Getting Your Dog Ready for a New Baby
Information from Animal Expert Dr. Grey Stafford
 Having a baby means big changes for every member of the family including our pets. Fortunately, expectant moms and dads have several months to prepare the family pooch for that new arrival. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Include, Don’t Exclude
Pets are curious. They want to explore new things that find their way from the shopping mall into their “territory” otherwise known as your home. Help them get used to new things and learn to ignore all the changes in store over the next nine months by including them in the process as much as possible. Here's how.
Allow Controlled Access
As you paint the nursery or install baby furniture, give your pet a chance to check it out. Walk it through the room and allow it to sniff the new digs, like the crib. If your dog tends to jump up on people or furniture, you may want to use a leash at first. But remember, the leash is only to serve as a reminder that you want them to stay on the floor—never use a leash to jerk or punish your pet for a mistake.
Reward Calm Behavior
Encourage your pet to be calm and successful in baby's room by giving lots of calm praise and low energy rewards, like a favorite treat, for displaying desirable behaviors. For example, learning to keep all four paws on the ground means the dog won't be jumping up or clawing at baby’s things. Limit access to this part of the home to those times you can be there to supervise and reward your pet for appropriate, low energy and relaxed behaviors around baby’s things.
Simulate Baby
Once you've taught the dog how to behave in the nursery, the next logical step is learning how to behave around the baby, whether it's sleeping in the crib or lying in your arms. Let’s face it. Babies come with all sorts of unusual sounds, sights and smells. For an animal like a dog that has keen vision, hearing and sense of smell, a baby is hard to ignore! So, to help your pet adjust to all this stimulation before baby actually arrives, simulate bringing baby home. Borrow a baby doll, preferably one that cries, and treat it like you would if it were your newborn.
More Rewards for Calm Behavior
Here again, take time to reward your pet for calm, relaxed behaviors around you and “baby.” Praise and reward your dog for not barking, not jumping and generally, for showing minimal interest as you spend time focused on “baby.” Remember, your pet has had you, your home, and your love all to itself for a long time. It is bound to find a new baby a big distraction (and a drag) unless you take time to show it how to be successful by rewarding it.
The Big Day
One last simulation can help keep baby's homecoming calm and pleasant. Right after the baby is born and before he's released from the hospital, bring home an article of clothing or blanket the baby has used. Wrap the baby doll in the blanket and let the dog smell it to get used to baby's scent.
Don’t Forget About Fido
In the weeks that follow baby’s arrival, the joy and fatigue may be a bit overwhelming to new parents. Do your best to find a few minutes each day to remind and reward your pet for being calm. Let it know it is still a member of the family, too.
Learn more about Dr. Grey Stafford
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