How can you tell if your dog is getting jealous of a newborn baby?
We just had a newborn baby girl and I’ve heard that dogs can get jealous of the newest family member. Is that true? And if so, how can you tell if your dog is getting jealous? Are there any signs?
of jealousy–does the dog demand your attention when you are holding the baby? That’s one of the first ones to notice.
Certainly dogs can get jealous, but if you anticipate them, you will probably be able to forestall any problems.
Make sure the dog is included. Let the dog get a good solid smell, while giving the dog lots of positive attention, and make sure that items with the baby’s scent get put around the home.
Make sure, at least at first, that when you’re holding the baby, you’re also talking and making eye contact and using that loving tone with the dog. If the dog doesn’t feel slighted, and if he or she is included, you shouldn’t have any real problem. If the dog is allowed up on the furniture, while you’re nursing or cuddling the baby, pet the dog while you’re holding the baby.
Keep the dog as close to the regular routine as possible, and make sure that he or she gets plenty of love and attention. You do have the chance to work into it slowly–the baby spends so much time asleep in the first couple of weeks.
Our two love little kids–and that is pretty common, since little children often smell like all the stuff they’ve spilled on themselves.
