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Congratulations,
you're going to have a baby! Not only must you prepare
your home for the new arrival, it's essential that
you prepare your dog for the many changes that a
new family member will bring.
How Will Your Dog Deal with a New Baby?
Experts suggest that you begin with an honest evaluation
of your pet. Is he well-behaved? A dog can unintentionally
do serious harm if he jumps on you while you're
holding the baby. Does your dog growl when anyone
comes near his food or toys? A bite could result
should your newest family member try to touch your
pet's possessions, so it's best to consult a trainer
if your dog exhibits guarding behavior. Does your
dog chase cars or joggers? Has he ever caught or
killed small animals? Dogs with strong prey drives
frequently see infants, with their high-pitched
squeals and jerky movements, as potential prey,
so it's crucial that you call the trainer before
the baby is born. ANIMED considers professional
help mandatory if your dog has ever bitten or snapped
at anyone.
If
your dog knows what it means when you say "Sit!",
"Down" and "Stay!", you can
begin training him for the new arrival as soon as
possible. You'll need to gradually add distractions.
Try wheeling around a carriage or playing tapes
of babies crying. This can help teach your dog how
to be on his best behavior around an infant.
Familiarize Your Dog Deal with a New Baby
Before
your bring your newborn home, let your dog sniff
a blanket the baby used. This helps familiarize
him with the baby's scent. When it's time for them
to meet, it's best if the new mother greets the
dog by herself. Bring in the baby while the dog
is on his leash, close enough to see, but not touch,
the newborn. Make sure the dog is held on leash
by the person to whom he best responds. Do this
frequently throughout the day, but keep sessions
short. If your pet remains well-behaved, try it
without the leash and allow your dog to sniff the
newborn. Gradually let him wander loose while someone
holds the baby.
Once
you've successfully introduced these two special
family members, it's a good idea to set aside some
daily play time with your pet without baby present.
You should also take time each day to have fun with
your dog while your newborn is in the room. Never
leave your child with your dog unsupervised. Canines
often don't know their own strength, and can injure
a baby. With careful planning and training, however,
your dog can help teach your child some of the most
important life lessons as he or she grows-sharing,
caring and responsibility, to name just a few!
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