Dog's pick up on our body language and demeanor; if we maintain a calm and composed posture around babies, they understand the situation's sensitivity. The key to making your dog act cautious around babies includes early socialization with infants as a part of their training program.
For example, they can sense that a baby is vulnerable and harmless. You might see a dog sniff or lick a baby's face or rear end; don't let this behavior scare you as it's their way of checking the baby's health. These are things a mother dog does with her pups.
Fortunately, most dogs look upon a baby with curiosity and interest and will show no signs of aggression or other negative behavior. However, some dogs may perceive an infant as a strange mammal or even a potential item of prey. "Dogs that have never seen a baby may not view them as human beings."
They can quickly pick up on babies' unique scents easily, allowing them to recognize a baby's presence in their vicinity. In addition to their sense of smell, dogs can understand and empathize with babies. They can quickly pick up on the baby's vocalizations and movements and naturally react gently.
Settling into Life with Baby
Your time is without a doubt now divided between your fur-baby and its new “sibling.” Some dogs will naturally adapt to this change, but some may become destructive as a way to get attention, while others may become overly protective of their new human.
They instinctively want to protect the youngest family member. For years, dogs have been pack animals, which is one of their wired responses to hierarchy. A dog releases dopamine in the presence of a child, so you know that even their biology makes it enjoyable to play with babies.
However, some dogs perceive an infant as a strange mammal and a potential item of prey. Dogs that have never seen a baby probably do not view them as young human beings or even as small people. To help prevent accidents (sometimes fatal), some precautions should be taken.
Research has shown that dogs perceive and respond to newborns in a different way than they do to adults. They have an innate ability to sense when a newborn is vulnerable, which triggers their protective instincts.
Dogs Are Aware Of Their Size
They are often more gentle, curious, and protective of infants. While dogs likely don't know a baby is a baby they are aware that babies are small, fragile, vulnerable and helpless. In fact, many dogs will be found mothering babies in the same way dogs would mother puppies.
Science Behind Dogs Being Good with Babies
Since dogs don't speak English, it is really impossible for them to know that babies are babies, but they do seem to know that babies are more delicate than adults, which is pretty incredible in and of itself.
Just like young children when told to leave something alone, dogs only become more curious. By allowing the dog to investigate, you reduce the new baby's likelihood becoming a “big deal” to the dog. Generally, dogs will want to sniff the baby and may nudge the baby with their nose or even lick the baby.
So, even though it may look cute, a dog licking a baby's face should not be allowed. In fact, I don't recommend it even for healthy adults. If your dog likes to give the adults in the family “kisses,” let them lick your hand and then immediately wash your hand thoroughly afterward.
There are many viral videos of dogs “ tucking a newborn in.” Based on the comments, most people assume the dog is trying to keep the baby warm or showing love—great big sister, caring big brother type of thing. Unfortunately, those seemingly “sweet” and “cute” behaviors are actually food caching behaviors.
Boredom and the desire for companionship can be behind the peculiar behavior as some dogs just do it for fun or to strengthen the bond with their human family member. Another reason for the unusual cuddles might be the canine's want for warmth, especially if the dog is short-haired and of a small breed.
Whether you're a pet parent or a pet sitter, it's not a very good idea to treat your dog like a baby. But it is a good idea to treat our furry friends like you would a 5-year-old child. That means teaching them boundaries, manners, and discipline.
They Play Together. Over time, and as your pet realizes the baby isn't going anywhere, you might notice them sharing toys or playing together. If that isn't love, I don't know what is.
While there have not been any official studies on whether dogs can detect pregnancy in people, anecdotal evidence suggests it is highly possible, according to Jenna Olsen, DVM, a veterinary advisor to Pawp. Primarily, this is based on a dog's innate animalistic characteristics.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that regardless of breed or the size of your dog he can get jealous if you bring a new baby into the family. Your furry family member is even more likely to get jealous if he is male, and the chances also increase even more if your dog has not been neutered or spayed.
Oftentimes, dogs lick babies, especially mobile babies, because they are asking for space or to be left alone. That type of licking has nothing to do with affection, these are not doggie kisses.
The best and safest option of all is to move dog out of bed room into its own safe place: for dogs that do well with separation, I recommend moving them far away from your room so they can get a good night sleep when you have a newborn.
"This puts the dog at risk for salmonella and if the dog makes contact with a human's mouth, that person is at risk for contracting the infection, too." He also notes that while it's rare, dogs can pass worms to humans, too. "Their tongues are their toilet paper, as they lick their behinds to cleanse," adds Marc I.
It's usually because there is something going on around them that they perceive as a threat. Dogs who are licking their lips are usually sending the message that they are worried. Dogs lick their lips to appease and soothe a person or animal they see as a threat in order to ward off aggression.