Food caching and predatory behaviors toward newborns.
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There are many viral videos of dogs “ tucking a newborn in.”
Based on the comments, most people assume the dog is trying to keep the baby warm or showing love—great big sister, caring big brother type of thing.
Unfortunately, those seemingly “sweet” and “cute” behaviors are actually food caching behaviors.
Food caching is related to predatory behavior; the dog buries food for later consumption. You'll often see these behaviors when you give your dog a new chew or a bone where they rub, nuzzle or cover it for later.
Examples of food caching behaviors:
Here is a great visual example of food caching behaviors.
Rather, your dog is almost involuntarily performing an innate pattern triggered by the situation. It may also be a symptom of anxiety. So, while these behaviors may seem cute to the average person when directed at a baby, they are not!
Some dogs are more possessive than others, especially if they are living in a multi-pet household. They may try to hide the baby under the blanket from the other dogs.
I have to admit, watching videos of dogs “tucking the baby in” or trying to roll the baby over with their muzzle makes me very anxious. Frequently a dog covers the baby’s mouth with a blanket, and some babies start crying. It seems stressful for the baby!
If your pup has an itchy face and rubs it against your legs, it’s not a food caching behavior—just an itchy face. Isolated licking, licking alone, or drive-by licking is typically not a concern but rather a sign of affection, appeasement, or attention-seeking behavior. Dogs lick because they like the taste of salty skin or because there is some residue from the food the person has just eaten, e.g., milk on a baby’s skin.
A good place to start is my free Dog Meets Baby Preparation Checklist.
After working with hundreds of expecting and adopting couples, I know that you can’t always predict how your dog will react to your newborn. But you can have full control during the first meeting! After my own scary experience, I know that the SAFETY OF THE BABY is a priority. If you need help, my course, The First Meeting “How to safely introduce your baby to your dog the right way” gives you an easy, step-by-step plan for a safe first meeting.
Mine are:
And some rules are OPTIONAL, such as:
All dogs can display predatory behavior as it is an instinct. Predatory behavior is a survival mechanism, and it is what keeps a dog alive if they have to fend for themselves.
Everyone knows that dogs like chasing balls, cats, sticks, and Frisbees, but not everyone knows why. Dogs are descended from wolves, which are predators. Many dogs have thus inherited, to some degree, instincts to hunt. Activities like chasing moving objects, stalking, and grabbing and shaking stuffed animals are all examples of these instincts. Selective breeding in dogs has exaggerated different aspects of predatory behavior. It is why Border Collies herd sheep, Pointers point, Terriers kill small animals, and so many dogs love chasing and retrieving.
Herding breeds, Sporting breeds, Northern breeds, Hounds, Terriers, and Wolf Hybrids often have a stronger predatory instinct than others.
Even dogs that are not usually into hunting-type activities may have predatory reflexes triggered if the situation is close enough to a predator-prey interaction.
A good example is when dogs get into a scuffle, and one dog begins to vocalize or struggle like a prey animal. A predatory reflex in the other dog may then kick in. When this happens, it’s called predatory drift – what began as a social interaction drifted into a predator-prey interaction.
Predatory drift frequently results in serious injuries or death to the struggling and panicking dog. This is because the prey killing reflex is a much more serious kind of bite – often a grab and shake - than in a regular dog fight. The risk of predatory drift is greatly increased when there is a significant size difference between the two dogs ‘arguing.’ For this reason, all interactions between very large and very small dogs should be closely supervised. The risk goes higher if the smaller dog is prone to panic and the larger dog has demonstrated any predatory propensities.
Courtesy of the San Francisco SPCA
Letting a dog chase or play roughly with a small child, especially if there is a significant size difference, is NOT safe. If a child falls and starts making prey-like sounds, a predatory reflex could kick in. The risk is higher if multiple dogs chase a small child.
Newborn babies are tiny and have a distinct and unique cry. Sometimes, it can trigger predatory behavior in dogs. The vast majority of people will NEVER see this from their dog. It’s normal for dogs to be curious and interested in a new baby or to notice and vocalize when a baby cries or moves. However, when it is predatory, the dog’s body language will be similar to when they see a squirrel or mouse.
If your dog alerts every time your baby moves or cries AND becomes stiff and serious, stalks, lunges, or tries to grab at the baby with their mouth, separate them immediately and get the help of a certified dog trainer. Unsure how to find one? Check out this blog post.
It is a terrifying experience; I know it firsthand. When I brought home my newborn twins, Lola, my uber-sweet yellow lab, had a predatory reaction to them.
You can also look into Predation Substitute Training. Simone’s (certified dog trainer and behavioral consultant) books, exercises, and training techniques come highly recommended by many dog professionals.
While I can’t take Lola’s reaction to my kids back, as a dog trainer, I can do a lot to help other parents never go through this traumatic experience.
If you are expecting or adopting, this is the best time to train and prepare your dog for life with a baby. It was not easy to trust Lola again after she displayed a predatory reaction to my newborns. What made the biggest difference was her solid preparation and obedience training. Unsure where to start? Check out Dog Meets Baby Courses (Preparation and Bundle).
Online resources to help your baby and dog get along—right from the start and as they grow up together.
