Goldens & Their Hooman's Pregnancy Part 3
Volume 32: How to Introduce Your Golden to Their New Sibling
Now that you’ve prepared your home and golden for your new baby, its time to introduce them to each other! So what is the best way for your hooman baby to meet your furbaby? Below we will discuss tips on how to safely introduce your new arrival to your golden!
Start by putting the baby’s scent on an item (blanket, onesie, etc.) and have someone take this item from the hospital/birthing center to your dog to smell before you bring your baby home (Tigar, 2021). This should be done the day before or the morning of your arrival home (Tigar, 2021).
Upon arriving home, have everyone else go inside and greet your dog so they expend some of their excitement and energy before you come in with the baby (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Once your pup is calm, have someone put them on their leash and 6 feet away from the baby (Tigar, 2021). Then you can greet them with a soft positive voice just as you always do (Tigar, 2021). Make sure you stay calm and relaxed when you enter the house so your dog mirrors that same demeaner (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Then allow your golden to view the baby and reward them with praise and treats if they react positively (Tigar, 2021). You can then slowly and cautiously let your dog approach the baby to greet them (Tigar, 2021). When it is calm and quiet, you can sit down with the baby in your arms (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). In a calm and happy voice, invite your golden to come to you to greet their new hooman best friend (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Allow your dog to sniff the baby and praise her for being gentle (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). As you and your dog get more comfortable with your new family member, you can gradually let your dog have brief interactions with the baby (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Everytime your pup is gentle with the baby, praise them and reward them with treats (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Then instruct your dog to sit or lie down to give them a break. If you notice they need a distraction because they get overwhelmed, provide them with a new bone or puzzle toy (Dogs and Babies, n.d.).
As things start to settle down with having your baby home, make sure you continue to reward your dog with lots of attention and treats when your baby is awake and around so they associate the baby with positive experiences (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Try to involve your golden whenever you do anything with your baby (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). If you go for a walk, take the baby too (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). When you change the baby’s diaper, talk to your baby and furbaby. This will help your dog feel included and comfortable with your baby.
When you start feeding your baby, have someone give your dog a handful of high valued treats like chicken when they are calm (Parents Editors, 2023). This will create a positive experience for your dog when you are feeding your baby. If your pup starts to act out from all the changes, redirect their behavior to something appropriate like a new toy instead of scolding them. Make sure your dog gets daily exercise to ensure they also have some quality time with you, burn off some pent up energy, and limit any behaviors from arising.
If your dog is nervous around the baby and even goes out of their way to avoid them, you can teach your pup how to touch the baby with their nose on cue while providing them with a treat (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Teaching your golden to nose the baby will provide them with a safe way to get used to the baby without being forced to be too close to them for an extended period of time (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). Never force your golden to interact with the baby (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). They must take the initiative to approach them on their own.
Some other tips to ensure this time goes smoothly are:
Use baby gates to designate areas that are off limits to your pup
Make sure your golden has plenty of chew toys to occupy them and so they don’t feel the urge to chew on your baby’s toys
Keep your pooch’s food and water bowls out of reach of your little one. This will prevent messes, drowning and choking risks, as well as food aggression incidents.
If baby sounds cause your goldie distress, give them a treat right after. This will help your dog associate your baby’s cries with a positive event instead of a negative one (Dogs and Babies, n.d.).
Show your baby how to gently pet your dog instead of petting too rough and pulling on them. This will help prevent your pup from getting irritated with them.
You can also create some safe zones for your dog to retreat to when they need some time apart (Dogs and Babies, n.d.)
If your dog is elderly, has chronic pain, or sensory deficits such as deafness or blindness, try to take steps to prevent problems from arising (Dogs and Babies, n.d.). You need to also make sure they stay separated when the baby starts to crawl to avoid any mishaps (Dogs and Babies, n.d.).
Above all else, NEVER leave your baby alone with your dog no matter how much you trust them. You never know what could happen at the blink of an eye. Your baby could suddenly behave in a way that causes your pup to react negatively towards them (Parents Editors, 2023). Your dog could become aggressive when guarding their food or toys or they may view your baby as a squeaky toy instead of a human (Dogs and Babies, n.d.).
The Golden Pupper’s resident goldens, Molly & Bentley, were recently introduced to their new hooman sister. This is how it went!
We hope these tips help you safely introduce your new bundle of joy to your golden furbaby. If this info helped you or you have other tips that we did not mention, be sure to comment them below!
References
Tigar, L. (2021, October 28). How to introduce your dog to a baby. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-owner-relationship/family-changes/how-to-introduce-dog-baby
Dogs and babies. (n.d.). ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dogs-and-babies
Parents Editors. (2023, September 14). How to Introduce Dogs and Babies. Parents. https://www.parents.com/parenting/pets/babies/how-to-introduce-dogs-and-babies/