What To Expect When You're Expecting (And Have A Dog)
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Expecting a baby is an exciting time in your life. That being said, if you are already a pup parent, it can also be rather stressful. You aren’t sure how your precious pooch will behave around a new member of the household. There’s a chance that even the sweetest of dogs may have a negative reaction to no longer being an only child. To help ease your worries, here are four tips on how to navigate this transitional period with your pup.
Introduce Your Fur Baby to Babies of the Human Variety
Even the most angelic dogs may have a difficult time getting accustomed to having a human baby in the house. After all, your dog may be rightly disturbed that a tiny screaming critter is now getting all of the attention. A simple way for your pooch to get used to having a baby around is to have them hang out with one. On the off-chance that you happen to be close to someone who has a baby or toddler, schedule a few playdates with your pup. To ensure that everything goes without a hitch have your dog on a leash during the visits.
If you are unable to introduce your pooch to an actual baby, don’t fret. There are plenty of other ways for them to get comfortable with the idea that they will soon have a hairless sibling. You can first have them sniff all of the baby gear, including car seats, toys, shampoo, and clothes. In addition, you may want to consider playing a recording of a baby crying, so your pooch won’t get so freaked out with near-constant, high pitched noises. During the listening sessions, make sure to shower Fido with praise, so he will have a positive association when your child shrieks.
Establish Guidelines Early On
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Before you introduce a baby into the mix, establish guidelines with your dog. This may mean reducing the amount of attention you give to your pooch. While this is admittedly heartbreaking, it is in your pup’s best interest for her to get used to no longer being the center of attention in your household. You may also want to install the notion that your dog is not welcomed in the nursery. After-all, your baby’s crib looks extremely comfortable and your pooch may be inclined to sneak in to get some shut eye. Due to the fact that babies aren’t super into sharing their space, this is bound to cause some tension.
Get Professional Help
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Prior to your baby’s arrival, take your precious pup to a few behavioral classes. You’ll want to start the training as soon as possible so that your dog will be on his best behavior when they first meet their new sibling. A few key commands that you’ll want to practice over and over again with your dog are “leave it” and “stay,” as pups tend to be curious creatures who would love nothing more than to get into your baby’s personal space. While some babies may be chill with this, it may cause an escalation that you’ll want to avoid.
Hire a Dog-Walker
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So that your dog can have somewhat of a reprieve from your baby, you may want to look into hiring a dog walker to take your pooch on a fun outing a few times a week. To make sure that this change isn’t jarring, you’ll want to start your pup’s new routine a few months before the baby comes.