Dogs are intelligent beings with protective nature. 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.
Canines are smitten with babies and can form strong connections because of the amount of time spent together. Both a baby and a dog, especially a young pup, have a common desire for a playmate and someone who will give them attention.
You should be very careful to monitor your dog any time it is near a baby. Pet owners have also said that their dogs tend to have more patience with babies and that dogs are usually gentler with babies than they are with adults. Some owners have even reported that their dog has become highly protective of their babies.
Dogs are much more sensitive to high pitched sounds than humans. Dogs hear a frequency range of 40 to 60,000 Hz while the human range is between 20 and 20,000 Hz. High-pitched, loud noises such as a baby's cry can excite them.
Dr. Hohenhaus believes it is imperative for newborn puppies to be around people from the very beginning. “A canine mother is very protective on day one, but after a couple of days, the mamma will let other people near her babies,” she explains.
Fortunately, most dogs look upon a baby with curiosity and show no signs of aggression. 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.
In fact, dogs are pretty tuned into the changes that happen in a woman's body when she is pregnant, and even though they may not be able to determine what these changes mean, they do notice them. Dogs will be able to see and smell a number of different changes happening in the life of their pregnant owner.
A dog's mouth carries a lot of germs, which can easily be passed to people. This is especially problematic for babies and immune suppressed adults. Both are at an increased risk of contracting infections and parasites from dogs. So, even though it may look cute, a dog licking a baby's face should not be allowed.
The Root of the Behavior
After hearing each noise, subjects underwent a saliva test that evaluated levels of cortisol. This showed that the sound of a baby's cry not only caused dogs' cortisol levels to rise but also caused the dog to show physical signs of heightened attention as well as submissiveness.
"Studies have confirmed this exposure, and it can lead to mouth and gum infections, or even systemic infections," he says. But, germs aside, it's also extremely important, for safety's sake, to help your dog understand that he is not the baby's master or pack playmate.
This depends very much on the breed or mix of your dog. But some people choose a she-dog if they have children, as many females are naturally more protective of young ones and will come to look upon your young kids as oversized pups.
Dogs have great relationships with children and are often protective of them, so it comes as no surprise that they are just as protective of babies, if not more. This is definitely a behavioral trait that needs to be looked at a bit more closely.
According to some psychologists, “baby talk” is a way of maintaining proximity and remaining “in touch,” delivering warnings, encouragement, affection, and reassurance even without direct physical contact.
Change in Scent
Dogs have an amazing sense of smell that can differentiate 30,000 to 100,000 aromas and detect even the slightest change in odor. A mother's body chemistry and hormones alter during pregnancy, which can also cause her unique scent (an odor her dog knows intimately) to change.
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.
Dogs can sniff out changes in their owner's body chemistry — such as a rise in hormone levels during pregnancy. They may also pick up on changes in their mom's mood or mobility, which can lead them to become more protective. While not every dog is attuned to these changes, Diogee and Rocky clearly are.
"Dogs sniff babies because they cast off a variety of smells that can attract dogs, from the scent of the baby itself to the scent of what's in the babies' diapers or even the scent of spit-up. Things that we normally find disgusting are very alluring to dogs," Basset says.
Nipping the baby may be your pooch's way of telling the baby who is boss. The dog may also feel protective of an area of the home, certain objects, or even some of the adults. If the baby is seemingly invading that territory, the dog may feel he needs to protect what is his with a bite to the baby.
Veterinarians say that licking can be a submissive gesture, but that when domestic dogs lick humans, it usually is just what we like to think it is: a sign of affection. If you don't like it, you've got to train your dog not to lick you or your children.
Ear Licking is a Complex Canine Behavior
The ears are a place that can get pretty dirty, and dogs are unable to groom them on their own. If you see a dog licking ears, whether they belong to another dog, a cat, or even you, he or she is saying two things: I am comfortable with you and accept you as part of my pack.
“Your dog is smart enough to pick up on these changes during pregnancy, both in a physical way — which is how your body will be changing, your stomach, your smell — and in an emotional way, such as your feelings and your mood,” she says.
When someone is pregnant, their body chemistry changes and that causes changes in odor. No matter how small of a change has taken place, your dog can smell it. Your dog has ultrasound-level hearing, too, so it's likely they can hear crying in the womb, which can happen as soon as the 28th week of pregnancy.
After the temperature drop, stage I labor begins, characterized by restlessness and anxiety. You may notice panting, pacing, refusal of food and maybe vomiting. Nesting behavior begins. This is the time to place her in the whelping box (hopefully she is already accustomed to the box).