How To Prepare Your Dog For The Arrival Of A New Baby

Congratulations, you are going to have a new baby. This is a very exciting time, with lots to do and preparations to make. Be that as it may, in all the excitement don’t forget your first baby, your lovely dog.

If this is your first child, then your dog has probably been the center for much of your attention. Even if this is not your first child, you will probably still have more time for your dog now then when your latest addition is born. It is therefore right to start thinking about the ways your dog’s routine will change, and start to implement these changes as soon as possible, whilst he still has time to get used to them.

I read an excellent article on preparing your dog for a new baby written by the good people at Bark Busters the other day. In this article, they give lots of good advice such as:

Taking time to prepare for your dog for your babies arrival.
Setting new rules for your dog before the baby arrives.
Accustoming your dog to the new smells and sounds that will be a part of your home, prior to bringing the baby home.
Introducing the dog to your baby on the first day.
Allowing your dog to make frequent, supervised visits to see your new baby.
Teaching your dog the difference between your child’s and dog’s things.

However, there are some important things missing from this list which I have added below:

Behavior

Now is the time to smooth out any behavioral problems, or unwanted habits in your dog. They may have seen unimportant before, but with a baby on the way you need to know exactly how your dog will react in any situation and be sure that you can control him at all times.

If you have any problems that you can’t resolve, then don’t be afraid to get the help of a professional. The sooner you start the better. Don’t leave it until the baby is born – that is too late!

Exercise

In the later stages of your pregnancy, you may find it hard to walk your dog as often and for as long as before. Plan for this and get another member of the family, a friend, or even employ a dog walker, to gradually take over these responsibilities before they become a problem.

Boundaries

Decide on what boundaries you are going to set for your dog once the new baby arrives and put them into place immediately. This will give your dog time to learn the new rules before the baby arrives and whilst getting them wrong isn’t a major issue.

In addition, set aside somewhere like a laundry room , or a corner of your kitchen just for your dog. Put his food bowl, bedding, and favorite toys there. If he has not been crate trained, now might be a good time.

This area will be his safe sanctuary where he can get away from your new baby. A place where he can go when things get tough and he needs peace and quiet. It is also somewhere you can send your dog at times when you need him out of the way for a while.

Socializing

If this is the first baby your dog has known, then he is going to need to be prepared for some serious changes in the way he is handled. Take your dog to meet other babies and small children that you know. Encourage them (under supervision of course) to touch your dog in places like the face, tail, underside, ears, and mouth.

Are you pregnant at the moment? Share this article on your favorite social network and tell everyone what you are doing to prepare your dog for the new arrival.