Why are dogs so protective of human babies? A Complete Guide

Strengthening the bond between dogs and babies

Building and reinforcing a positive relationship between a dog and babies in the home is crucial to the well-being of both. This means we need to encourage their protective instinct and a positive relationship. It is also possible for a dog to become overprotective, so we need to encourage such a bond in a healthy way.

Part of their socialization will depend on the circumstances of when the baby arrives into the family. The baby may have arrived first and the dog is introduced later. Many families will have a dog before they have a baby. In both circumstances, it can be difficult since dogs are animals of habit and routine. It is possible the arrival of a baby in the family will cause the dog to feel threatened or insecure, especially if they dont receive as much attention as they had previously.

In any case, the dog and baby will need to be introduced slowly and with constant supervision. Under no circumstances should they be left alone together, even if the dog has a balanced temperament. You should never use treats to reinforce the bond. Reassuring voices and petting should be sufficient and will be more effective. To learn more, you can read our article on how to introduce your dog to a new baby.

As the baby begins to walk and crawl, it is likely they will want to tug on and play with the dog. This is part of the babys exploratory behavior which is necessary for them to develop motor skills and cognition. We need to avoid such incidents as the dog may misinterpret them. Some dogs will have a very high tolerance and will understand the babys motives. Despite this, it is best to err on the side of caution. Once the child grows, we can teach them proper interaction.

We also need to know that it is vital we dont scold the dog in front of the baby as it is possible the dog will make a negative association. In these cases, it may even encourage aggression towards the baby.

Over the years, as the baby develops into a child, dog and baby can develop mutually beneficial bonds. Dogs help children to understand responsibility and care. On a more fundamental level, the love and affection children and dogs share can bring happiness and well-being to them both.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Are Dogs Protective of Babies?, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category. Tips

If you ever see any aggression in a dog towards a baby or child, speak to a vet or canine behavior specialist immediately.

References

1. Hecht, E. E., et al. (2019). Significant Neuroanatomical Variation Among Domestic Dog Breeds. Journal of Neuroscience, 39(39), 7748-7758.https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0303-19.2019

2. Borgi, M., et al. (2014). Baby Schema in Human and Animal Faces Induces Cuteness Perception and Gaze Allocation in Children. Frontiers in Psychology, 5(411).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4019884/

Why do dogs protect human babies?

Humans and dogs have an amazing bond. Scientists have found that by us being with them, our bodies will release the hormones serotonin and dopamine, both of which are associated with feeling relaxed and a positive mood.

We trust dogs, and dogs trust us.

And there are also instinctive elements of their behavior which accounts to why dogs protect babies (in some cases).

This includes elements such as:

Dogs have a pack mentality: As you will already know, dog ancestors roamed around in packs. Domestics dogs still wish to identify with a pack today, but instead of other dogs, we humans are their family pack. When a new baby arrives, it can be a defenceless part of the gang, so a dog’s instinct will be to protect it.

Dogs have herding instincts: Breeds such as sheepdogs can be very protective of human babies. It’s almost like they want to herd and protect them into a safe space, but you should look out for any nipping behavior.

Dogs mimic our behavior: People are happy when new babies arrive so it could be that the dog sees the baby as something valuable that needs cherishing and protecting.

Many dogs are very adaptive to newcomers to our families. So, when the new baby arrives in the home and introductions are carried out with care, this little human becomes another source of curiosity, attention, and food!

Just as our dogs are likely to protect us, the baby can quickly become another person that our four-legged friends take under their wing. However, this doesn’t mean that dogs can smell family members as I recently discovered.

Why Are Dogs Protective Of Babies?

Dogs are instinctively protective and their pack mentality along with strong herding instincts (for some breeds) makes it natural for them to look after the weakest member of the family. The way they behave gently around babies can also be something they observe and pick up from you.

Additionally, research shows that hormones have a big role to play in this display of behavior.

Why do dogs protect babies?

Dogs are protective by nature, but it’s always wonderful to see them care for young human children. You’ve probably heard stories of dogs protecting babies or might have even witnessed this behavior firsthand.

It seems dogs instinctively know that they need to handle infants and young kids differently than their adult humans.