| How to Prepare Your Dog For a New Baby | | | | should be used to having toys around. |
| Having a baby is one of the most exciting things that | | | | A huge adjustment for dogs when there is a baby in |
| happen in people's lives. However, it is also one of the | | | | the house is that their roaming space may become |
| greatest changes in people's lives. As you begin to | | | | limited. Many people set aside a specific space (such |
| prepare for having a baby in the house, you will need | | | | as the living room or sun room) solely for the baby to |
| to give thought to preparing your dog as well. Here are | | | | play in. Once baby is at home, your dog may have to |
| a few tips in preparing your dog for when you bring | | | | adjust to differences in space. Another example would |
| home your new baby. | | | | be the couch. Before baby, you may have allowed |
| First, you will want to start with obedience training (if | | | | Fido to relax on the sofa, whereas now you may not |
| your dog has not already been trained) as soon as | | | | want him to. The sooner you start making these tiny |
| possible. Commands such as "sit," "heel," "stay," and | | | | changes, the easier it will be for your dog to adjust. |
| "down" are good to start with. Though your dog | | | | Finally, take care to still make time for your dog. |
| almost always means no harm, they may try to jump | | | | Though you will be much more busy with the baby, |
| up and greet the baby because they do not know any | | | | make it a point to play fetch in the living room while the |
| better. If you work with your dog beforehand, you will | | | | baby is napping, or take your dog and baby to the |
| be pleased with the confidence you will have in your | | | | park for a walk beside the stroller. This will help your |
| dog when he is around the baby. | | | | dog feel included and not neglected. Most dogs like |
| You will also want to do some role-playing or staging | | | | children and babies, and they can be surprisingly gentle |
| for your dog to simulate having a baby in your home. | | | | as well as tolerant of children if you teach them to be. |
| For example, you will need to teach your dog not to | | | | Bringing a baby into the home results in many different |
| walk on the baby blanket lying on the floor or to not | | | | changes. Of course it is a new challenge for you to |
| sniff the burping cloth or the baby's toys. You will need | | | | adjust, but it also is for your dog. Before baby is born, |
| to teach your dog to that the baby toys are not for | | | | go ahead and start training and teaching your dog |
| him, and that he shouldn't touch them. This may be | | | | about having a child in the home. You, your dog, and |
| confusing for your dog at first, but if you start teaching | | | | your baby will all benefit from the time you invest in |
| him early, by the time baby comes along your dog | | | | preparing your dog for the new arrival. |