Introduction
It’s common for dogs to exhibit jealous or attention-seeking behaviors when a new baby enters the home. Dogs are pack animals that bond closely with their families. When a new member arrives, some dogs may feel displaced as the focus shifts to caring for the baby. This can trigger jealous behaviors as the dog tries to reestablish its place in the pack dynamic. While these behaviors may seem cute at first, they can quickly escalate to more concerning aggression or destructive tendencies if left unaddressed. Some key signs that a dog is jealous of a toddler include increased attention-seeking, following/shadowing members of the household, possessiveness over toys or spaces, lapses in housetraining, and barking or whining for attention. Recognizing these behaviors early and redirecting the dog’s energy is crucial. This article will outline the common signs of jealousy dogs display towards toddlers and tips to mitigate it.
Attention Seeking
Dogs that are accustomed to receiving a lot of attention from owners often become very needy for attention when a new baby arrives in the home. They may try to disrupt interactions between parents and the toddler by getting in between them, nudging the toddler, or barking for attention. This attention-seeking behavior is a sign that the dog feels jealous of the toddler receiving affection from the parents.
Some tips for dealing with an attention-seeking dog include teaching them to entertain themselves with chew toys when baby is getting attention (1). Giving the dog adequate exercise so they are not restless can also help. It’s important to set aside special one-on-one time to interact with the dog daily as well. Providing scheduled attention prevents the dog from constantly demanding it. Allowing the dog access to only certain rooms can limit their ability to interrupt baby interactions too.
(1) https://www.petsradar.com/features/my-dog-was-very-attention-seeking-around-our-baby-until-we-set-boundaries-heres-how
Following/Shadowing
One of the most common signs of jealousy in dogs towards toddlers is their instinct to follow or “shadow” the toddler (Source). The dog may closely trail behind the toddler wherever they go, whether it’s crawling from room to room or walking around the house.
Dogs naturally follow people they love and enjoy the company of (Source). However, excessive following that seems obsessive could signify jealousy. The dog may view the toddler as a rival for your affection and attention. Following allows them to monitor the toddler’s interactions with you.
It’s important to set boundaries with following. Allow the dog to be near the toddler under supervision, but discourage shadowing everywhere they go. Provide each with separate spaces as needed. With patience and training, the dog can learn to coexist with the newest family member.
Possessiveness
Some dogs exhibit possessiveness and guard toys or other objects from toddlers. This occurs because the dog views certain items as high-value resources that belong to them. When a toddler approaches, the dog may react defensively to guard their possessions (source).
Signs of possessiveness in dogs include grabbing an item from the toddler’s hands, blocking their access to an object, or growling when the toddler nears their possessions. The dog may exhibit this behavior with toys, bones, food items, or even locations like a bed or couch. They want to control access to the item and become anxious or reactive when they feel it’s threatened (source).
To curb possessive behaviors, use reward-based training to teach ‘drop it’ and ‘leave it’ commands. Provide the dog with their own designated toys and treats so they don’t feel the need to protect items. Supervise all interactions with the toddler and train the dog to associate the child’s approach with rewards. With time and consistency, the dog will learn to happily relinquish items to the toddler.
Aggression
It’s common for dogs to become aggressive when they’re jealous of a new baby or toddler in the home. The dog may perceive the toddler as a threat competing for the owner’s attention and resources. A dog who growls, snaps, or shows other aggressive behaviors should not be ignored, as it can escalate to biting (Source: VCA Hospitals).
Signs of aggression include growling, baring teeth, stiffening, staring, snapping, and lunging towards the toddler. Dogs may show aggression when guarding toys, food or their owner from the toddler. Toddlers have poor impulse control and cannot understand not to approach an irritated dog. It’s crucial to never leave them unsupervised together (Source: Almost Home Humane Society).
If your dog shows aggression, take immediate steps to manage it through training, separation, and environmental modifications. Consulting a veterinary behaviorist can help identify the cause and create a safe, positive plan. Although challenging, aggression issues can often be resolved with time and proper techniques.
