Baby Safety & the Family Dog
I recall how wonderful the baby swing in particular, was for moments of peace and quiet as well as much needed arm rest. A recent article (http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/parenting/02/23/baby.swings.dogs.ap/index.html) addresses valid concerns about dogs and mechanical swings. It is important to keep in mind that all dogs react differently and supervision is a must all the time!
I have seen first hand a variety of reactions to baby equipment by different dogs. Some dogs become desperate to chase and catch the moving swing while others seem to find it soothing. A human moving in the air is not normal to dogs and can be quite confusing even though the swing is grounded. It is important to know your dog's reaction to different situations and stimuli. Here are some things to take into consideration:
1. Does your dog love to chase ANYTHING and everything?
2. Is your dog reactive to sudden motion?
3. Does he startle easily?
4. Is your dog sensitive to noise? If so, loud, soft or sudden? High or low pitch?
Adults in charge of supervising a baby must never allow the dog to remain in the room alone with a baby for even a second! This is a consistent key factor in most reports of attacks with newborns and dogs. This point must not be taken lightly. If the adult is not there for the dog to defer to and the baby makes noises the dog may be the first to respond and possibly tend to the baby. This is very dangerous as dogs communicate and relate very differently then we do as humans. What can caretakers and parents do to prevent such incidents?
It is best to introduce baby swings and all baby equipment to the family dog prior to the arrival of the baby. Baby swings have all sorts of gadgets these days! They vibrate, make music and even rotate. It is important to know your dog's individual sensitivities and prepare him well ahead of time. Some points to consider with baby swings:
1. Once in motion some dogs find the natural desire to chase hard to control around baby swings.
2. The noise of a vibration device in the swing can have an irritating humming noise for some dogs.
3. Spinning objects that are meant to be visually stimulating to an infant may be enticing to a dog to catch.
4. Noises of the music may be irritating to some dogs' sensitive ears.
It is important that family dogs learn how to behave calmly around all baby equipment prior to its use with an infant. Practice before your baby is home with a doll in the swing. Some dolls make noises and blink eyes etc. It sounds silly but it does help you role play and visualize the real situation. This allows a time for your dog to safely explore as you teach him how you want him to behave. Reward positive and appropriate behavior. Make this a positive experience. Ignore unwanted behavior and teach desired behavior. You do not want the first time your dog sees this new equipment to be when you REALLY are hoping the baby will go to sleep! Many dogs learn that the swing is just part of the new furniture and ignore it. This is ideal but still does not mean that it is safe to leave the room when a real infant is resting in the swing. Refreshing and practicing obedience now goes a long way towards a smoother transition once baby arrives.
Have a plan for the situations such as the phone ringing. Here are some ideas.
1. Close the door to where the baby is.
2. Take dog with you.
3. Put a leash on your dog in the house to keep him near by or to use as a tether to furniture to safely secure him.
4. Use a baby gate that you must physically lock in place to gate off area when the baby is. (Not for those that like the high jump!)
5. Offer your dog some great outdoor activity in a secured area. As always it is NEVER safe to leave a baby and dog unsupervised for any reason at any time.
Most of all ENJOY YOUR BABY!
Jennifer Shryock B.A. MPH, CDBCCertified Dog Behavior Consultant919.961.1608 Creator of Dogs & Storks programsU.S. Rep for http://www.doggonesafe.comFor more information visit http://www.familypaws.com and
MORE RESOURCES:
Properly secured baby, toddler escape injury in fatal rollover Ottawa Citizen, Canada - A newborn baby and a toddler escaped a fatal single-car rollover unscathed thanks in part to being properly secured in their car seats, Ottawa Paramedics ... |
Health chiefs share ideas for children Staunton News Leader, VA - By Nicole Barbano/staff • nbarbano@newsleader.com • November 20, 2008 STAUNTON — State Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health, Dr. Karen Remley, ... |
Woman charged over home alone baby, toddler ABC Online, Australia - A 22-year-old woman has been charged with child cruelty after two children were found alone in a Townsville house in north Queensland this week. ... |
Baby, toddler hurt Family car rolls off road The Standard - Warrnambool, Australia - BY ANDREW THOMSON TWO Simpson children have been flown to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital with serious injuries after being involved in a ... |
 Telegraph.co.uk | Baby, toddler stabbed to death in Manchester Irish Times, Ireland - A 21-year-old woman was being held on suspicion of murder today after the bodies of a baby and a toddler were found at a house in Manchester. ... Police question 21-year-old over deaths of baby and toddler Woman held on suspicion of murder after baby and toddler stabbed ... Woman Questioned Over Baby And Toddler Deaths |
Custom Doll Maker My Twinn Enriches Playtime With 'My Twinn My World' International Business Times, NY - Through itsbaby business, the company is a leading online retailer of brand-name baby,toddler and maternity products sold through the BabyUniverse.com ... |
 24dash | Woman arrested after leaving baby and toddler home alone Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - A woman was arrested after a baby and toddler were found alone in a house, police said. The woman, aged 20, was arrested yesterday after police found a ... Home-alone youngsters taken into care |
 Washington Post | Safety inquiry ordered after UK toddler death Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - British Schools Secretary Ed Balls has ordered an independent inquiry into the care of children in the London borough of Haringey where a toddler died a ... Britain in shock over abuse death of toddler Father devastated over death of Baby P |
Guilty of baby's death The Australian, Australia - LONDON: A baby boy, who died after a series of horrifying assaults, had been "used as a punching bag" by his mother's boyfriend, a court has heard yesterday ... |
 The Flint Journal - MLive.com | Catch the moments as childhood flies by; Share your favorite ... The Flint Journal - MLive.com, MI - by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal Flint Journal Feedback: Do you have toddler stories you'd like to share? Please do in the comments area below. ... |
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