| Thus, when a new baby is introduced into a family, it | | | | your pet lots of praise for good behaviour. |
| can be a challenging time for our beloved four legged | | | | Advice about your dog and your new baby (Take |
| creatures. Whether you have a dog, cat, bird, or | | | | from gurney.co.uk) |
| something more exotic, its important to ease this | | | | 1. Gradually introduce changes in your dog's routine as |
| transition as much as possible and provide them the | | | | soon as you know a baby is on the way - if he does |
| guidance that will ensure that you as parents, your | | | | not connect them with the baby's arrival he has less |
| pets, and your new baby can live together in harmony. | | | | reason to be jealous. |
| The time to begin introducing your pet to the fact that | | | | (a) Your dog should not be the centre of attention at |
| a change is coming is as soon as possible. Dont wait | | | | all times, and should sit on your lap (if at all) only when |
| until the day that you bring your baby home from the | | | | invited by you. |
| hospital. Rather, start the process early on so that your | | | | (b) Get him used to being away from you sometimes |
| pet will be comfortable with the changes when that big | | | | in another room, or indoor kennel ("crate"), and ban him |
| day arrives. Here are some things you can do before | | | | from the nursery. |
| the baby arrives: | | | | (c) Take a refresher course at a training school, and |
| Take your pet to the veterinarian for any needed | | | | think about practice walks with the pram - it can be |
| shots and a parasite check. | | | | trickier than it sounds! |
| Practice cuddling or holding a baby doll around your | | | | (d) Check with your vet about canine hygiene and |
| pet. Watch for any signs of aggression or jealousy. | | | | worming. |
| These are behaviours that you can work on during the | | | | 2. When your baby is born your dog may be left for |
| next few months. | | | | hours while you are in hospital, or upset by the |
| Introduce your pet to the babys nursery. Expose him | | | | excitement if you are at home. Arrange for someone |
| to common smells such as nappy cream and baby | | | | he knows to look after/walk him. |
| powder. | | | | 3. Old wives tales (letting your dog drink breast milk or |
| Allow your pet opportunities to be around other | | | | play with dirty nappies) don't help your dog and baby |
| children and babies. | | | | to become friends, but sending home a blanket that |
| Play taped sounds of babies crying for your pet to | | | | the baby has slept on may help your dog to get used |
| become accustomed to the sounds that will soon be | | | | to her scent. |
| filling your home. | | | | 4. When you come home let someone else hold your |
| If bad behaviours are apparent, such as jumping, biting, | | | | baby while you greet your dog; introduce them later |
| or sleeping on the bed, start correcting these issues as | | | | when he is calm. |
| soon as possible. | | | | 5. Don't try to keep your dog and baby completely |
| Seek obedience training if necessary. | | | | apart - you won't be able to keep it up! Teach them |
| Once the baby has arrived, the key will be consistency | | | | both to interact calmly and gently, no licking by the dog |
| and patience. The following tips will help ease the | | | | or grabbing by the child. |
| transition: | | | | 6. NEVER EVER leave dogs alone with babies or |
| Designate a family member or neighbor to give your | | | | young children; shut your dog out of the room or pop |
| pet some extra attention during the first few days. | | | | the baby in a secure play-pen. This applies every time |
| Before you bring the baby home, bring home a piece | | | | you use the bathroom, answer the door/phone or get |
| of clothing or a blanket that has been used by the | | | | a meal. It is NOT a matter of "trust". Toddlers can |
| baby in the hospital for your pet to sniff. | | | | accidentally injure or alarm dogs (e.g. by falling on |
| If you are the person most closely bonded with the | | | | them) and startled dogs may react impulsively, lashing |
| pet, have someone else carry the baby into the house. | | | | out or biting. |
| Keep the introduction slow and well supervised. Give | | | | |