subject: Are You Expecting A Baby? Is Your Dog? [print this page] Expecting A New Baby? Expecting A New Baby?
Is Your Dog?
We love our dogs, they are our family. Our dogs give us unconditional love. We love them, walk them, and sleep with them and when they come to us for a scratch we scratch them. Our dogs are not used to sharing our attention with anyone or thing in their home. But when someone new comes into the house and starts getting all of the attention that's when trouble could start.
Assuming this is your family pet and you monitor his health regularly it is not necessary to address any health issues that might affect the baby.
Their emotional issues are another matter. Dogs are pack animals and as such there is a defined pecking order. You have established yourself as the pack leader. This is a boundary they will not cross. They do however expect attention from you and may not willing share you with another animal or person. If this is your/their first baby they are not used to the crying, the new smells and most importantly all of the attention the new arrival will demand. Attention that was theirs.
This new arrival is an intruder into their pack. As far as your dog is concerned they are at the bottom of the pecking order. The great majority of dogs will readily accept the new baby as a member of the family with no problem of jealously or aggression. The problem is if this is your first child with your dog you have no idea how your dog will react. Be fair to your dog before you are forced to make the decision to give him/her away. Go to Pets R Special 2 on how to introduce your dog to the new baby so your dog and your children can grow and play together.
For an additional article on introducing your dog to your new baby and many other articles on dog behavior visit Pets R Special 2.
