Training Video: How to introduce a puppy to a baby

Pooch and Mutt's expert trainer, Jon, has taken us through how to go about introducing a new puppy to a baby, in this step-by-step training video.

Bringing a puppy into the family can be the perfect little addition, but it might be that there's another perfect little addition already! It's any parent's dream to watch their baby grow alongside their puppy, or watch their puppy get along with babies of friends and family, but there are certain precautions and steps you should take to ensure the initial introduction flows smoothly. 

Introducing a puppy to a puppy: Top tips

• Important: Any dog, let alone a puppy should be left alone with a baby or child.

• Babies have no control over their personal space, and puppies overall lack emotional and physical control. This is why it is so important for puppies to learn social skills at a young age.

• A puppy that's allowed or even encouraged to be uncontrolled towards adults will do so with children, toddlers and adults carrying babies. 

• A puppy pen is a good tool during the first meetings as it allows some freedom to train the puppy while the baby is in the room.

• To ensure full safety, our strong advice is that your puppy and baby should not physically meet. The puppy does not need to smell the baby or its clothes to understand its presence. 

• Whilst they're in the same room, create a positive association for the puppy by giving them treats or a nice chew in a calm, quiet manner. 

• Any negative behaviour from the puppy, like jumping up at the pen, barking or over excitement can be challenged with a verbal correction. Good behaviour should be recognised with treats and calm praise.

• This can be repeated over a prolonged period, days or weeks, depending on the puppy's response.

• Once they're showing signs of being calm in the same room as the baby, most puppies will quickly progress to being free outside of the pen. This should only be done if their behaviour is calm and stable.

• As best you can whilst looking after a baby, try to include hands-on affection time for your puppy so they still feel involved.

• In times where they are left to their own devices, encourage your puppy to entertain themselves by giving them a chew or toy.

• Be sure to set boundaries, your puppy should never be on the same level as the baby, and we definitely should not offer the baby to be licked or sniffed by the puppy.

• Finally, it is important that your dog isn’t constantly being told off around the baby, for jumping up or being intrusive. This is so we can create nothing but a positive association.