How to prepare your dog for a baby

 Having a baby is a huge stress for a dog. And so that there are no troubles, prepare it in advance for a significant event.

How to prepare a dog for the arrival of a child in the family

1. Even before the birth of the child, try to imagine how the dog will react to him. If problems are foreseen, it is better to start solving them in advance.
2. Plan your daily routine. Dogs are creatures of habit and predictability is very important to them, so stick to a schedule.
3. Change the rules for using furniture in advance. The child will often lie on the bed or on the sofa, so to avoid misunderstandings, teach the dog to stay on the floor until he is allowed to jump onto the bed.
4. Follow the speech. If the dog is used to the words “Good boy!” relate only to him, he will be at a loss when, with the birth of a baby, after words that are magical for the hearing of a four-legged friend, you will rudely push him away. So close to jealousy. It is better to call a pet a “good dog”. After all, you are unlikely to begin to treat a child like that?
5. No – violent games in the house. Leave them for the street.
6. In a safe environment, introduce your dog to other children. Reward only calm, benevolent behavior. Ignore signs of nervousness.
7. Do not allow your dog to touch children’s toys.
8. Train your dog for touches of varying intensity, hugs, and different sounds.

How to introduce a dog to a newborn baby

On the day the child arrives home, have someone take the dog for a good walk. When the new mother arrives, ask someone to take care of the baby so she can interact with the dog. Do not allow tantrums and jumps. The child can then be brought in while another person keeps the dog on a leash. Try not to be nervous, do not fix the dog’s attention on the child. Just take your dog with you. She may not even notice the baby. If the dog approaches the baby, sniffs it and perhaps licks it, and then moves away, calmly praise it and leave it alone. Give your pet a chance to adjust to the new environment. 

Probably, it would be superfluous to mention that the dog should be taught in advance the general course of training. If something in your dog’s behavior worries you, consult with a specialist.