muzzle
does not protect an infant or a young child from crush injuries and fractures
caused by large dogs.
Pets should not sleep in a room with an unattended infant or young child. The
pet may inadvertently smother the child. Use a baby monitor, an intercom, or a
room monitor, and close the door.
Young children should be taught to treat pets gently. A pet that is in pain may
bite in defense. Appropriate pet-child behavior is a wonderful experience