7 Steps To Prepare Your Dog For Baby
Homemade Puppies, LLC strives to be your trusted source for not only connecting with your new fur-baby, but also answering the dog related questions you may have to enhance your experience with your dog/puppy. Each week our in house dog expert, Katie, answers your puppy and dog questions. Submit your canine questions to info@homemadepuppies.com.
As always puppies advertised with Homemade Puppies, LLC are always 100% raised in-home by responsible family breeders...never raised outside or in a barn, etc. No Puppy Mills, ever. We promise. www.homemadepuppies.com
Here is this week's blog from Katie!
It's the most joyous time! A new baby is on the way! Many people wonder how their dog will adjust to having a baby in the house. By following a few preparation steps BEFORE the baby arrives you can help ensure that the transition to a new baby goes well.
1. Teach your dog personal space.
If your dog is used to being the center of your world, you need to get him used to sharing your attention. Help your dog get comfortable with having his own space to lay, instead of being on your lap all the time. Teaching a "place" command can be helpful. This teaches your dog to go to a bed, blanket or other designated place when you tell him to. Teach him that he has to be invited to sit on your lap.
2. Adjust your dog's activity.
If your dog is used to you taking him for 5 mile hikes, long runs, and lots of activity, you will need to adjust his schedule before the baby comes. Your dog should get used to living a more sedate lifestyle, due to the fact that you might not have as much time to do excessive activity once the baby arrives. This doesn't mean that other family members can't exercise the dog, but if that's the case, get the dog used to the people who will be exercising him and the activity level that he will have after the baby comes. Maybe even check into a dog walker or doggie daycare and get your dog used to them in advance of the birth of the baby. By slowly adjusting your dog's activity level and style in the 9 months leading up to the birth of the baby, it will be less change, frustration and adjusting your dog has to do once the baby is here.
3. Acclimate your dog to baby items.
It's a good idea to get your dog familiar with the items that will be in the house once the baby arrives. Set up the crib, practice walking with a stroller, play audio of babies crying. You can even carry a baby doll around to have your dog get comfortable with having a baby in your arms. You want to teach your dog that baby items are for the baby, not the dog. Don't let the dog lay in baby bouncer seats or claim baby items as his own. Before the baby comes is the time to start setting safety boundaries.
4. Brush up on obedience commands.
Teaching the dog not to jump, not to grab at items in your hand, and to walk on a leash without pulling will be helpful behaviors once the baby arrives. Teach impulse control and a good "settle". An out of control dog will be all that much harder to handle when you are holding a baby.
5. Look into alternate enrichment activities.
While you might not be able to exercise your dog as much after baby arrives you do want to keep him enriched with other activities. You can freeze toys stuffed with food, make use of a snuffle mat for meal times, teach your dog fetch as a form of exercise, play hide and go seek with a favorite toy, etc. These are all activities that will occupy your dog's mind and can be just as tiring as taking a walk.
6. Prepare the house.
It's important that your dog never be unsupervised around the baby. Using baby gates or a crate can be a good idea to help keep the dog separate from the baby at certain times. Some of these times may be when guests arrive to visit, when you want to let the baby have tummy time on the floor, or when the baby is in a bouncer seat or swing.
7. Don't rush it.
After the baby arrives you might think a photo with the baby and your dog would be so cute. You want your baby and dog to be best friends. However, don't rush things. Give your dog time to get used to the baby. Let the dog smell items that the baby uses such as a blanket or an outfit the baby has worn. Don't force your dog to be up close and personal with the baby too soon. Over time your dog will adjust to the new little human in his family.
Do you have a question for Katie? Submit your question(s) to info@homemadepuppies.com.
Looking for a puppy? We have a large variety of puppies from pure-bred to mixed breed and large to small. Check out the in-home raised puppies we offer at www.homemadepuppies.com. The puppy's information such as location, description, price, breeder's contact information will be listed on the puppy's page. As always puppies advertised on Homemade Puppies are always 100% raised in-home...never a kennel or barn, etc. No Puppy Mills, ever. We promise.
Do you have a litter of in-home raised puppies that you would like to advertise on www.homemadepuppies.com? Email info@homemadepuppies.com for more information on how to get started!
