Strategies for preventing canine envy towards your newborn infant
When welcoming a new baby into your home, it's not just the human family members who need to adjust. Your German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) may also experience feelings of jealousy or anxiety, leading to changes in behaviour such as leaving the room when the baby is present or overgrooming.
To help your GSP adapt to the new arrival and minimise these issues, focus on gradual desensitisation, positive associations, and maintaining routines.
Introduce baby-related stimuli early
Before the baby arrives, let your GSP get familiar with baby sounds (recordings of crying, cooing), baby smells (lotions, powders), and baby items like strollers or toys. Use treats and praise to create positive associations with these new experiences.
Maintain exercise and attention
GSPs are energetic and social dogs. Keep up with regular exercise and training to reduce anxiety and prevent boredom, which can worsen jealous behaviours.
Practice calm exposure
If possible, have the dog spend time near the nursery or baby’s space under supervision, rewarding calm behaviour to help the dog adjust to the new environment.
Set boundaries and routines
Establish clear rules for the dog (e.g., no jumping on the baby or furniture in the nursery) and keep feeding, walking, and playtime routines consistent to provide stability.
Gradual introduction to the baby
When the baby comes home, introduce the dog calmly and on-leash, allowing sniffing and gentle interaction under close supervision, rewarding calm behaviour.
Use training and positive reinforcement
Teach commands such as "sit," "stay," and "leave it," which help control the dog around the baby and avoid jealous reactions.
Maintain their routine
Keeping breakfast, dinner, and walk times the same for the dog can help reduce anxiety and maintain a sense of normalcy.
Pay attention to what your dog is telling you
Observing the dog's behaviour is important for identifying any potential issues, such as destructive behaviour or avoidance of the baby, which may indicate a need for more exercise or attention.
Keep up with their training
Regular training sessions provide one-on-one time with the dog, preventing feelings of jealousy towards the baby and making the dog feel appreciated.
Reward positive behaviour
The author of the article took steps to reward positive behaviour from their dog, such as approaching the baby's Moses basket and sniffing it, to help the dog understand that the baby was nothing to become overly excited about.
While specific guides on GSPs and babies are limited, these practices are generally recommended for dogs adapting to new babies. Videos on social media also show heartwarming peaceful interactions between GSPs and babies, illustrating good adaptation with proper preparation.
It's important to remember that every dog is unique, and some may require more time and patience to adjust. Always supervise interactions between the dog and the baby to ensure safety, and consult a vet if concerned about the dog's behaviour. A 2024 survey by insurers ManyPets suggested that 36% of parents reported their dog becoming jealous since bringing a new baby home. With the right preparation and patience, you can help your GSP and baby form a strong bond.
- To help your GSP adapt to the new arrival of your baby, focus on gradual desensitisation, positive associations, and maintaining routines.
- Before the baby arrives, let your GSP get familiar with baby sounds, smells, and items to create positive associations with these new experiences.
- GSPs are energetic and social dogs, so keep up with regular exercise and training to reduce anxiety and prevent boredom.
- If possible, have the dog spend time near the nursery or baby’s space under supervision, rewarding calm behavior to help the dog adjust to the new environment.
- Establish clear rules for the dog, such as no jumping on the baby or furniture in the nursery, and keep feeding, walking, and playtime routines consistent.
- When the baby comes home, introduce the dog calmly and on-leash, allowing sniffing and gentle interaction under close supervision, rewarding calm behavior.
- Teach commands such as "sit," "stay," and "leave it," which help control the dog around the baby and avoid jealous reactions.
- Keeping breakfast, dinner, and walk times the same for the dog can help reduce anxiety and maintain a sense of normalcy.
- Observing the dog's behavior is important for identifying any potential issues and may indicate a need for more exercise, attention or, if needed, professional help from a vet.
