You’ve read all the books about introducing your new baby to the family dog. You’ve played a CD of noises to help Scooter become accustomed to the sounds Isabella would make. You brought home a blanket from the hospital for him to smell before the baby came home. You’ve covered all of your bases . . . so why, mere months later, is Scooter acting so strangely?
Your baby has started to crawl. Scooter didn’t expect that. Isabella’s newfound mobility can upset and confuse Scooter. Now Isabella is investigating areas he once thought were his. And she’s approaching him on her own terms rather than waiting for him to come to her.
If your dog is going to have problems with your baby, the crawling stage is typically where you see the first significant signs. A few questions to consider . . . Does Scooter happily approach you when you are sitting on the couch and holding Isabella? Does he stay just out of arms’ reach or snuggle in close? Does he seem interested in her activity or a bit nervous about it?
More Management
It’s time to pull out those baby gates and put them to use. When Isabella is exploring all the nooks and crannies of the living room, let her do so without Scooter’s supervision. Many dogs are protective of things they consider their own. Scooter’s toys are an obvious example, but Scooter may feel that the corner where his cushioned bed is belongs to him and him alone. He may be uncomfortable with Isabella crawling on it. Until you are certain that Scooter is comfortable with all of Isabella’s explorations, give them each some space in the early stages.
Escape Routes
Many dogs are fine as long as the baby isn’t pursuing them. But week by week, Isabella is picking up speed, and one of her primary interests is likely to be Scooter. This is fine as long as you make sure that Scooter always has a way to get away from her when he’s had enough. Be sure that she cannot pin him into a corner; you never want your dog to choose the “fight” half of the “fight-or-flight” stress response.
Gentle Touching
Isabella is not old enough to truly understand that she needs to be gentle to Scooter (or anyone else for that matter), but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be trying to teach her. If Scooter is happy to sit beside you and Isabella, take her hand and gently stroke his fur. Be careful to avoid his eyes and ears. It’s usually best for children to pet dogs on their sides and backs.
Also, no matter how conscientious you are, little children are prone to having sticky fingers. It’s quite easy for Isabella to accidentally pull Scooter’s fur because her hands naturally grasp and the stickiness can trap some of his fur.