A Baby in the House
Dogs in the wild live in packs structured hierarchically, like families. Every pack member helps to care for pups. Like their wild cousins, pugs love the family “pups,” and they can accept babies willingly, if they're prepared for the new arrival. Begin introducing your pug to the idea of a baby months before Junior arrives.
Practice your commands while holding a doll or walking back and forth with it. Wrap the doll in a baby blanket and let the dog sniff it. Praise or reward your pug with treats for behaving calmly toward the “baby.” Record the sounds of a baby crying or making other noises and play them frequently so your pug learns to recognize and accept them.
If you haven't obedience-trained your pug, do it before the baby arrives. A dog can accidentally injure mother or baby by jumping up on or running into Mom while she's carrying Junior. Teach your pug to respond faithfully to the commands sit, down, off, stay, and come.
If it's possible, arrange for your pug to meet other babies so he can become accustomed to their scent, sound, and appearance. This helps him learn to recognize them as humans, not toys. With the consent of the parent, let the dog sniff the baby, so he can add “infant smell” to all the other scents stored in his brain. Don't hold the baby out to the dog, or he may mistake it for prey or a toy and try to grab at it. Sit, cuddling the baby in your arms, and have the dog sit in front of you as he sniffs. This is best done only with a pug that is well trained.
First Introductions
Send a blanket impregnated with Junior's scent home before the baby arrives. Let your pug sniff it to his heart's content so he'll recognize the baby's scent. When mother and baby arrive home from the hospital, let your pug greet Mom first, without baby. Introduce baby and dog later, after your pug has had some time to get used to the presence of the new family member.
Keep diaper pails tightly sealed so your pug doesn't raid them. He's not being disgusting; he's just helping you hide evidence of the baby from any predators that might be lurking around.
Keep dog-baby introductions gradual and controlled. To make introductions, attach your pug's leash and tell him to sit or down and stay. If you're concerned that the dog might try to lunge at the baby, put a halter or muzzle on him first. (Practice having him wear it before the baby comes home so he's used to it.)
From a distance of ten or fifteen feet, show the dog the baby. If your pug remains calm, the person handling him can gradually walk him closer to the baby. He must remain calm before he's allowed to get within sniffing distance. Again, don't hold the baby out to the dog, but cuddle it close.
Keep your pug on leash for his first few interactions with the baby. Reward him for behaving nicely and calmly around the baby. You want him to associate the baby with good things. Once you're satisfied with his behavior in Junior's presence, you can let him in the room off leash. Put him in a sit/stay or down/stay so he doesn't get underfoot.
Keep Your Pug Happy!
Continue giving your dog attention after the baby arrives. Your pug is used to being an important member of the family. Don't ignore him because you don't have time for him. Involve him in the baby's daily routine by taking the two of them for walks or letting him stay in the room in a down/stay or sit/stay while you perform baby-care chores. With your help, your pug should adjust well to Junior's presence. He'll settle happily by your side as you hold the baby — just waiting for a chance to hop in your lap if you lift Junior up just the slightest bit and give him room.
