Crawling Babies and Dogs
 Your baby’s first attempts at crawling
and walking are no doubt some of the most exciting and joyful moments. But
that joy can quickly turn to fear when your dog unexpectedly turns
and growls at your baby.
It is likely that your dog has not adjusted
to the new arrival. However, newborns are not mobile. Once
your baby begins to move around, your dog may feel more than uncomfortable. Crawling
can be the trigger that pushes your dog to display their discomfort. Up
until now, if your dog did not want to be around the baby, they could
leave. Now that your baby is mobile, the ability to flee is reduced. If
a dog is unable to flee, he or she may resort to fighting.
There are also breeds that are known for being
mouthy. Many herding breeds nip at faces. This is an entirely
different problem, but also needs intervention. These breeds
often herd children, a trait that has been bred into the dog over many
years. Breeds that are active working dogs, often need a job
to do.
Crawling may also expose resource-guarding issues
in many dogs. Dogs are naturally prone to guarding their toys,
bones, and food. They may also guard furniture and people. A
crawling child may inadvertently get too close to a coveted object,
and a bite may result.
Take any signs of discomfort seriously. Many
owners see the first bite as coming suddenly, or without warning. When
questioning dog owners, you often find is a dog that has been avoiding
the newborn, or the dog has been taking their toys and bones into hiding. Look
for subtle signs that your dog is not comfortable. Take any overt
signs seriously and act immediately by obtaining professional guidance.
Think ahead. Even if your dog loves to
be hugged by your toddler, you may want to discourage hugging. Children
at this age will attempt to hug all dogs, and other dogs may not be
as welcoming.
Watch your mobile toddler carefully. Children
will often pull on a dog’s ears or tail. Some will even
go through biting stages. Intervene when necessary. Most
dogs will not put up with pain.
Things dog owners should do now:
Supervise, supervise, supervise. All dogs
have the potential to bite, and this is a critical stage when it comes
to babies and dogs. This is a common time for families to see
problems develop.
Bite Prevention exercises are by far the most
effective way of reducing the chances of a dog bite. Programs
are available from many trainers, and are a valuable source of information. Look
for programs that are dog friendly, and based in positive reinforcement. Dog
training has come a long way in the last decade.
Give your dog a job. A dog that works
their mind and their body is easier to handle, and more relaxed. Find
something that you and your dog can enjoy doing with your baby/toddler. Many
dogs enjoy retrieving dropped objects – a game similar to fetch. Other
dogs seem to enjoy learning new tricks that are bound to amuse your
growing baby.
Dog parks are great, but not for your baby. Get
someone to look after your baby if you go to an off leash park. Although
most dogs are friendly at these types of parks, there are some that
are not. Avoid the chance that something might happen.
If you are thinking of returning to work after
a maternity leave, take time to do some separation anxiety prevention
exercises before going back to work. This is a common time for
the disorder to develop in the best of dogs, and it is often common
to good owners.
Keep both your baby and your dog safe. Children’s
toys may not be safe for your dog and dog toys may not be safe for
your child. You’ll likely need to pay attention to both
for a while. You also need to keep an eye on your dog’s
water dish at this stage. Big water dishes can be a danger.
Have fun. Dogs and kids can get along
well, with supervision and a little work. If in doubt, get a
professional in to help you proceed in the right direction.>
Article supplied by: Meeting
Milo @ http://www.meetingmilo.com
Other information about Children, Families and Relationships can be found at:
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