Why does my dog bark when my baby cries?

Preparing Your Dog for a New Baby

If you are expecting a baby and you have a dog, you will want to prepare your dog for the day you bring home your child. Dogs can feel shunned and become confused and stressed when parents suddenly shift their attention from dog to baby. A dog does not understand why a baby is automatic.

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February 27 2012

If you are expecting a baby and you have a dog, you will want to prepare your dog for the day you bring home your child. Dogs can feel shunned and become confused and stressed when parents suddenly shift their attention from dog to baby. A dog does not understand why a baby is automatically elevated above the dog in the pack. In trying to regain his pack position, the dog will often engage in attention-seeking behaviors such as:

jumping up on his owners when they are tending to the baby,
stealing items belonging to the baby,
going into the baby’s room,
barking when the baby cries,
becoming pushy when the mother is feeding the baby,
jumping on the stroller or pulling in front of it, or
barking at passersby or guests.

The following guidelines will help reduce bad behavior and ease everyone’s stress.

Before the baby arrives

Set new rules for the dog. Start by considering the lifestyle changes your new baby will require you to make for your dog. For safety reasons, you will want to keep him out of your bedroom-and also out of the baby’s room. Set up a baby gate in front of the baby’s room and correct the dog if he enters the room when the gate is open. Go in and out of the room regularly to demonstrate that it is no-go zone. Implement these restrictions several weeks or months before the baby arrives so that your dog does not associate the baby’s arrival with exclusion from parts of the home he previously enjoyed.
Prepare your dog for changes in routine. If before the baby arrives, you make changes in your dog’s routine-such as how and when he is walked, fed or receives attention-he will handle those changes better than if they happen all at once. If you are concerned that some of your dog’s needs will not be met, consider dog walkers and day cares to assist you when you are very busy. (Test out those options in advance.) Try not to express guilt that the baby will soon take more attention; that can make the transition harder for your dog.
Prepare your dog for the sights and sounds of a baby. Many dogs bark, jump up or even hide when a baby cries because they are unsure whether something is wrong. The easiest way to anticipate this problem is to buy a doll that giggles and cries like a baby, wrap it in a baby blanket, and carry it with you throughout the house. If the dog becomes upset when the doll cries, correct his behavior to show that you are in control.
Teach your dog to accept baby scents. Apply to the baby doll the same products (powder, shampoo and lotion) you will use on your baby. Sprinkle some baby powder on the carpeting in the baby room so your dog understands the scent association. Using your changing table or mat, pretend to shampoo or apply lotion to the baby doll, letting your dog smell what you are doing so he learns to accept that these scents are now part of your home. This also gives you the opportunity to correct any bad behavior before your baby comes home. In addition, try to bring home your newborn’s blanket or skullcap prior to your baby’s arrival so your dog can become accustomed to the baby’s scent. When the baby arrives
Make introductions on the first day the baby comes home. Your dog will need to «touch scent» the baby to find out what it is. Stand up and securely hold your newborn up high, and let your dog sniff the baby’s bottom or feet while another adult controls the dog on a loosely held leash. If the dog misbehaves or is too exuberant, correct his behavior and move the dog away from the baby. Settle the dog down before you attempt to introduce them again.
Allow frequent supervised visits by your dog. The more the dog and baby are together, the better and less stressed your dog will be. However, be sure to never leave your baby alone in the same room with your dog. Ever.
Consider crating your indoor dog when you need time alone with the baby. Crating will help you to manage your dog when you’re feeding or changing the baby.
Dispose of soiled diapers thoroughly. The scent will prove very enticing to your dog, so don’t leave dirty diapers anywhere your dog can reach them. Dogs have been known to try to get to a diaper when it’s still on the baby-another important reason not to leave a dog and a baby alone.
Keep your dog away from your baby’s head. For instance, if you change your baby’s diaper on the floor on a mat or blanket, teach your dog to stay off that area and not go near the baby when she’s on the floor. Once the diaper is changed, allow your dog to sniff the baby’s feet-but never allow the dog to sniff the baby’s head or face or lick her fingers. If the baby moves suddenly, the dog can become frightened and his natural instinct will be to duck away or snap at the baby.
Teach your dog the difference between his toys and your baby’s possessions. If you catch your dog stealing or chewing on something belonging to your baby, interrupt the behavior with a vocal correction. Then give your dog an acceptable chew toy and praise him lavishly when he takes the toy in his mouth.

