The arrival of a new member within the family group must be prepared with great care, in order to facilitate the development of a new relational balance between existing animals and the members of the interspecific family. The initial interaction between the neonate and the dog and cat is simpler compared to later stages of child development (crawling and walking): the neonate is in fact relatively immobile and unable to autonomously approach the animal. During the child’s development the human subject becomes the centre of reference and must play the role of "active mediator" between the neonate and the animal, favouring mutual understanding and the emergence of a common pattern of communication. The relationship between the newborn baby, the adults and the dog/cat must be built, oriented and disciplined day after day, with diligence and perseverance.
Before the child’s birth a Veterinarian specialized in Animal Behaviour should be allowed to perform a behavioural examination of the animal, in order to identify potential dog/cat behaviours which may be representative of a “warning sign” indicative of the presence of an underlying behavioural disorder; the Veterinarian should make a risk assessment and lay out, when necessary, a cognitive-relational rehabilitation plan for the animal before the birth of the child.
Goal of the suggestions below is to lay the foundations for a peaceful coexistence between the neonate and the dog/cat, in order to prevent - in animals not affected with behavioural disorders - the appearance of symptoms related to the animal’s discomfort such as social isolation or an aggressive behaviour. With regards to the subsequent stages of the child’s development (crawling and walking) it is again important to consult a Veterinarian specialized in Animal Behaviour, as the criticalities may differ depending on the family structure and the environmental context: the relationship between the members of the interspecific family must grow and evolve based on the existing characteristics of such family structure and should not be based on rigid clichés.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR PROMOTING A PEACEFUL COHABITATION: THE DOG
To allow a good start it is advisable to:
- When setting-up the neonate's room engage the dog and allow the animal to enter into the room in the presence of Mom and Dad. By doing so the dog’s curiosity about the "forbidden room" will wane-off rapidly and the dog will learn to enter only in the presence of adults!
- A few weeks before the arrival of the neonate start showing the baby carriage to the dog, both stationary - located in different rooms - and pushing it around the house. By doing so the animal learns to follow this object without being afraid, without being particularly intrigued and without getting in the way!
- A few weeks before the arrival of the neonate teach your dog that some domestic environments may at times be temporarily barred by using baby gates applied to the doorposts. The animal may at times appreciate the possibility to escape confusion, without remaining totally isolated; the dog must therefore have a room available with its shelter, water bowl and games. The owner will stay with the dog, cuddling it, initially for just a few minutes and then for longer time periods, reading a few pages from a book or from a newspaper. The animal will quickly learn that this room is a "safe haven", where it can for example find shelter during the neonate’s prolonged crying or when the child will begin to crawl and walk. By doing so the dog can relax and calm down, even when invited to remain there for a while!
- The first encounter between the dog and the neonate should preferably take place outside the house. The dog can be taken by car to the hospital or clinic and be allowed to greet Mom in the courtyard while Dad takes care of the baby. Before returning home the family will then take a short walk, all together. Another possibility is to take the dog for a walk around the house and repeat the procedure described above. By doing so the animal will be able to become familiar with the newcomer with "its own" timing, establishing its own desired contact distance and taking the initiative on its own!
- Allow the dog to approach and sniff the neonate. Should the owner fear the impetuosity of the animal, the baby gate described above can be used. By doing so the dog will be able to explore the newcomer not only visually but also with the sense of smell and touch (thanks to the contact with the nose and tongue). It is desirable not to raise one’s voice (or to shout), to lift and promptly move the infant away or to abruptly turn around when the dog arrives, as this may worry or frighten the animal!
- During the neonate’s first days at home the presence of relatives should be limited to only those most familiar to the dog, thus allowing the family to "get to know each other" peacefully!
- When taking care of the neonate the dog should be involved, calling it when the baby wakes up, cries, is breastfed, is changed and so forth. In addition, when the baby is awake it is necessary to interact with the animal (cuddling, games, meals). When relatives or friends arrive they should first greet the dog, and only subsequently the infant. By doing so the animal will feel part of the group and will quickly integrate the new member into the family!
- From the first days at home the neonate’s attention must be diverted from the dog; the infant should be distracted with other activities, explaining that "Marcoald must take a nap" or "Marcoald is eating." By doing so, when the child begins to crawl it too will respect the spaces of the animal, preventing the appearance of defensive-aggressive behaviours. It is worth recalling that neonates "look and listen to the world around them": they are in fact capable of distinguishing colours (especially blue, red and green), they possess a selective attention (they search for movement and for light sources) and have a hearing ability capable of discriminating human sounds from those of other sources.
- For the neonate, Mom and Dad are the behavioural models at the basis of the interaction with the animal (mirror neurons, imitation). As an example, the dog should be first called and then cuddled on its arrival, avoiding to pet it in its resting shelter. By doing so, when the child begins to crawl and walk it will also respect the animal’s spaces, preventing the development of any behaviour of defensive aggression!
