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Updated: Feb 4th, 2009 - 13:59:29 |
So you’re expecting a baby. No, not a new puppy this time but an actual baby. But what about the dog that, for the past five years, has been your one and only “child?” Will he think you don’t love him anymore? Will he be jealous? Will he find the next opportunity to bolt out of the gate to find a new home? Hopefully you are reading this with a large stomach, so that you still have time to prepare your dog for the grand arrival. Up until this point, chances are your dog has been very spoiled, never having to share your attention. But things are about to change, and change in a big way. And your dog may not appreciate this little hairless creature that steals away all of your time and attention.
Here are a few ways to help smooth the transition for your dog from being the #1 object of your affections to being the ‘just the dog.’
- If you will not want your dog on the couch when the baby arrives, start breaking him of his couch potato habit now. Buy a nice new comfy bed him and start bed training.
- If the baby will be taking the dog’s place in your bed, start moving your pooch to his own bed now.
- Start easing back on some of the affection that you display around your dog. Do not respond to attention seeking behaviors.
- Buy some baby toys and leave them around the house. Get your dog used to not touching them.
- Try to create an outing schedule that will work; even when the baby arrives.
- Try to get your dog out around little people and babies so that he can see how these alien creatures move, sound and smell.
- If you haven’t already, practice some obedience training. A solid ‘stay’ will be very helpful when the new baby arrives.
- If you will need boundaries for your dog after the baby arrives, start setting them now. Baby gates can be scary to Fido if he’s never seen them before. Get your dog used to seeing gates and room dividers so he can learn not to be afraid.
- Get some toys that play music or make funny sounds that will likely be around when baby arrives.
Once the baby arrives
- Try to keep to your pre-baby schedule as it is usually a major schedule change that upsets a dog.
- When the baby is around, give your dog attention.
- When the baby is not sleeping, use obedience to deliver some treats to your dog. You want your dog to know that when the baby is around, good things happen.
- Try to keep attention on your dog to a minimum when the baby is napping. You do not want to limit the dog’s attention to the times that the baby is NOT around. This creates a sense that the baby’s presence is a drag.
- Try to have visitors greet the dog when they come over so he doesn’t feel forgotten.
- Make sure one of the adults in the home has time to walk the dog and bring him on outings. This will make him feel special.
- Try to keep up with exercise. You do not want to live with an abundance of unused canine energy when you have a new baby around.
- Let the dog see the baby in your arms. Allow him to smell this new person. You do not want the baby to be a mystery.
- And last but not least, try to make the shock of being ‘just the dog’ a smooth transition. Consider your dog’s point of view. It’s going to be rough. Patience and understanding will help everyone live happily ever after.
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