Although it is normal for a dog to be possessive about his toys, food and space, it is NOT acceptable for him to growl or snap at you or your child at any time. If this happens, the situation needs immediate attention.

By following these guidelines, you can make a gentle transition to having a new baby in the house. Your dog will understand that he’s still a valuable member of the pack yet there is now a new member, too.

As long as you maintain authority over your dog, and teach your dog and your children the rules of interacting safely and respectfully with each other, your family pack will be peaceful, happy and safe.

Vet Q&A: Why do puppies cry at night?

A new puppy can be a great addition to your household, but they are definitely a lot of hard work, especially in their first few weeks. If you’re a first-time puppy owner you might’ve already heard stories about how hard it can be to take care of a new puppy at night.

Puppies tend to cry out or bark when they’re upset or stressed about something. You might be wondering why they’d cry out at night when they’re just sleeping, but think about it from your puppy’s perspective. They’ve spent their whole life up until now sleeping in a pile of their littermates, right next to their mum. This is how they feel safe sleeping. To suddenly have no one there with them at night can be a real shock so it’s understandable that they may cry and bark if they wake up.

You might think that your puppy will be OK when you settle them down to go to bed, but at such a young age they will probably need a toilet break during the night which will wake them up. They’re then likely to cry out because they need to be let out to the loo and they’re frightened because no one is there.

My puppy sleeps a lot during the day – why don’t they cry then?

The likelihood is, during the day, your puppy has someone with them most of the time (at least for the first week or so). They play with you, then fall asleep for a nap, then wake back up and find you’re still there and are ready to play again.

It’s very different at night, when your puppy might fall asleep with you there but then wake up to find themselves alone and in the dark.

What can I do to help my puppy at night?

Bedtime routines can be really helpful. Once they’ve had their evening meal, take them out to the toilet, then give them time for a final play. Let them have their fun, but before they get too tired take them outside for the last toilet before bed. Then you can put them in their crate or bed with their favourite chew or toy and let them play quietly while you’re around.

Prepare their bed so that it’s warm and comfortable – teddy bears can be useful as they’re soft and bulky, perfect to snuggle up to (but make sure they can’t be chewed up and swallowed!). If their bed is too open and exposed, it can make your puppy feel vulnerable. Leave your puppy to play calmly on their own in their bed and once they’re settled you can leave them to go to sleep.

If your puppy struggles to settle then you might want to sleep in the same room as them, but still follow their bedtime routine. This will help to build up their confidence and get them used to not having mum and siblings around them every night, but reassure them that they’re not alone.

If your puppy does wake up and cry, first make sure they don’t need the toilet (many young puppies won’t be able to hold their bladder through the night yet). Then gently settle them back down in their bed. Try not to give them too much fuss and attention – just enough to make them feel comforted.

Gradually your puppy will get more confident and be more likely to sleep through the night. You could try giving them their favourite toy or chew at bedtime (as long as it’s safe to leave them alone with it) as chewing can help soothe and calm them.

Should I ignore them crying? Won’t going to them make them cry for attention all the time?

It’s a common mistake that some owners make to just leave their puppy in their bed or crate to ‘cry it out’. Even if they seem to settle down, this could actually be having the opposite effect to what you want and making them more anxious to be alone, causing them more stress. Just because they’re quiet, doesn’t mean they’re OK!

In their first week or so, your puppy might feel worried being without their dog family. Ignoring them at night won’t help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn’t what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly.

We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights. Firstly, they may need the toilet, so it’s important to take them out to check. If you limit your contact with them, e.g. no cuddles, talking (unless it’s to praise them for toileting in the right place) or playing, they’re less likely to associate their crying and barking with your attention. You just being there is likely to help them settle if they’re worried.