New Parents - Introducing Your Baby to the Family Dog

As a new parent is perfectly normal to be concerned about how your family dog will react to the new baby. There are simple ways to make the introduction between baby and dog easy on you and less stressful on your canine. Here are some helpful ideas for making an introduction between a pet and newborn as well as seamlessly as possible, keeping your baby's safety, health and comfort in mind:

Getting Your Dog Ready:

It is extremely important to prepare your dog before your baby coming home. In fact, what you do to prepare your pet for a child may prove more important than the introduction. It is wise to begin the process of preparation as soon as you learn that you have the top of the child.

Get your dog used to a child relating to noise, months before the baby arrives. For example, play recordings of a baby crying, turn on automatic baby swing, and use the rocking chair. Make these positive events for your dog by giving them a treat or playtime.

Be sure your dog is spayed or neutered. "Fixed" pets are usually calmer and less likely to get distressed and bite.

Take your dog to the vet for a routine health exam and necessary vaccinations a few months before the baby arrives. Worms and parasites can be dangerous for your child. Also get your dog's nails trimmed, this is both easy and necessary.

thinking about enrolling in a training class with your dog, and practice training techniques. Obedience lessons make sure to control your dog's behavior and strengthen relationships between you and your dog.

Use a baby doll to help your dog get used to the real thing. Swaddle doll, and take it.

in the stroller when you and your dog go for walks. Also, use the doll to get your dog used to routine baby activities, such as bathing, feeding and changing nappies.

Lightly dust sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin, so that your dog becomes familiar with new scents.

before your baby comes home from the hospital, or have your partner or friend to bring something to the baby's scent (such as a blanket or clothes) for your dog to investigate.

Introducing your dog to your

When your baby arrives, it is wise to have another person hold your baby while you greet your dog. Your dog has missed you a lot, and it is important to pay attention to it when you first arrive home. Did someone take the baby to a nearby room while you give your dog a warm, calm, welcome. Keep some treats handy as a belated reward.

Wait until after your dog's enthusiasm about your return home is not cured prior to the introduction of a new baby to the dog.

After the initial greeting, you can bring your pets with you to sit next to a child, to reward your pet with treats for correct behavior. Remember that you want your pet to see the connection with the child as a positive experience.

Never force your pet to get the baby, and always supervise any contact. activities a child can frighten your dog and cause it to bite in self-defense. If you are unsure of your dog's reaction, his leash during introductions. Talk with your dog, pet him and encourage him to get a good look and sniff the baby legs and arms.

Do not allow your dog to sleep on the baby's furniture or play with the baby's toys. You do not want your dog to get territorial over the facilities and areas that are not his.

Never leave your dog alone with a baby without the active supervision. This may sound like common sense, but many of us consider the family pet, and do not realize that even small-bread dog can harm your child. Even if your dog does not show hostile behavior, the child has no ability to move animals away, and your dog (even your little dog) has the ability to inadvertently cover up the child.