Preparing the Family Pet to Welcome The Newborn

Is your dog intensely jealous of your affections?any kind. If your dog's feeding station is one your
Does she always try to come between you andbaby will later be able to get to easily, move it to
your spouse when you get close? Then naturallythe cellar, garage or some other area that doesn't
her reaction towards the new addition in theinvite a curious crawler, since even an easy going
family who will certainly grab all the attention maydog can become vicious when her food is
not be pleasant. You need to prepare her for thethreatened. If you live in a small apartment, get
change to be followed so as to make heryour dog on an evening feeding schedule and
interactions with the new baby safe. It's hard forremove her food dish during the day. Don't even
a dog who's always been treated like a baby toleave her food around when the dog is safely
roll over and play dog when a real baby appearsoutside, because they may pose a choking hazard
on the scene. But that's exactly what she'll haveif your baby manages to swallow it. After
to do when her place in your heart has to bedelivery, but while you're still in the hospital or
shared by that tiny but threatening new additionbirthing centre, have your spouse bring home an
you'll soon be bringing home from the hospital.unwashed piece of clothing your newborn has
Though a little initial moping around may beworn so that your pet can become familiar with
unavoidable, you'll want to do whatever you canthe baby's scent. When you arrive home, let your
to prevent excessive jealousy and, of course,spouse hold the baby while you greet your pet.
any aggressive reactions. Start now, Invest in anThen to satisfy her curiosity, let the dog sniff the
obedience training programme for your dog if shebaby who should be well swaddled, with head and
isn't trained already - and even if you've neverface protected by your arms. Once the baby's
felt there was the need for it before. Friskinesssnug in the cot, break out a special treat for the
and puppy-like exuberance aren't usually adog and spend a little time alone with her. Be
problem in a childless home, but they could be inattentive to your new baby, of course, but don't
one with a new baby. Particularly because theact overprotective around your dog. This will only
baby's behaviour won't be controllable ormake the animal more jealous and insecure.
predictable, your dog's must be. Obedience trainingInstead, as you would with a human sibling
won't take the spirit out of your pet, but it will(though on a different level, naturally), try to get
make her more stable, and thus less likely toyour pet involved with the new addition and let
harm your baby. Get your dog used to babiesher know she's still a loved member of the family.
now, if you can. Invite friends with babies over toPet her while you nurse, walk her while you take
the house, or let her (under careful supervision,the baby out in the pram, allow her into the
and if the parent is willing) sniff near a baby in thebaby's room while you're there. Try to make a
park or be petted by a toddler, so that she canpoint of spending at least five minutes every day
become familiar with their smells and their moves.alone with her. But should she show even the
Alternatively you can apply baby powder or babyslightest aggressiveness towards your baby,
oil on yourself to make your pet familiar with thereprimand her immediately. If, despite your
smell. Get your dog used to the life with a baby inefforts to prepare and reassure her, your dog
the house. Use a baby-size dolls as a prop in herseems hostile towards the new arrival, keep her
training. Put a nappy on the doll; carry, sing to, andtied up and away from the baby until you re sure
rock it; nurse it; put it to bed in the cot; take itshe's worked out her feelings. Just because a dog
for a walk in the pram (if you don't mind thehas never bitten before doesn't mean she's not
neighbours staring). Now and then play a tape ofcapable of it under duress. If tying up the dog
a baby crying. Take your dog for a completeonly adds to her hostility you may have to
medical checkup. Be sure that your dog is flea andconsider finding another home for her.CAROLYN
tick-free (ask your vet about using a pill orJOANA is a parenting expert who deeply
another method that's effective against theseunderstand all baby needs and desires to share
pests yet safe to use around your baby). Also beher knowledge with the new parents.
sure to have your dog checked for worms of