With the arrival of your new child, there will be a lot of commotion and big changes in the household routines. All of this can become too much for your pet to cope with. The first thing you need to do is find and designate a quiet spot for your pet to go to when things get busy in the house. Somewhere like the wash room is good. Provide a blanket, food bowl, water dish and favourite toy for all your dog's comforts and basic needs.
The next important step is to train your pet to become desensitised to the kind of handling your child will be likely to administer. Touch your pet in sensitive places that aren't normally handled by people; inside the mouth, ears, and between paw pads. Remember that small hands will go where ever they can reach, including your pet's face and tail. Repeat this touching exercise about five times a day, for two minutes at a time. Reward or coax your pet with food treats for compliance with good behaviour.
If your pet does not react positively to your new baby, then seek help from a professional pet trainer – this is the best course of action if your pet has a history of trouble with infants and toddlers. Your pet may even start behaving strangely when you are pregnant. There are pet trainers and veterinarians that offer “pet readiness” programs. These classes prepare your pet for life with a human baby. Your pet's temperament and behaviour will be observed and taken into account. The professionals will be able to give you a good assessment of your pet's readiness and provide you with valuable tips and recommendations.
Your dog should be fully trained to obey basic commands and know general rules before baby readiness training can begin. Commands such as “sit”, “stay” and “down” are essential to keeping your baby safe from an over-enthusiastic dog. You shouldn't be in the habit of grabbing food or objects from people. Even a small bump or knock from your dog can be disastrous for your child.
Enrolling your dog in a training program is a good way to ensure that the finer commands and behavioural rules are taught correctly. Professionally run courses often include training your dog to remain calm during noisy, busy periods of activity in your home. Your pet is going to face new smells in your home and should be used to these by the time your baby arrives.
Always try to check the credentials and track record of any pet training institution or private trainer before paying for expensive lessons. A good trainer or program may be pricey, but it is worth it for the safety of your child. As the parent, you can read up about pet and child safety in books such as Childproofing Your Dog by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson.
