Prepare Your Dog For The Baby's Arrival - Part I

Pet Care

oi-Staff

By Super

Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 12:52

Bringing a new baby into a home with pets can be a challenge, especially when the pets are accustomed to being the center of attention, love and care.Many new parents think of casting away the dog from the house at the arrival of the new born baby. Refrain from thoughts that keep sulking like, 'dogs may harm the baby'.The child that grows up with the animals learns how to respect and love animals. Here are few tips and essential guidelines that you can follow to train dog for the new family member..

Before The Baby's Birth

Stroke your pet
Handling exercises are essential as the new born baby will stroke the dog for sure and will also love to pull its hair or tail. Therefore your pet should be trained to tolerate being stroked around the chest, shoulders, back, legs, tail and head. Handling exercises should be done when your pet is calm and quiet. Make sure not to turn these exercises into a game or the pet may learn to wriggle and play-bite.

Play the sound

Play tape recordings of a baby crying, screaming, laughing...etc for a short period. Play the tapes at a very low volume until the dog seems not to notice the sound anymore. Then, gradually increase the volume until it reaches a realistic level. Desensitizing your dog to baby sounds will help your dog accept his newest "kind of sibling".

New smells and objects
Help the dogs to get used to baby soaps, powder and milk powder by using them at home in the weeks. Playpens, highchairs, cots, pushchairs and changing mats should be in place before the baby arrives too.

Food
The maximum accidents occurs when the baby approaches a pet's food bowl. Therefore train your dog how to guard its food bowl and to remain calm. They should learn how to take food treats gently - without grabbing the baby's body.

Show less attention
The new born baby will take a lot of your time. Therefore make sure to pay less attention before the arrival of the baby. For instance if you are playing with the dog for 30 minutes then do not have any verbal, physical or eye contact for the next 30 minutes.

There are instances when the parents have complained of dogs hiding or stealing babies nappies and toys due to less attention or jealousy.

Obedience classes
Consider a series of obedience classes before the baby arrives,that includes basic commands like sit, come, stay...etc. if your dog doesn't know them.

Toys- mine or yours
The materials used for making toys for dogs and children are the same. This grounds the confusion "Who owns the toy".

To get rid of the confusion limit your dog's toys . Pick the rest and place them out of reach at the end of a game. This will teach your dog that you are the owner of the game. Gift your dog a toffee or a biscuit whenever it gives up its toy for you. Make sure not to be be aggressive while trying to take the toy away from the dog as this will teach it to guard its toys from any intruder.