Introducing Your New Baby To The Family Dog

It is important to prepare your dog ahead of time for the new baby

. Your dog has always been the center of attention and will need to learn to adjust to a few different things. Your attention will not be as centered on your family dog, and he will need to get used to some different smells and sounds, especially the crying and screaming! Do not wait until the baby arrives.

Preparing your dog will be different for all dogs. It will depend on if your dog has had basic dog training or will need to learn new skills. It is important that your dog receives basic dog obedience training before your new baby is brought into the home.

Your dog should be able to follow simple dog obedience training commands and techniques. Your dog should be able to lie quietly for a short time, should not jump up, should be able to walk on a lead without pulling, and come when called.

Understand your dog is used to being the baby in the house. He may find it hard to accept that your full attention is not on him anymore. This is why it is important that your dog learn before the baby gets here that you will not always run to his beck and call. This way he will not associate the baby with these changes.

Start by ignoring certain requests from your dog. If your dog wants to play, tell him to lie down. If you plan on restricting him from certain areas of the house when the baby is born, it is time to start restricting him now.

Consider planning ahead for the baby as part of your dog obedience training. Get your dog used to the new smells and furniture that will be coming into the home, such as playpens, cribs, walkers, toys, etc. Train the dog to never play with your baby's toys by leaving them around and using dog training techniques to keep him from picking up. Training your dog now will ensure less stress when the baby is born. After all, you will have a lot of other things on your mind then training your dog how to react to your baby.

A very important step you can take is to get a tape recording of babies crying, screaming, and laughing. Place the tape recording in a place where the baby will normally be, such as the playpen. Use dog obedience training strategies to get your dog accustomed to the baby and to help him know to stay down or away from these areas.

Once the baby is born and it is time to bring baby home, teach the dog how to approach the baby gently. Make it a positive experience for the dog when the baby is around. Give your dog all natural treats and lots of love and praise when he is behaving properly around the baby. Never shout or hit your dog because he approaches the baby. This will only make the dog resent the baby.

Be gentle with your dog and remember he once was your only baby. Now you have two. Your family has grown and you have enough love to give everyone.

by: Anthony Petrozzella

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