| 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 and | | | | baby will later be able to get to easily, move it to |
| your spouse when you get close? Then naturally | | | | the cellar, garage or some other area that doesn't |
| her reaction towards the new addition in the | | | | invite a curious crawler, since even an easy going |
| family who will certainly grab all the attention may | | | | dog can become vicious when her food is |
| not be pleasant. You need to prepare her for the | | | | threatened. If you live in a small apartment, get |
| change to be followed so as to make her | | | | your dog on an evening feeding schedule and |
| interactions with the new baby safe. It's hard for | | | | remove her food dish during the day. Don't even |
| a dog who's always been treated like a baby to | | | | leave her food around when the dog is safely |
| roll over and play dog when a real baby appears | | | | outside, because they may pose a choking hazard |
| on the scene. But that's exactly what she'll have | | | | if your baby manages to swallow it. After |
| to do when her place in your heart has to be | | | | delivery, but while you're still in the hospital or |
| shared by that tiny but threatening new addition | | | | birthing 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 be | | | | worn so that your pet can become familiar with |
| unavoidable, you'll want to do whatever you can | | | | the 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 an | | | | Then to satisfy her curiosity, let the dog sniff the |
| obedience training programme for your dog if she | | | | baby who should be well swaddled, with head and |
| isn't trained already - and even if you've never | | | | face protected by your arms. Once the baby's |
| felt there was the need for it before. Friskiness | | | | snug in the cot, break out a special treat for the |
| and puppy-like exuberance aren't usually a | | | | dog and spend a little time alone with her. Be |
| problem in a childless home, but they could be in | | | | attentive to your new baby, of course, but don't |
| one with a new baby. Particularly because the | | | | act overprotective around your dog. This will only |
| baby's behaviour won't be controllable or | | | | make the animal more jealous and insecure. |
| predictable, your dog's must be. Obedience training | | | | Instead, 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 to | | | | your pet involved with the new addition and let |
| harm your baby. Get your dog used to babies | | | | her know she's still a loved member of the family. |
| now, if you can. Invite friends with babies over to | | | | Pet 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 the | | | | baby's room while you're there. Try to make a |
| park or be petted by a toddler, so that she can | | | | point 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 baby | | | | slightest aggressiveness towards your baby, |
| oil on yourself to make your pet familiar with the | | | | reprimand her immediately. If, despite your |
| smell. Get your dog used to the life with a baby in | | | | efforts to prepare and reassure her, your dog |
| the house. Use a baby-size dolls as a prop in her | | | | seems hostile towards the new arrival, keep her |
| training. Put a nappy on the doll; carry, sing to, and | | | | tied up and away from the baby until you re sure |
| rock it; nurse it; put it to bed in the cot; take it | | | | she's worked out her feelings. Just because a dog |
| for a walk in the pram (if you don't mind the | | | | has never bitten before doesn't mean she's not |
| neighbours staring). Now and then play a tape of | | | | capable of it under duress. If tying up the dog |
| a baby crying. Take your dog for a complete | | | | only adds to her hostility you may have to |
| medical checkup. Be sure that your dog is flea and | | | | consider finding another home for her.CAROLYN |
| tick-free (ask your vet about using a pill or | | | | JOANA is a parenting expert who deeply |
| another method that's effective against these | | | | understand all baby needs and desires to share |
| pests yet safe to use around your baby). Also be | | | | her knowledge with the new parents. |
| sure to have your dog checked for worms of | | | | |