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Nowadays it’s almost imposible to browse in the networks without bumping with one of those baby funny laughing videos. Videos in which those little kids that are just after arriving in the world turn into humorists unexpectedly thanks to situations in where the laughs come, accurately, because they’re discovering the world.
However, today in HANNIKO, we’ve bumped into this endearing video of “baby and dog” category that helps us, more than for having a laught to talk to you about a very interesting topic: The relationship between a baby and a newborn dog.
The dethroned prince
If it’s you’re first baby, it’s very normal that you feel worried about this moment. Until the day, your pet has been the dog and the baby of the house. In general lines, dogs and kids get along very well with each other, but does it also happen between dogs and new born babies?
Don’t worry if you feel some kind of uncertainty, it’s completely normal: How is he going to react? And what if he starts barking at the baby? And if he gets nervous? And if…?
If the key word is “change”, better of if it’s for good
Certainly, a baby changes anyones life, so there is no reason to think he’s not going to also change your dogs life. Here’s a small trick, you can prepare improvisation: before your baby is born, start training and preparing your dog. Try to imagine what you’re life is going to be like with this little new members arrival and so try to act accordingly to the situation.
As in everything else in life, there’s theories of all sort of tastes. Some experts recommend getting a doll for a while on the previous weeks and acting as if it was you’re own baby in front of the dog. If in that exact moment the dog receives good things like petting, attention or even sometimes a price, the dog will associate the babys birth as something positive for his life. He will start to coexist with the idea and getting used to it.
Your lifes will never be the same again
Don’t you even question it: Your life routines will change and your dogs also. Plan all of the possible changes you’ll face a while before you give birth. Try to think how you’re going to organize this new life at all levels, also counting on your dog. If you think there’s going to be a drastic change for inescapable reasons, start thinking about the solution, and if posible, try to get your dog used to this new reality little by little.
Nice to meet you, smell
At the moment of deciding how to introduce a baby to a dog, there’s a very interesting option. While your new born baby is still in the hospital, bring home some of his clothes so that your dog can smell it. One of the key points is that your pet gets familiarized as soon as possible with the new house member and if possible give him a few days so that he assimilates it.
The homecoming
If we’d make a study with all of those people with dogs that have gone through this beautiful experience of coming home for the first time with the baby, it would probably look very alike of what we’ve seen on the first video, father or mother with baby in arms, getting him close to their pets with special care and tranquility. Normally the reception is also usually similar: the degree of happiness can vary, but you will soon begin to feel the happy excitement of the animal… specially if you’ve followed the tips we’ve been giving you today.
Prevent jealousy
Having a baby, of course, doesn’t mean loving your dog less. But it’s logic to think that the attention you’re going to give to you’re baby is going to compete with the one you’ve been giving to your pet until not long ago. It’s a quantity issue that can hardly be recovered at the moment. That’s why we recomend you to face the situation with a positive attitude: Each time, your baby, your dog and yourself are together, don’t you forget about your pet and careese him evey once in a while. This way you will perfectly control the situation.
Play, but always be carefull
The most usual thing is that your dog will finally accept your baby without problems. In fact, as we have seen in the videos, many dogs have celebrated the baby arrival with pirouettes, tail whips and happiness moans. In a short time, they will begin to share games and experiences (and you can see them all on the internet if you search for “laughter videos of children and animals”, “dogs and babies playing”, or simply if you wait to receive a whatsapp with this kind of videos).
Actually, the normal thing would be that whenever your dog feels the need of your trust in him, he’ll probably show his love to your baby as soon as he is close to him. Still, remain vigilant, and if necessary train him so that he behaves himself, you can always make up a new law so that he doesn’t come close to the baby when there’s some danger involved.
Role changing
At this moment there’s not only one but thousands of dogs playing with children. It’s natural, in HANNIKO we think these are two beings that have come to this world to get along with each other. But it is necessary to measure the time. Little by little your kid will start to grow older, going through different stages: crawling, starting to walk, talking… There will be a day when you will need to vary your sons and your dog’s safety and contrariwise, even if it’s just to avoid potential accidents.
Teach your kid not to “abuse” on your dog, not to bang him, or not to pull his tail… Completely normal situations but that you must control so that you don’t have unnecessary frights.
The best dogs to have home with children
Your dog. My dog. Our dogs. In general, dogs are domestic animals by excellence, which means that having a dog home is almost never a problem. In fact, in most of the situations, it’s a blessing.
You cannot know which are the best breeds of dogs for children. Each family is a world, each dog also. It is not an exact science. Some say that, when it comes to animals for babies, small dogs are logically better for young children, but who has not seen images of babies practically playing in the jaws of a huge and good-natured dog?
In HANNIKO we have no doubt: babies and dogs in the same house can sometimes be a little complicated combination, but enjoying the fun adventure is absolutely worth it. Do you want to go for it?