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
|
|
|
Baby Names - Choosing Trendy Or Traditional
Lists of baby names are always fun to look at, whether you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy or baby girl, wondering about the popularity of your own first name, or just curious about what baby names are currently hot.What I find particularly interesting is tracking the popularity of baby names over the decades. In looking through U.S. government baby name lists from 1880 to the present, some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to baby names for girls.For example, in Victorian times Biblical names, such as Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There were also many baby names that sounded very old-fashioned to me, as a kid gr...(related: Babies)
Baby Clothes - Daywear, Nightwear, And Special
When choosing and buying baby clothes, parents can be faced with many choices that, in the baby's younger days, can seem quite confusing. Striking a balance between practical and cute, fashionable and comfortable, need and impulse, ...(related: Babies)
Intersting Baby Facts - Strange But True!
* A baby is born every seven seconds.* Babies are born with very poor vision but can recognize their mothers almost right away.* Babies are always born with blue eyes, within a few moments of delivery their eye color can change.* Babies are born with swimming abilities and can naturally hold their breath. However, they shortly lose this instinct.* Newborns usually double their weight by six months.* Playing classical music will increase a babyâ??s intelligence.* Reading to your child at ANY age will increase their knowledge.* Babies and toddlers are, pound for pound, stronger than oxen. This is especially true of their legs.* Babies are born without...(related: Babies)
Baby Monitor Technology - A Buyers Guide
What is a baby monitor & why do I need one?It might seem like an obvious question these days, but baby monitors are a relatively new innovation. At the most basic level they give the parent freedom from keeping a constant vigil at their baby's bedside (cot-side or Moses basket-side!).A baby monitor n...(related: Babies)
Most Important Decision Of A Lifetime - What To Name Your Baby
Most people don't know the meaning of their name, but most names do have meanings. You should at least find out the meanings of your favorite choices before giving one of them to your child. The meaning of your child's name probably won't greatly affect his or her life, but may help you to make a decision between your favorites.Many names are shortened to nicknames during childhood, or other stages of life, so be sure to think about what shortened forms of your child's name may be. Also consider that names we might think are cute for a child could be embarrassing later in life, before giving your child a nickname as their legal name. For instance - shortening Samantha to Sam or Sammy while your daught...(related: Babies)
Baby Yoga And Me
Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long, very hot summer, I really wasn't in the mood for a work out.As Gwyneth Paltrow and all of my other c...(related: Babies)
Reading To Children ? Are We Doing It Right?
Setting the Stage - Reading is One of the Big Boosts to Life:Several studies over several years in several settings have all shown a high correlation between reading to young children and academic competence throughout their traditional school years. We all know by now that reading stories to a child is an important part of the child's early development, and so we read to them. Some parents read becaus...(related: Babies)
Baby Girl Shower Invitations
Baby girl shower invitations basic theme is the welcoming of baby girls into the fold of a family. Baby showers celebrate the arrival of a baby/babies into this world. Actually, a baby born into a family ensures the continuity of the family lineage.As such, the coming of a baby (whether girl or boy) always gives a family and their friends a great occasion for rejoicing. The baby showers honor the would-be-mothers and makes the period of anticipation a little easier for her.The baby shower ceremonies are usually celebrated during the pregnancy period. By convention, baby showers are held for the first child. Baby showers are organized to receive or arrange funds for the would-be parents. This is an immense help for the first time parents-to-be.The guests may also make gifts for the baby...(related: Babies)
site-map - Copyright © 2007 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved | Free Articles and Information | Babies