"My dog was my baby and got all my attention earlier I gave birth. Since I've brought my daughter dwelling house, Scooter's been interim out — eating her pacifiers, chewing up bottles and diapers, and basically behaving like a jealous sib. What can I exercise?"

It's non unusual for a at-home, cuddly canine to act a scrap beastly when a 2-legged sibling takes over his turf. And who can blame him? Your canis familiaris used to be the big cheese! Merely trying to find time to shower your pup with love can be tough when you've barely got time to shower yourself.

Try not to be mad at your mutt. His misbehavior is his misguided manner of getting your attention — in his eyes even a scolding is better than a cold shoulder. Rather than banishing him to the doghouse, now's the fourth dimension to ship him some clear signals about how you expect him to act — earlier the rivalry turns serious. Here are some tactics to try:

  • Help your pup take your baby. Your pet may not simply be feeling displaced but also overwhelmed past all the new noises and smells in the house. To assistance your domestic dog and baby coexist, give him a treat when the baby cries, squeals or coos and then he'll acquaintance those baby sounds with something positive. And instead of making all things babe off-limits, let your furry companion take a whiff of your little one's feet, dress and diapers equally you hold each 1 to his nose. Dogs learn a lot almost their world through smell, so getting your pooch familiar with your infant's scent (the sweet and the stinky) — and even giving him a care for every bit he sniffs calmly — may make him less likely to rummage through (and rip up) your baby's gear.
  • Work off that energy. No doubt, taking care of your babe's needs has risen to the top of your to-do list while the needs of your previously pampered pet take practically fallen off altogether. Just you can tend to both at the aforementioned time through exercise, which is a swell style to burn off steam for both ii-legged and four-legged family members. Plus, a walk volition probable channel your woofer's pent-up energy into something more constructive. Then bring your canis familiaris along when you head out with the infant. If that's non possible, enlist your partner, a friend or a dog walker to take him out for a stroll or some backyard playtime. Call back, a tired-out dog is a usually a improve-behaved one.
  • Catch your dog existence expert. Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward getting the behavior yous want (a skillful affair to recall when your sweet baby turns into a sassy tot), so advantage your dog for being obedient and calm when he'south around your daughter. For instance, if he's relaxing on the floor, toss him a treat then he learns which behaviors get him the attending and praise he craves.
  • Simultaneously bail with your dog and baby. Y'all desire your pup to realize that good things tin happen when the baby is effectually. Put those new-mama multitasking skills to the test by petting your domestic dog while you lot feed your petty ane or tossing a ball while you cuddle with your ii-legged cutie. If your baby needs your total-on attending, give the dog a new chew toy to play with while you're busy. Or put the dog bed about your baby's changing table or bouncer with a care for or toy. If baby time equals fun-fourth dimension (or y'all-time) for your domestic dog, chances are he'll be less hyper.
  • Practice pet-prophylactic rules. No thing how well these strategies might work or how famously your piddling one and family pet seem to be getting on, never leave your baby (and, later, your toddler) solitary in a room with your dog (or any animal). And if your domestic dog continues to act out, sign him up for an obedience class or get assist from a trainer. The more you lot assist your canis familiaris and baby interact, the safer and calmer your habitation will be.

Here'south to a paw-sitively happy hound and babe!

Heidi Murkoff