Bringing home a new baby is an exciting and joyous moment, but it can also be a worrisome experience if you own a dog because you don't how your pet will react. Even the most trustworthy of dog can react poorly towards a new member of the family. Luckily, there are many things you can do to make the transition easier on your dog.
Before Baby Comes Home
Prior to bringing home your new baby, you want your pet to become familiar with the baby's scent. There are two ways you can do this. Before the baby is born, apply baby powder or baby lotion to your skin. This will allow your dog to become accustom to the baby smell around the home.
After the baby is born and before the baby comes home, have your spouse or friend bring home a piece of clothing from the baby. Allow the pet to smell the clothes to become familiar with the baby's smell. This will make it less of a shock for your pet if they are use to the smell already.
Greeting Your Pet
If you have been in the hospital for a while, chances are your pet is going to be excited to see you when you arrive home. It's important to have someone else take the baby into another room when you first arrive so you can greet your pet. Give your pet this one-on-one attention when you first come home so they don't feel left out or jealous. Plus, they will be excited and you don't want them to jump on the baby. You want them to calm down and be relaxed when you make the introduction.
Meeting the Baby
The most important thing to remember when your pet meets the new baby is it has to be a positive experience. Have your pet sit next to you while you hold the baby in a calm environment. Encourage positive reactions from your pet by rewarding them with treats and praise. Don't yell or make your pet feel anxious when they first meet the new baby.
Adjusting to the New Baby
As with children, pets thrive when they are involved with some form of routine. Start a routine as soon as possible to keep your pet feeling safe and secure. Make sure your routine includes daily one-on-one time with your pet.
Even with these tips, not all pets do well with children. Here are a few more tips to make life with a dog and new baby easier and more successful:
- Spay or neuter your pet. Pets that have been fixed are less likely to bite.
- Keep your pets nails trimmed to reduce accidental injury to the baby.
- Obedience train your pet-- hopefully before the baby comes home.
- Discourage your dog from jumping.
What are some methods you've used to introduce a dog to a new baby?
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