INTRODUCING A NEW BABY TO YOUR PET

OK so you're having or planning a baby, big worry is how will your dog react? how can you handle a dog and a baby full time?  First thing to do is plan ahead, you need to get your dog used to all the new routines, items and sounds that will be around. A really good way to do this is by using a doll, dress and swaddle like a real baby (if you know someone with a baby ask to use their clothes before they wash them this will add benefit of the smell). You will need to condition your dog not to jump or mither you whilst you are holding this 'baby' a great way to do this is to set up a snuffle mat, slow feeder, frozen kong etc to give your dog whilst you walk around carrying and speaking to the baby, play some baby noises on your phone at the same time. The pram is another obstacle start now working on your lead work with the pram whilst it is empty and any mistakes won't risk tipping a baby over, prams can be very stressful for a dog to walk closely by so don't under estimate the importance of this work now, squeezy cheese in your hand will work great for this work to keep your dog focussed and walking to heal well, be sure to introduce the heal command with this exercise. It will also be important you set up the baby seats , crib etc at home and you teach your dog to keep distance from these items. I am not suggesting your dog cannot be anywhere near but you will do yourself a favour now to teach your dog a meter or so distance to avoid any accidents when the baby arrives.Once the baby arrives it is very important from the first second that you are setting boundaries, do not let the dog approach the baby or you whilst you hold the baby unless you have first invited and the approach is in a calm manner. Never allow the baby and dog to be alone even if you are in the same room you must always be close enough to block or remove the baby in instance there may be a bite, this is possible even with the best natured of dogs due to how unpredictable babies can behave it can be stressful for your animal and cause out of character reaction. Another important boundary to have in place is to never allow your dog to scavenge dropped food from around the baby, this will be easier if you have already established your safe distance with the babys high chair etc, however I am not saying your dog cannot be part of clean up crew, we all know its easier to let the dog eat the food from the floor than us to clean it up with a baby in tow. If you are going to allow the dog to 'clear the area' just first ensure you shake food from chair to the floor and again the dog can only approach and eat once invited and the baby has been removed, this will help to avoid food snatching down the line with potential accidental bites.As your child gets older your boundaries can loosen slightly in correlation with your Childs understanding of how to respect your dog. Always remember it is better to be safe than sorry, loosen much slower than you think you need to as opposed to risking going even a little too fast which could prove catastrophic, and under no circumstances allow children to approach a sleeping dog or to climb on your dog!