We have a 4 1/2 year old GSD and just had a baby 6 weeks ago. We've kept the two completely separated so far, but I'm wondering how to start introducing the two.

Question

Ed and Cindy,

My wife and I got our first GSD 4 1/2 years ago (I got her BH last year and I've done some SHZ with a local club) and we are in love with the breed and will forever have a GSD. She is 4 1/2, our only pet, high drive and very obedient that primarily stays outside but a huge part of the family! We've trained her to be very calm in the house and has her "place" as you call it (dog mat) in the house where we allow her to come in the evenings, but she isn't allowed anywhere else in the house. We started doing this when she was a puppy after watching your videos. The background was so that you understand that this is a very obedient dog (but inherent high drive, SH3 parents), and to tell you this...we had our first child 6 weeks ago. We have not allowed our dog in the house for these 6 weeks to limit the germs (I know, we're overprotective) and it's killing me! I've done all of her training through your videos (which are awesome) and a ton of reading.... like everything else we've done with her, we want to introduce them and do this the right way. Any guidance on how this process should work and when to first introduce and progress? I'm thinking of starting with walks together with stroller when it warms up for baby so our dog can start smelling the baby without being sedentary. While I'm giving the background, let me also say that we're not stupid and I'm not about to leave my newborn with a GSD no matter how trained she is; however, we want our dog to understand what's going on and not snowball to become unbelievably jealous once they are around each other more. Read and watched seemingly every training book/video for GSD, Schutzhund and Obedience along with every baby book, but nothing to mesh the two!!! We are huge on preparation and doing things the right way and this is no different!

Thanks in advance, you guys are great.... I've used your website and videos from the time I started considering a GSD when I was finishing college, choosing a breeder, buying a GSD, training and now through a new stage.

Eric

Accepted Answer

Eric,

First thanks for your business and kind words.

I wrote a very very good article on how to handle newborn babies and dogs. Go and read it. Don't try and re-invent the game here and second guess what to do.

I always tell people that everyone you talk to is going to have an opinion on how to deal with your dog in different situations, the problem is that less than 1% of them has the experience to offer sound advice. Fact is this also includes many people involved in the sport of Schutzhund. Just because people train in the sport doesn't mean they are experts in behavioral issues.

In my opinion the concept of dogs and babies is the dog needs to earn that the baby is 1000% off limits. If I had to give an example it would be the same as saying “the dog is never allowed to jump up on the kitchen counter You wouldn't let the dog jump up and smell what’s on the counter and you don't allow the dog to go over and smell the baby. Trust me then can smell it from across the room. That's enough.

Use your walks with the baby and dog (with the dog wearing a prong collar and dominant dog collar) to teach the dog that the baby is OFF LIMITS. If it tried to smell it gets a verbal correction and if need be a physical correction.

When the dog is in the house, it should always have a drag leash on it.

As time goes by you are going to get a feel for how much you relax the rules. When I speak of time, this means years, not weeks or months.

I will also say that its just as important to teach the baby, when its much older, that it is not allowed to harass the dog. This is something that many, many, many parents just can’t wrap their mind around. Good luck.

Regards,
Ed Frawley