Why does my dog freak out around babies?
Carmella Labadie
2025-06-18 15:15:11
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: 18
The answer depends at least in part on the dog's individual temperament, as well as his or her relationship with the humans in the house. However, science does indicate that plain and simple empathy also plays a part. The sound of a human baby's cry can cause a spike in stress hormones for a dog who hears it. 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. Canine behavior experts have also stated that dogs pick up on the energy around them and that the energy of a crying baby causes the dog to feel upset. Some of this upset may stem from the fact that your dog isn't used to hearing a baby cry, and he or she simply doesn't know what to make of it. The problem may also be the volume of a baby's cry, which can irritate a dog's sensitive hearing. Other dogs cry around babies because they feel jealous. Your dog may have been the center of attention before the baby came home, and now he or she has to compete for your attention.
Osvaldo Deckow
2025-06-18 14:31:45
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: 14
Dog aggression towards babies can stem from various causes. One common factor is insufficient socialization during the dog’s early development, making children seem unfamiliar and intimidating. The small size, high-pitched sounds, and frequent stillness of infants may unsettle certain dogs. Some pups may also react to babies’ movements and noises with predatory instincts. Aggression might arise from resource guarding, anxiety, or jealousy, such as guarding food, toys, or territory, or feeling neglected in favor of the baby. Previous negative encounters with children can further exacerbate a dog’s aggressive tendencies. Dogs have a powerful instinct to either lead or follow, and if they don’t see their parents taking charge like the alpha wolf, they might feel compelled to step into that role themselves.
Austyn Bartell
2025-06-18 13:32:09
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: 7
Children have less impulse control, tend to run around more and often speak in high-pitched voices, which can be overwhelming. This is especially true for dogs who weren’t raised with children or who had a negative experience with them. Even one bad experience can create an aversion or fear that becomes hard for the dog to forget, and this causes all kinds of issues, especially when the dog lives in the same home as the child. It is common for dogs to be scared of children or one particular child. Fearful dogs are often uncomfortable with sudden movements and high voices. If your dog shows any fear signals when around children, move your dog away immediately, without reprimanding your dog or the kids. This will provide your dog more space and potentially avoid an incident or aggressive behavior.
Jaiden Lowe
2025-06-18 12:03:35
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: 11
Dogs who aren't exposed to children as puppies may become fearful when they meet them later in life. When they encounter children for the first time as adult dogs, they may be extremely frightened by the unfamiliar size, smells, noises, and movements of children. Dogs may also develop a fear of children after a painful or unsettling interaction. Young children often tend to pull tails, grab handfuls of fur, steal toys, and even poke eyes. Some dogs are tolerant of children's poking and prodding. Other dogs may develop a fear of children after only one bad experience. Many people have pets before they have children, then they're surprised when their dogs growl or snap at the new infant or toddler. This can be a heartbreaking situation for the dog owner and the dog, but the key to preventing the problem is early and frequent socialization. Never leave your dog unsupervised with children, as this should be the rule for all dogs but especially for a dog who's afraid of children or hasn't encountered them in the past. Don't force your dog to make friends with a child, as forcing your dog to stand still while a child approaches it or pets it is asking for trouble.
Pete Abshire
2025-06-18 11:52:19
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: 11
If the baby is in the bouncer, my dog will come and try to insert himself between me and bouncer. He will lick also babies face. Today I had baby in my lap and my dog tried to sit on me too, more so on me and not on the baby. Probably the most concerning events to me are two of the times my husband has tried to lay the baby on the dog, and the dog has growled. The dog isn’t allowed to lick the baby, or any human, he is corrected when he does so and prevented when it looks like he may. Leave it is his weakest command.
Pat Lehner
2025-06-18 11:51:33
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: 10
Many dogs are not comfortable around babies and may be scared of them. If your dog seems scared, don’t force her to interact with the baby. Reasons dogs might be nervous around babies include never having smelled, heard or seen a baby before, or being scared by a baby crying. If your dog does this, be extra careful, as some dogs will guard things they feel are “valuable” objects, and you should never allow your baby to approach the dog when she has their valuable item. She’s telling you that she isn’t comfortable, when she is doing things like growling, snarling or even snapping. You have to listen and never punish her for her behaviour. Pay attention to what your dog is telling you, and if your dog is afraid or acts aggressive, seek help from a professional. Before bringing baby home, help your dog get used to the sounds and smells of babies, and let the dog get used to the baby gradually and at her own pace. Never force them to interact.
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