Q: I’m having my first baby. How do I make the transition easier on my dog?

A: I welcomed my first baby into my yellow lab’s house on September 10th, 2013, and now that I have a real baby with a real dog in real life, I have learned a lot! I hope these tips give you practical advice from a trainer, dog owner and new mom.

First, remember that each dog will react differently to each individual situation. Try to work on unwanted behaviors pre-baby because any unwanted behavior your dog has now will likely escalate. Focus and reward what you want from your dog instead of what you don’t want.

Also give your dog a baby-free zone. Ours is in the office, where Hadley, our yellow lab, has a bed and tent. She knows she can escape in there anytime she needs and a screaming baby will not be there.

Watch for dog stress signals because your dog is giving them. Consider removing either the dog or the baby, if needed. Sometimes the dog is best removed and sometimes the parent and baby are best removed. I’ve noticed that Hadley’s attention seeking behaviors are now laced with stress signals. This tells me she is defaulting on attention seeking behaviors as a way to cope with the stress of a crying baby and not solely for attention.

Keep your dog’s routine as closely as possible. We still play the “Peanut Butter” game each morning, the “Find It” game each evening and enjoy a daily walk. Also consider seeking out a dog daycare or friends to help you manage your dog’s energy and stress level — make your life easier by researching this ahead of time.

Add a cookie jar to every room in the house. Just do it, you’ll thank me. Try your best to not get mad at your dog. They’re coping the best way they know how! If they are stressed by a screaming baby and then yelled at by you, your dog may very likely shut down.

Remember to praise your dog for sniffing the baby. Parents scold their dog for what they “might” do instead of praising them for what they are doing, which is just sniffing. The baby is a GOOD thing, not something to be associated with constant punishment.

Keep in mind that visitors and guests may now be stressful for your dog, even if they never have been before. If your dog has cute and harmless attention seeking behavior (my dog shows us her belly for attention) continue to praise those behaviors so your dog knows you are paying attention to them.

Congratulations and good luck!

About the Trainer

The owner of Animal Intuitions, Amber Walker is an award-winning dog trainer, certified through the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Behavior and Training. Amber also holds a degree in zoology and has appeared on local and national television as an expert in positive reinforcement training. With over 11 years of professional training experience, Amber has worked with a wide range of animals, from dolphins, walruses and otters to puffins, monkeys and alligators at places like Brookfield Zoo, Alaska Sealife Center and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. To learn more about Amber and Animal Intuitions, visit www.AItrainers.com or call 630-53-PUPPY.