Introducing a baby into a household is a significant change that can affect your dog’s behavior. Dogs, like humans, can struggle with adapting to new dynamics and may exhibit various behavioral issues as they adjust. Understanding these changes is the first step in addressing them effectively. Let’s explore some common behavioral issues in dogs around babies and how to address them using relationship-based and balanced training techniques.

 

Issue 1: Jealousy and Attention-Seeking
While dogs don’t feel the emotion of jealousy, they will do their best to maintain previous patterns and routines. When a dogs’ patterns and routines get all out of sorts, dogs will engage in behaviors that display their confusion. Some of these behaviors include urinating indoors, destructive chewing and ingestion, jumping, barking, whining, and reactivity, or avoidance of the family altogether.

Solution:

• Establish Boundaries: Set clear rules about where the dog is expected to be at all times. In a crate, on a bed, in a place, at a threshold or on a leash.
• Energy Drains: Make sure your dog is having their energy needs met. Pent up energy created by stress met with a drop in physical exercise is a recipe for a very out of control dog. Make sure you or your partner have dedicated time to drain energy properly, if needed you’ll need to call in help or explore the option of a structured day care or walking program. You can also consider a dog treadmill.
• Consistency: Establish a new routine that includes not only the baby’s nap time and feeding but also the dogs potty breaks, exercise, and structured activities.. It may not be the same pattern and engagement as before but a routine they can rely on will alleviate stress.

 

Issue 2: Anxiety and Stress-Related Behaviors
The arrival of a baby can cause anxiety and stress in dogs, manifesting as pacing, excessive licking, or accidents in the house.

Solution:

• Calm Environment: Create a calm, quiet place where your dog can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. I recommend a crate. Leaving an anxious dog in an enclosed room gives them opportunities to engage in destruction. A crate is the safest place to be.
• Desensitization and training: Gradually introduce your dog to baby-related sounds and smells before the baby arrives. Setting boundaries to how close the dog is allowed to be to baby items and spaces must happen long before the baby arrives. Introducing the sound of crying and how to behave when that sound happens is integral to success.
• Energy Drains: Make sure your dog is having their energy needs met. Pent up energy created by stress met with a drop in physical exercise is a recipe for a very out of control dog. Make sure you or your partner have dedicated time to drain energy properly, if needed you’ll need to call in help or explore the option of a structured day care or walking program. You can also consider a dog treadmill.

 

Issue 3: Protective Aggression
Some dogs may become overly protective of the baby, displaying aggression towards guests or even family members.

Solution:

• Back to the Basics: Start with the littles moments and remember it is not just teaching sit and stay, it is looking at the dogs behavior as a whole. How do they feel about the doorbell, how do they feel about people approaching the house?
• Leadership: Being a leader does not mean being a tyrant. Leaders provide quality information, they keep the beings they lead to look to them for direction, they provide patience and guidance. Ask yourself if you are showing your dog what to do or joining them in their confusion?
• Boundary Setting: When you have an infant, it is not the best time to address aggression. In the meantime, you’ll need to use a crate or separation. If your dog is being aggressive towards you or another member of the family then you need to bring a professional immediately. Some things are not DIY!

 

Issue 4: Resource Guarding
Dogs may start to guard resources, such as toys, food, or even the baby, leading to aggressive behavior.

Solution:

• Resource Control: Manage and control your dog’s access to resources.
• Bring in a professional: This is no laughing matter and can present clear and present danger to you or your child. Bring in a pro.
• Structured Environment: Maintain a structured environment where your dog understands their role and boundaries while you receive guidance from a professional. You’ll need to utilize crates, exercise, and management until you have a clear path forward.

 

Solutions: Training Techniques and Professional Help
If you feel like you are not able to address these issues on your own for any reason then you need to seek help from a professional. Your dog is a predator with teeth at the end of the day and when they choose to act like an animal instead of a pet, this is a very dangerous and sometimes deadly situation. It’s not something that will get better on it’s own or just go away with time. If you’re reading this article and wondering if you should bring in a professional, my advice is… yes.

 

Conclusion: Importance of Early Intervention
Early intervention is crucial when dealing with behavioral issues in dogs around babies. By understanding the root causes and applying working to create healthy patterns early on, you can save yourself a lot of emotional damage. Working with your dog before the baby arrives will help you create a harmonious environment for both your dog and your baby. Establishing clear boundaries, draining energy, and demonstrating your leadership will help your dog adjust to the new family dynamics, reducing stress for both you and your dog!