The Common-sense Dog

By STEPHANIE VICHINSKY

The Common-sense Dog

As humans, we often bring a dog into our lives to start our family, and we give a great deal of time and attention to this new dog. We get into our routines, the family dynamic is set, and we have a dog that is loving life. The question today is, what happens to our loving and loyal companion when we bring a human child into this family dynamic?

Because dogs are routine animals, they struggle with change, and the addition of a new baby in the home is a huge change for all involved. It is stressful and exciting all at the same time. Decorating, preparing, and stocking the baby room. Guests and family coming in and out to help. Trips to the doctor’s office and maybe even time in the hospital. All of these changes can be hard for our dogs to understand. The best way to combat stress in our furry friends, while we prepare for a new baby to join the family, is to acclimate the dog to the changes in a slow and controlled way.

Step 1: Start by teaching your dog the “place” command (go to your bed and stay there until released.) This is going to give you some stability when you eventually have to focus on a hundred things at once. A dog that can hold place command not only feels safer and less stressed, but also gives you a break from worrying about its whereabouts.

Step 2: Use place command to acclimate the dog to baby sounds. Use videos or sound clips of baby cries, laughs, screeches, etc. so the dog can get accustomed. If you notice your dog getting heightened by these sounds, practice often until they become commonplace. The dog should not leave its bed during these exercises. If it does, simply walk it back over to its bed until it can remain calm.

Step 3: Use the place command to acclimate the dog to baby toys. Have your dog lie on its bed calmly while you play with baby toys nearby. Animate the toys. Toss the toys. And if the toys make noise, make those noises often so the dog gets used to the sounds while remaining calm on place. I also suggest animating a pretend baby doll during this time to see if there are any movements that stress your dog. This should help you address things before the real baby arrives.

Step 4: Walk your dog with various baby items that move, such as a stroller. Dogs get into a routine on the walk, and a simple addition like a stroller can be very stressful.

Step 5: Use place command to accustom your dog to guests and family coming and going. Invite a friend or family member over and practice ringing the doorbell, knocking, and coming in and out several times in succession. Do this often. We want the dog to see this as commonplace as well.

Step 6: Teach your dog to respect your space while you have the baby in your arms. Put a leash on your dog and let it drag it through the house (cut the loop off of the end of the leash and never leave a leashed dog unattended), place a doll in your arms, and walk around the house as if the new baby had arrived. Every time the dog pushes into your space while you are standing or sitting, use the leash to move the dog away from you. Do this as many times as necessary for the dog to understand that the baby requires space. When the baby arrives, repeat this same drill for the first few weeks until the dog respects the baby’s space, whether the baby is in your arms, a crib, or doing tummy time.

Bringing home a new baby is one of the most exciting and stressful times for a family. By adding these simple steps, you can make the transition easier, safer, and more successful.

Happy training!

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Stephanie Vichinsky is the owner/head trainer of Method K9 in Post Falls.