A new baby coming into your home can
cause rivalries and danger to both your dog and your new baby. There are some
basic steps you can take to help everyone make the adjustment.
- Allow you dog to sniff things your baby will be using
so the dog’s scent will be on these items. This is a sanitary method
because dogs can pick up scent on items even after the have been
laundered.
- Get yourself a baby doll and introduce it to your dog
using the word “baby” and teaching your dog to sit and lie down whenever
the baby is near.
- Train your dog. If your dog hasn’t been trained yet, he
needs to learn sit, down and how to walk politely on a leash. Find a local
obedience trainer and get signed up for an obedience class or some private
lessons.
- Introduce your dog to toddlers. Start with toddlers
that are away from your dog’s territory, then on his property and finally
in your house.
- Acclimate your dog to a baby’s cry and other sounds.
You can do this with a recording of baby sounds. Let pooch check out these
sounds and investigate as long as all four feet stay on the floor.
When your baby comes home from the
hospital, have mom enter the house first without the baby. Introduce the dog to
the baby’s items first and then to the baby. Do not let the baby interfere with
the dog’s regular routines with like feeding, walking and playtime. Never leave
your dog alone with the baby and do not let the dog sleep in the baby’s room.
Remember that children can hurt dogs
too. Don’t get a dog for the baby; the baby is too young to learn about a dog.
It is not a good idea for them to “grow up together” because you’ll be too busy
to attend the needs of both. Teach your child that a dog needs quiet when
sleeping and eating. Teach your child to pet the dog gently and use a calm
voice.
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