Essential safety advice for dogs and babies: 6 key tips

Welcoming a new baby to your family brings joy and excitement, but having a dog at home means preparation and vigilance are essential for safety. Dogs often form strong bonds with the youngest family members, sometimes even becoming protective. However, it's important to approach dog and baby introductions thoughtfully to keep everyone safe.

1. Conditioning Your Dog Before Baby’s Arrival

Your dog's first encounter with a baby shouldn’t be the day you bring your newborn home. Instead, gradually prepare your dog for the changes ahead.

1. Introduce baby sounds in a controlled way, such as playing recordings of crying, rewarding calm behaviour with praise and treats.
2. Familiarise your dog with baby items like the crib, pushchair, bedding, and clothes. These items often have new, unfamiliar scents that can unsettle dogs.
3. Expose your dog to the baby’s scent by bringing home a blanket or clothing before the baby’s arrival. Since the baby will smell like their parents, this can ease acceptance.
4. Work on obedience training to ensure your dog responds reliably to commands like "sit," "stay," and "leave it," which will be crucial once the baby is home.

For more detailed advice about introducing your dog to your new baby, visit here.

2. Managing Day-to-Day Life with a Dog and Baby

The arrival of a baby disrupts the household routine, and your dog may feel unsettled or jealous. To help your dog adjust:

• Maintain your dog’s daily routine for feeding, walks, and playtime to provide stability.
• Ensure your dog receives enough attention and affection to reduce feelings of neglect.
• Watch for signs of jealousy or stress, such as whining, barking, or destructive behaviour, and address these early.
• If you ever doubt your dog’s reliability around the baby, do not leave them unsupervised together and seek professional advice promptly.

3. Safety When Your Baby Becomes Mobile

As your baby starts crawling, standing, and walking, the dynamic changes dramatically. Your baby can now approach your dog independently, which means ongoing management is vital:

1. Never leave your dog and baby alone together, even if your dog is well-behaved and calm. Experts unanimously recommend constant supervision.
2. Physically separate the baby and dog when you cannot watch them, using baby gates or playpens.
3. Be cautious with baby equipment like swings and play mats; avoid leaving your baby unattended with a dog nearby as the dog could unintentionally cause harm.
4. Reassess safety measures regularly as your child grows and their ability to move increases.

4. Understand Unexpected Risks

While serious attacks are thankfully very rare, other risks can be less obvious but still concerning:

• Dogs jumping up on a cot or pram may accidentally topple it, risking injury to the baby.
• Excessive licking from dogs may irritate the baby's skin or introduce germs.
• Dogs taking or chewing baby toys can pose choking or hygiene hazards.

Being aware of such risks helps you stay vigilant without unnecessary anxiety.

5. Positive Training and Boundaries

Training your dog before and after your baby’s arrival sets a foundation for peaceful coexistence:

• Teach your dog to respect boundaries, such as staying out of the nursery if that is your plan.
• Use only positive reinforcement techniques to build calm, confident behaviour.
• Continue regular obedience training and provide plenty of mental stimulation and exercise to reduce stress and prevent behavioural problems.

6. When to Seek Professional Help

If you notice any worrying behaviour from your dog, such as aggression, anxiety, or unwillingness to follow commands, seek help immediately from a qualified dog trainer or behaviourist. Early intervention is key to preventing incidents and maintaining a safe environment for your baby and dog alike.

By thoughtfully preparing your dog, managing daily interactions with care, and maintaining supervision and boundaries, you can foster a loving, safe relationship between your dog and your baby. Your family’s harmony and your peace of mind will benefit greatly.