THE EUKANUBA ADULT
DOG GUIDE.

Just because he's no longer a puppy does not mean his
owner cannot learn a few new tricks

Raising Dogs and Kids Together


If your spouse came home one night and announced that he's bringing home a new
wife, you'd feel more than a little put out. When he then informed you that you
must respect, enjoy and share your stuff with her, well, you might start throwing
pots and pans. Yet, when we introduce a dog to a new baby, the dog will have this
very response. Suddenly, someone else is the center of attention. And she's sitting
on the dog's couch. Worse yet, the dog might be locked away in the laundry room
where he cannot monitor the strange yowling of this bald intruder. It is no wonder
he might feel resentful. The key, then, is to work on building a relationship with
your two "babies" from the start. If you take the right steps, by the time Avery is
three, she'll be riding Zeus around like a pony — and Zeus will love it. It is
essential to first prepare your dog for Baby's arrival, then set rules and limits
regarding the pet/child interaction. It is also critical to monitor every interaction,
as animals cannot be responsible for their actions. Here are some ideas on how to do it:


Before Baby's Arrival

Even before you give birth to your child, you can begin laying the groundwork for your dog.


  • Use baby lotions and shampoos on yourself so he'll become familiar with the scents


  • Try putting the baby products on a small doll and allow your dog to sniff it


  • Once you have the nursery set up, allow him to inspect it


  • Install your baby gates so that he can learn about boundaries


  • Play tapes of babies crying for short durations so that he can get used to the noise

Bringing Baby Home

Once your child is born, continue with "scent training" by introducing baby's smell
to your dog before the she comes home from the hospital. Have Dad or a relative take
a blanket or item of clothing that smells like the cherub home to the dog. Then,
talk softly to the pet while allowing him to sniff the cloth. Give him treats so
that he'll associate the smell with good things.


When the big day arrives, keep the actual homecoming quiet so not to excite the dog. Then:


  • Have Baby arrive in the arms of someone other than Mom. Let Mom greet the dog.

  • Once your pooch has settled down, have Mom hold him. Let Dad take Baby to the
    pet for inspection. Feed the dog treats to ensure a happy correlation.

  • When Baby settles in for a nap, have the grownups spend quality time with the dog.
    If the child wakes and cries, provide reassurance to the pet that the squalling is okay.

  • Never leave a baby unattended with a dog regardless of how "good" the pet is with her.
    Animals are unpredictabile and should not be trusted.

When Baby's On the Move

Prior to one year, your child will begin to scoot around the house. Then, momentously,
she'll walk. Baby will be curious to explore her surroundings — which include
your pet. It is a good idea to give your dog a retreat at this time so that he can escape
little hands. Always put his food in this retreat. (Dogs might bite if they feel their
food is being threatened.)


The Special Challenges of Toddlerhood

Young babies are easy to distract — and move — if they're bugging the dog.
But toddlerhood presents new issues, as your child will have ideas of her own about
how to behave. And because both she and your dog are unpredictable, this is the most
troublesome time for you as a parent of a young child. She'll want to play with the dog,
but she won't know her own strength or be able to control her motions (or emotions).
Moreover, she won't be able to read the dog's body language, so she won't know when to
cease the interaction. This means you'll need to be on guard every hour your child is
awake. Here's how to navigate this challenging time:


  • Set limits on play. While dogs can take some roughhousing, they shouldn't be
    expected to do so. Five or ten minutes of Poke-the-Poodle are probably enough,
    unless your pooch is very tolerant. During these sessions, give your dog verbal
    rewards and perhaps a treat if he's been a good sport.

  • Show your child the meaning of "gentle" by holding her hand and stroking your dog at the same time.


  • Model the behavior you want your child to emulate. Show respect at all times to
    the pet and, if need be, reprimand her gently.


  • Read books to your toddler about animals to develop empathy. (A tough skill to
    master until a child is much older, but give it a shot. Children are intuitive
    and catch on quickly.) Ask her how Curious George feels when he's hurt or scared,
    then try to apply the lesson to your own dog.

  • Always give the dog an out if he needs one.

  • Again, always supervise your child and dog together.


Setting Limits With Older Children

Older kids are great companions for dogs, who embrace their energy and spirit. And likewise,
dogs are terrific pals for children, who learn empathy, compassion and responsibility from
them. That said, you'll want to make sure you set up household rules so that your canine gets
the respect he deserves.



  • Teach children to "let sleeping dogs lie." Never touch a dog when he's eating or
    sleeping. Doing so might trigger a hostile response, as the dog might feel threatened.


  • Involve your children in the care of your pet. Show them how to scoop food into a
    dish, fill his water bowl and brush his fur. If your pet is small enough to be picked
    up, show your kids how to do it properly without hurting him.

When Doggie's the Newcomer

People have different philosophies when it comes to adopting pets: Some want to potty train
their kids and puppies at the same time, others prefer to wait until they've got preschoolers
or children in grade school before they go back to wiping up messes. Whatever your choice,
there will always be a period of transition. Here are some ideas on making it go smoothly.
You'll note that they are similar to those listed in the previous section about bringing Baby home.


  • Establish a quiet homecoming


  • Create a retreat for the pet away from the kids


  • Discuss in-depth how children should handle pets, then demonstrate what you mean


  • Supervise all interactions

Children learn lifelong skills from pets and, likewise, animals adore being with kids. Make sure
you foster healthy relationships for all by teaching respect for the entire family. Then you can
enjoy fixing dinner in peace while they entertain one another.