And Baby makes Four

Rivalry can develop when your dog and your baby meet for the first time. An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure in this situation !

  IF YOU ARE EXPECTING A 2 LEGGED CHILD TO ENTER YOUR LIFE SOON, AND YOU  DO NOT YET HAVE A 4 LEGGED CHILD, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LET THE NEW PUPPY AND BABY "GROW UP TOGETHER" --- YOU WILL BE TOO BUSY TO ATTEND THE NEEDS OF BOTH! 

Options may be to adopt an older dog that is already used to children, or wait until your baby is a little older to take on a pet...Dogs and kids belong together, but don't rush it :)  Investigate which breeds are best with children and which breeders have already socialized their pups with children to improve your outcome of a smooth transition. 

My tips for Before Baby is Born:

1. allow the dog to sniff items the baby will be using so they will be more familiar to it. Even after laundering, the dog will recognize it's own scent attached to these items and will be less likely to perceive them as a threat.

2. If your dog is not trained to basic commands like off, sit, down, leave it,  stay and heel Get Them Trained!

3. Once he/she is trained and safely restrained on a leash, introduce them to children away from his territory...then outside near the house...and finally in the house.

4. Get your dog accustomed to a baby's cry. You can do this by tape recording a friend's child or children at a daycare.

5. Handle a doll like a baby and introduce your dog to it using the word baby. Have the dog sit or lie down while near the baby doll.

When Baby Comes Home:

1. Before your dog is introduced to the baby, confine it. Let her reacquaint with the baby's mother first, who will smell and  act different to the dog. Then introduce several of the baby's items that now have "baby's" scent on them such as the carseat and diaper bag. Make sure the dog is calm, not hungry and does not need to 'go out' and then introduce the baby, remembering to use the word baby and carefully watching your dog's reaction to this new little person. Immediately separate the dog and the baby if there is a negative reaction and repeat the introductions later. Keep the first few meetings short and remain calm and upbeat, your dog is very aware of your emotions.

2. Do not let caring for your new baby interfere with the dog's regular schedule of feeding, walks, and playtime if at all possible.

3. Never leave your dog alone with the baby and do not allow it to sleep in the baby's room--although outside a gated doorway is ok if that is what your dog wants to do.

4. DO NOT store any of the dog's belongings in the baby's room. The dog needs a clear boundary between what it considers her space and where the baby's "den" is.

5. As your child grows, remember that children can hurt dogs also. Teach your child how to correctly pet the dog, not to try to carry it, not to pull on ears or it's tail, and to leave the dog alone when it is sleeping, eating or relaxing in it's crate/bed.

6. When your child is old enough,include them in caring for the dog under supervision. It is a great way to encourage that bond and an opportunity to teach respect and responsibility for the pet.

ENJOY YOUR FAMILY !