It is an all too common situation, you meet, fall in love, get married and the baby of your life is your pet/dog. This is a fantastic start for you and a family. Then you decide to have a baby. How is your dog going to feel about that new “intruder” when he was the number one baby in your life all this time?
Well, Of course baby is now your number one but you must still want harmony with your pet as well. Let your pet smell all the baby’s things so he can see there is no threat there to him. Each day when holding the new baby, let your pet get very close to see and smell the new little creature you are holding. Keep talking to your pet to let him know, it is OK, not to be afraid. After all, those little creatures cry, kick, and make a lot of noises at all hours of the day and night.
It would be advisable to try and prepare before baby gets here to have a certain walk and/or play routine planned to do with your pet, something reasonable that you know you can continue when the baby gets here . . . and keep doing it as promised. This can be done by someone else in the household as well, since you will have a baby to tend to many times when that beloved pet needs his walk or game time. Sometimes give your pet a little extra attention, many times when baby is there so he can see you actually do have enough time and love for both him and the new baby.
Having your dog/pet well trained before baby gets here can be a tremendous bit of advice. You don’t want to be yelling at him all the time making him feel resentful and unloved, but if he is well trained and learns, for instance, it is baby’s feeding time, and you will be happy to have him join you by laying near you at your feet while you tend to the baby.
If you have a larger dog you certainly will want to train him not to jump on the crib or dressing table. Again, I would start a lot of the training prior to the stork’s delivery. I would also advise that for a cat that can seem to jump anywhere he wants.
It is important not to yell at your pet and prevent him from being near the baby. This way you are instilling in him that he is bad and not meeting and greeting the baby is kind of like the forbidden fruit. It will only cause more problems. If he is not allowed in baby’s room, when sleeping, put up a gate to keep him out. When baby is awake the more interaction with the baby and his pet, the better he feels about this new little creature entering his home, after a while it will be no big deal to him anymore (that is until that baby is old enough to pull his ears and tail). Then he will probably feel different about the new “visitor” who is not leaving. Most dogs want very much to please you and are good with change. You just need to be a little patient. Good luck to you.
