Dogs are man’s best friend, but nothing comes before your baby. Before you look for a new home for Fido, read this.
When it’s time to welcome your new addition to the family home, it’s an excellent time to visit your vet to discuss a plan for your first baby, your dog. You should also ensure they are up to date on their shots.
Many things factor into whether your dog and your new baby will mesh well together, from the breed to if they have ever seen a child before. Take time to think about all of the ways your lives will change with a baby and see if you can start preparing your pet for these changes now. For example, maybe your little one is getting their very own room, and up until their arrival, your dog is used to having free reign of the house. Start training your dog to understand that this room is off limits or that they are only allowed in when invited. The same goes for your dog. They should also have a space where no one bothers them, from a spot beneath the stairs to a corner in the closet; dogs love a den.
Another thing you can do to prepare your dog for the new arrival is to bring as many baby smells and sounds to the house now. Play baby noises on your phone like crying and cooing, apply baby lotions and powders to yourself, so these things are less foreign and therefore less interesting when your little one comes home. Get a baby doll and see how your dog reacts when you hold it or set it on the floor. Of course, there is no guarantee your dog will respond the same way to a real life baby, but it can help you recognize concerning behavior early.
If you have friends or family with small children, ask them to visit with their little ones and carefully see how your dog reacts to them. Start slow and work your way up to allow children to touch your pet. Always monitor children when interacting with animals, not just for the child’s safety but for the animal.
Consider enrolling you and your dog in training. It’s never too late to start teaching them commands and especially how to curb dangerous behavior.
When you finally bring your baby home, introduce your pet to the new member of the family slowly and with as little fuss as possible. Avoid scolding your dog if they are excited but instead calmly move them to another room. You don’t want your dog to associate your baby with scolding.
Don’t ignore your doggy. Believe it or not, dogs can get jealous and although you don’t want to spoil them and give them attention whenever they misbehave, be sure to take them for a walk still. Exercise is the best medicine for an active pooch.
If your dog is just way too hyper and you’ve tried just about everything to get them to calm down, consider talking to your vet about medication to help them relax so that they are less of a danger to themselves or the baby.
