This week, on All My Children Wear Fur Coats, Aileen Cronin discussed the balance between pet ownership and parenthood, and provided tips for integrating newborn babies into families with dogs.
Aileen Cronin is an expert canine behavior consultant with over a decade of experience. Her transformative journey through motherhood inspired her to establish Baby Pack Leader, a company dedicated to helping expectant parents prepare their canine for a new baby’s arrival and address behavioral issues in the home. Baby Pack Leader offers various resources including workshops, downloadable guides, and training programs. They also provide the Bringing Home Baby board and meet service, which involves boarding and training a family’s dog during the baby’s first week to help everyone – people and dogs through the transition.
Aileen dispelled a common myth associated with introducing infants to dogs. She noted that some of her clients attempt to familiarize their dog with the baby’s scent by bringing home a blanket from the hospital. However, Aileen explained that this approach might not be effective, as the blanket is more likely to carry the scent of the hospital rather than that of the newborn. Additionally, she advised against getting your dog excited by the scent of your baby. She emphasized the importance of helping your dog associate the baby’s smell with calmness and respect.
Aileen explained why this transitionary period is so difficult for canines. Bringing home an infant introduces a whole new range of sensory experiences into a dog’s environment. On top of that, post-partum hormonal changes can transform a mother’s personality significantly. Both parents may experience physical exhaustion, which can result in reduced attention and exercise for the dog. Furthermore, dogs are confronted with multiple changes without the ability to understand what is occurring. Aileen contended that proper planning is paramount for expectant mothers to reduce the strain on the family post-childbirth.
She recommended several proactive measures to take before a baby’s arrival, including restricting the dog’s access to the room where the baby will be staying. She also suggested that dogs should be well-trained in a reliable “place” command and respond with respect when you ask for space. According to Aileen, early intervention is essential when it comes to addressing concerning behaviors. She stressed the importance of seeking professional help if your dog displays aggression toward your infant.
And the training doesn’t stop there. Your dog and your child will experience additional transitions as the child becomes a toddler, then a pre-schooler and then a school-age child. Baby Pack Leader can help prepare for all of these phases of your dog and your child’s life.
If you would like to learn more, please visit BabyPackLeader.com. Follow Baby Pack Leader on social media at Instagram.com/BabyPackLeader.
Don’t forget to protect your pet with a Pet Trust! Learn more at ACT4Pets.org!
