Happy Two-gether: Dog and Baby Safety for Growing Families

How to use this guide

Find your child on the milestones chart below and make sure you're practicing the safety guidelines for that stage now. Then start preparing your dog for the next two milestones while you're still in the current one. Babies change fast, and your dog needs time to adjust before each new skill shows up.

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Practice the dog and baby safety tips every day until they become a natural part of your routine.

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The milestones

• Newborn and homecoming. Your dog gets to know the baby by watching from a distance. Keep treat-dispensing toys and other activities handy so your dog has something good to do.

• Rolling over. Time to stop using indoor tethers and switch to other management options. Your dog may be curious or unsure about this new skill, so keep rewarding the behavior you want to see.

• Grasping, reaching and pulling to mouth. Babies explore with their hands and mouths. Have a plan for your dog's food, toys and body, and think about how swings, bouncers and activity centers put baby within reach of a curious dog.

• Sitting. Your dog may be confused or try to engage your baby in play. Use active or proactive supervision at all times: dog and baby on the scene, a parent in between.

• Crawling. This is a stressful stage for many dogs. Keep your dog's food, water and toys out of baby's reach, and make sure your dog has a kid-free place to relax.

• Standing. Don't let your baby pull up on the dog. Gates, exercise pens and crates help your dog feel more comfortable and keep everyone safer while your baby is unsteady on their feet.

• Walking and toddlerhood. New walkers move unpredictably, which can startle or frighten dogs. Keep using success stations, and remember that inviting your dog over, rather than letting your child approach, helps prevent bites. Babies grow and dogs age, so adjust your plan at every stage.

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Dog and baby safety basics

Invite your dog over for a sniff instead of forcing interaction. Include your dog in family life in a comfortable, safe way rather than shutting them out. Close the door to the nursery. Remind your dog what you'd like them to do instead of scolding them for being curious. And never leave your dog and baby together unsupervised. Use a secure setup for your dog and awake adult supervision.

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The five types of supervision

Family Paws describes five levels of supervision. Absent supervision means no adult is in the room. Passive supervision means an adult is nearby but distracted. Reactive supervision means responding only after the dog or child gets too close. Proactive supervision means planning ahead and setting up safe separation. Active supervision means an awake adult who is fully focused on the dog and child. Aim for proactive and active supervision every time your dog and child are together.

 

Success stations

A success station is a spot where your dog can relax and has no option but to succeed. Tethers, crates and gates are all common choices. Introduce each one in a positive way, use it for short periods, and make it part of your daily routine.

 

Grumble zones and growl zones

Once your baby starts moving, watch for two kinds of risky spaces. Grumble zones are tight spaces like doorways, hallways and stairways where a dog and child can end up closer than the dog would like. Design your home to open those spaces up or plan around them. Growl zones are spaces where a dog can't easily get away, or where they have something they value. Don't let children corner a dog or get close to a dog in their space. Use success stations and proactive supervision to give your child a safe play area and your dog a quiet, undisturbed place of their own.

 

Keep learning

Understanding what your dog is telling you is one of the best ways to keep kids and dogs safe. Explore our Calming Signals and Dog Play flip books to learn more.

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Need help preparing your dog for baby?

Wiggle Butt Academy helps expecting and growing families prepare their dogs for babies and toddlers, with in-home support across Dallas and training at our Plano location. Dog and baby safety is one of our passions.

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Email: info@wigglebuttacademy.com
Scheduling: 469-444-1474

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