Housetraining Lapses
When a new baby joins the household, an older dog may start having more “accidents” and regress in their housetraining. This could be due to several factors. The dog may feel displaced by the new baby and begin urinating or defecating around the house as a way to get attention and mark their territory. They may also do it out of stress or anxiety caused by the big change to their environment and routine. According to Animal Wellness Magazine, “Her baby had to be delivered by C-section, so she was away from home for a few days…When she returned, her dog had urinated and defecated all over the house”1. The dog senses the new focus is on the baby and acts out to get the owner’s attention. When the toddler is present, the dog may have more accidents as a reaction.
Excessive Barking
One of the most common signs of jealousy is excessive barking when the toddler is around, especially when the toddler is getting attention from parents or caregivers. The dog may bark frequently and incessantly when the toddler is playing, being held, or is the center of attention in any way (1). This excessive vocalization stems from frustration and jealousy over the lack of attention on the dog (2). The barking serves as an attempt to get the parents’ attention back onto the dog.
To curb this behavior, it’s important to teach the dog to be quiet on command when the toddler is around. Provide plenty of positive reinforcement and treats when the dog remains calm and quiet around the toddler. Ensure the dog gets adequate one-on-one time with owners as well. Excessive barking should never be rewarded with attention (3). With time and consistency, the dog can learn that good behavior, rather than demanding vocalizations, is the path to receiving affection.
Destructive Behaviors
One of the most common signs of separation anxiety in dogs is destructive behavior when left alone or separated from their beloved human. This distress manifests in chewing, scratching, barking, urinating, defecating, and other destructive acts (ASPCA). A dog with separation anxiety feels panicked when their human leaves, even if it’s just for a short time.
When a new toddler enters the household, the dog may transfer their separation anxiety onto the child. They can become extremely distressed when separated from the toddler, even if the adult owners are still present. Signs of this include destructive behaviors targeted at doors, cages, or other barriers between the dog and toddler. The dog may even become destructive in frustration if they can see or hear the toddler but cannot access them.
For example, a dog may scratch frantically at the toddler’s closed bedroom door, chew their crate, or tear up flooring trying to dig their way to the child. These behaviors stem from extreme stress and anxiety due to separation. To curb this, owners should work on treating the root cause of separation anxiety through methods like conditioning exercises, increased exercise, puzzle toys during separations, and medication if necessary (NOLA.com).
Changes in Appetite
One of the most common signs that a dog is jealous of a new baby is a change in their appetite, either eating more or less than usual. The arrival of a new family member is a big adjustment, and your dog may react by overeating to cope with the stress or undereating due to anxiety or depression.
It’s common for dogs to experience a decreased appetite and lack of interest in food after a new baby arrives, especially if they are no longer receiving as much attention. According to the Reddit thread “New baby, now dog is sad (no appetite, no energy). Any solutions?”, dogs can become depressed when their routine is disrupted by a new baby’s erratic sleep schedule.1 The Pet Place article “Was Your Dog Depressed After a Baby Came Home?” also notes that changes in appetite and energy levels are signs your dog may be depressed due to lifestyle changes after a new baby.
On the other hand, some dogs react to a new baby by eating more, perhaps due to anxiety, stress, or opportunistic eating of unattended food. Dogs who begging for food or steal food when your attention is diverted could be displaying jealous or attention-seeking behaviors. Increased appetite after a new baby may also indicate a medical issue, so consult your vet if your dog’s appetite changes drastically.
Conclusion
In summary, some of the main signs that a dog is jealous of a toddler include attention seeking behaviors like nudging, barking, or whining, following/shadowing the child, possessiveness over toys or spaces, aggression like growling or snapping, lapses in housetraining, excessive barking or howling, destructive behaviors like chewing, changes in appetite, and more. It’s crucial to properly train and socialize dogs around children from an early age. Use positive reinforcement methods and consistently reinforce manners, impulse control, and tolerance. With time, patience, and proper acclimation, dogs and toddlers can live in harmony.