Introducing baby and dog

Hey mama, now your little one is on the way, I am sure you have thought about how you're going to introduce them to your dog. Will they like each other? Is it safe? A dog really is man's (and mamas) best friend and will be your baby's new bestie over time too.

Here are 5 tips to follow when introducing your baby and dog:

• Smell
• See
• Listen
• Touch
• Taste 

Dogs love to sniff

You can start introducing your dog to your baby’s scent before they meet for the first time. Let a loved one take home one of your newborns blankets or items of clothing from the hospital that they have worn while you're recovering, so your dog can give it a good sniff and get used to the scent of your little one for a few hours. 

Go say hi

You haven't seen your furry friend while you were in hospital. Make sure you and your loved ones take turns to go in and out of your house (without the baby) to greet your dog because they will be very happy to see you and need some attention. They missed you while you were gone and need to know they are still important. You could even take them for a good walk to burn off some energy. 

New sounds make them curious 

Dogs love to investigate, let them listen to your newborn’s noises so they can get used to this new little being and the transition of a new house mate. Give your dog a treat when they react calmly to your newborns cries to promote good responses. 

Physical touch strengthens connection

When you feel ready, it's important to let your dog get close to your newborn (with your supervision). Always let your dog make the first move to come over and inspect them. This could be sitting down while holding your baby and allowing your dog to come over in their own time, letting them paw or sniff your little ones toes. If your dog gets too excited, it's ok to get up and walk away and try again later. 

No lick zone

Never let your dog lick your baby, but what you can let them lick is a tasty treat! Every time your dog behaves well, is calm and slow around your baby, you can reward them with a treat to reinforce their positive behaviors. 

Please note: never leave your dog and baby alone together no matter how strong you think their bond is.

Remember, our four legged friends are smarter than we sometimes think and can read your body language, so be confident however you decide to introduce your 2 little loves. Every dog is different, some get used to this change a lot quicker than others. Always seek professional help if you have any concerns over introducing your dog to your baby. You know your dog and baby more than anyone else and what works for you. 

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