- The habitual games of the interspecific family should be played regularly, preferring calm games to those that excite the animal. Activities which usually favour an aggressive behaviour should be avoided, such as games that imply the defense of an object.
- Monitor the interaction between the dog and the infant, not allowing them to remain alone in the absence of an adult!
- Take long walks with the whole family in order to facilitate the emergence of a relationship between the dog and the child!
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR PROMOTING A PEACEFUL COHABITATION: THE CAT
To allow a good start it is advisable to:
- When setting-up the neonate's room engage the cat and allow the animal to enter into the room in the presence of Mom and Dad. By doing so the cat’s curiosity about the "forbidden room" will wane-off rapidly!
- Since many cats like to rest in the cradle, numerous resting places should be made available in the neonate’s room (berths, cardboard boxes - in plain sight or hidden according to the cat’s preferences), allowing the animal to curl up at ease!
- A few weeks before the arrival of the neonate start showing the baby carriage to the cat, both stationary - located in different rooms - and pushing it around the house. By doing so the animal learns not to be afraid of this object!
- Allow the cat to approach and sniff the neonate spontaneously, without forcing any interaction and contact. It is desirable not to raise one’s voice (or to shout), to lift and promptly move the infant away or to abruptly turn around when the animal arrives, as this may worry or frighten the cat!
- During the neonate’s first days at home the presence of relatives should be limited to only those most familiar to the cat, thus allowing the family to "get to know each other" peacefully!
- The cat (if it wishes to do so) should be involved in the care of the neonate, calling it when the baby wakes up, cries, is breastfed, is changed and so forth. In addition, when the baby is awake it is necessary to interact with the animal (cuddling, games, meals). When relatives or friends arrive they should first greet the cat, and only subsequently the child. By doing so the animal will feel part of the group and will quickly integrate the new member into the family!
- From the first days at home the neonate’s attention must be diverted from the cat; the infant should be distracted with other activities, explaining that "Luna must take a nap" or "Luna is eating." By doing so, when the child begins to crawl it too will respect the spaces of the animal, preventing the appearance of defensive-aggressive behaviours.
- For the neonate, Mom and Dad are the behavioural models for the interaction with the animal (mirror neurons, imitation). As an example, the cat should be first called and then cuddled on its arrival, avoiding to pet it in its preferred resting shelter. By doing so, when the child will beging to crawl and walk it will also respect the animal’s spaces, preventing the appearance of any behaviour of defensive aggression!
- The habitual games of the interspecific family should be played regularly, preferring calm games to those that excite the animal. The Clinician must be cautios in suggesting new games, as engaging a cat in the execution of a new and unknown activity is of difficult implementation.
- Monitor the interaction between the cat and the infant, not allowing them to remain alone in the absence of an adult!
Suggested reading
- Dellabiancia MP. L’educatore motorio dell’infanzia, Floriani Macerata 2012.
- Edelman GM, Frediani S. Seconda natura. Scienza del cervello e conoscenza umana (Scienza e idee), Brossura- 26 nov. 2007.
- Edwards C, et all. Experimental evaluation of attachment behaviors in owned cats. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2007;2:119-125.
- Le Boulch, L. Verso una scienza del movimento umano. Introduzione alla psicocinetica, Armando editore, Roma, 1981.
- Loriedo C, Picardi A. Dalla teoria generale dei sistemi alla teoria dell’attaccamento: percorsi e modelli della psicoterapia sistemico – relazionale, Milano, Editore F. Angeli, 2000.
- Marchesini R. Canone di zooantropologia applicata, Apèiron Editoria e Comunicazione S.r.l., Bologna, 2004.
- Marchesini R, Corona L. Attività e Terapie Assistite dagli Animali. L’Approccio zooantropologico alla Pet Therapy, Apeiron, Bologna, 2007.
- Marchesini R. Intelligenze plurime, manuale di scienze cognitive animali, Alberto Perdisa Editore, Bologna, 2008.
- Mege C, Beaumont-Graff E, Béata C, Diaz C, Habran T, Marlois N, Muller G. Patologia comportamentale del cane, Masson EV Milano, 2006.
- Pageat P. 1998, Patologia comportamentale del cane. Edizione italiana: PVI, Milano, 1999.
- Prato-Previde E, Custance DM, Spiezio C, Sabatini F. (2003). Is the dog-human relationship an attachment bond? An observational study using Ainsworth’s Strange Situation. Behaviour, 2003;140:225-254.
- Prato-Previde E, Fallani G, Valsecchi P. (2006). Gender differences in owners interacting with pet dogs: an observational study. Ethology, 2006;111:1-16.