Introducing your new baby to the family dog can be a stressful time for both your family and your dog. There are many important steps with socializing your dog before and after you bring your new baby home. Doggone Safe offers some excellent tips to help acclimate your dog to this big change.

First, begin preparing your dog for your baby’s arrival by following these tips:

• Brush up on obedience training and make sure your dog is obedient to all necessary commands and cues, especially “no” and “off”.
• Teach your dog that they cannot always have your attention and ignore all attention seeking behavior.
• Allow your dog to spend time around young children and also see you with other children.
• Introduce your dog to your new baby’s crib and toys.
• Play baby noises on your computer to allow your dog to adjust to the noise, especially high-pitch sounds.
• Visit your veterinarian to make sure all shots are up-to-date.

Once you bring your new baby home, follow these additional tips:

• Never leave your new baby alone with your dog even for a short period of time.
• Remember that dogs can easily become upset. A baby will not pick up on these cues and could easily be hurt after a dog warns to back off.
• Hold your baby if your dog is in the room. Never allow your baby and dog to both be on the floor.
• Spend time alone with your dog and provide adequate exercise. This can help prevent your dog from feeling jealous.
• Do not scold your dog in front of your baby, this could cause your dog to associate the new baby with punishment.

Preventing aggressive behavior in dogs is especially essential when it comes to co-living with a baby. Family Paws Parent Education has a blog specifically about promoting safety for families who have dogs. If you have questions about keeping your new baby safe, Family Paws Parent Education offers a toll-free dog and baby support hotline at 1-877-247-3407.