Up until this point, your faithful friend(s) have been the centre of your universe, so it may take a little time for them to accept the new addition to the family. Having a baby is a wonderful time in your life, however, it can give us many things to think about too.
The relationship between your favourite canine and your new baby is often a topic that is not considered yet is so important. You will want these two important beings in your life to love each other as much as you love them.
Top Tips
- Start preparing your dog early for the changes which will inevitably happen before the baby comes home.
- We can do many things, such as changing our dogs' routines, so they don’t feel put out when their usual 7am walk doesn’t happen, or their dinner is a bit later than usual.
- Get them used to the ‘new normal’, by introducing new sights, sounds and smells.
- Make new house rules to make life easier for yourself - no one wants a stressed dog barking behind the newly erected stair gate once baby is home.
- Reduce the amount of time your loving hound lays on the settee next to you and encourage them into their own, very comfy bed, so that your baby can be laid safely down next to you.
- Stop unwanted attention from your dog wanting to ‘help’ with nappy changes. This is done with an effective ‘leave’ command.
- Over excited greeters jumping all over you and your visitors can be quite frightening when it comes to bringing babies in the house, so you can look at how to reduce this and other unwanted behaviours.
- To stop you worrying that the dog will enjoy playing a game of chase around the dining room table with baby toys or clothes, you can redirect their energy into controlled play. Handing them one of their own toys or a treat-filled rubber chew to keep them occupied will do the trick.
- Teach your dog to walk nicely on the lead will also be a great help to stop you and your pram being taken off at speed in the direction of their favourite park when out for a walk.
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