Having a dog is mostly like having your baby. Both require a lot of love, care, and attention. Introducing a human baby to your fur baby may be challenging for first-time parents. Dogs are territorial and, if not dealt with properly, can cause a chaotic environment once the baby finally comes, so it is vital to prepare your household for the most significant change for your home: a child.
Dr. Yaron Schmid, a veterinarian and director of shelter medicine of the New York Humane Society, stated that introducing a permanent component in a pet’s life may result in anxiety. Planning and taking the necessary precautions can result in a harmonious home. Pediatricians, veterinarians, and animal behaviorists provided various opinions to achieve that.
The most obvious solution of all is to plan. As early as prenatal, laying a solid foundation for pet-baby consensus is critical. As soon as you find out that you’re pregnant, take your pets for medical tests. Dr. Shmid stressed that pets potentially carry varying bacteria and parasites that might influence pregnancy.
Dr. Melissa Glassman, MD of the Newborn Clinic and Breastfeeding Support Program of the Ambulatory Care Network at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia, also emphasized that a pet’s problematic behavior should be worked out during pregnancy to avert problems that could potentially injure an infant. Informing yourself with your pet’s body language can aid you in understanding their behavior or enlisting professional trainers to reduce stress on your part.
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Condition your pets to be around babies by modeling new behaviors. Walk around with a makeshift baby with a doll or rolled-up blanket around your pet. Marjie Alonso, the director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a professional dog trainer, said it might make you feel like an idiot, but this will get your dog used to some attention shifts.
She added that even though it is a conventional method, tricking your pet to get used to the scent of a baby with a blanket to reinforce positive feelings may not be the best method. However, she shared that the implication of the odor is what matters.
Within the preparation, the period is the changing of the environment. Provide ample time for your pet to adjust by bringing in various baby furniture. Alonso suggested viewing the changes in your pet’s perspective.
Sit on the floor and observe the surroundings. Humans may see a crib, but a dog might interpret it as a wooden box with four legs and squeaky wheels, but it’s something else entirely for a dog. Educate your pets with specific restricted areas to keep both pets and infants at a safe distance.
When the baby is inevitably coming home, allow the pet to greet the mother before the baby. Introducing both parties to be secured and on neutral territory is crucial. Present a calm and reassuring demeanor around the pet to instill the idea that what you have brought home isn’t a toy.
When the baby is finally home, parents might divert much of their attention to their child than their pets. Still allot time to your dog, even if it’s just five minutes, to maintain a good relationship and avoid resentment toward the child. Build barriers through opened gates for your dogs or a playpen for your child to minimize physical interaction while at the same time spending sufficient quality time.
Managing a household with pets and children is highly challenging, and achieving harmony becomes difficult, but it is not impossible. Properly informing and constructing plans can aid you in attaining a peaceful and loving home.
Photos and Video Courtesy of Kids With Dogs’ Instagram Page.
