A New Baby

Your dog should be prepared in advance for the arrival of your new baby.

If you are concerned that there will be a problem, you will need to consult with a professional trainer.

Make sure that your dog knows basic obedience. If it's been a while since you did any training with your dog, you may need to take a refresher course. Your dog should know; sit, down, come, heel, and no jumping.

Play a tape of a baby crying while your dog is eating or doing something else that it likes. This will help your dog develop positive associations with the sounds that babies make. Start softly and gradually increase the volume to a real-life noise level.

Put baby powder or lotion on your hands then take your dog for a walk or play a game with him, so that he connects baby smells to good things.

Set up your nursery early to let your dog get used to it.

Change your dog's schedule before the baby comes. If you will need to change his walking or eating schedule, do so several weeks ahead of time.

Carry a "baby" around. Place a doll or stuffed animal in your baby carrier, or wrap it in a blanket and walk around the house with it. Talk to it just like you would your baby. If the dog jumps up to see, correct her, then praise her for sitting or lying down on command.

On the big day, enter the house without the baby first, and greet your dog. Once the dog has settled down, and you are seated, have someone else bring in the baby and give it to you. Let the dog come and sniff the baby. If you aren't sure how the dog will react, put him on a leash. Praise your dog when she behaves correctly.

Help your dog learn to like the baby by giving special treats or chewies while you feed the baby nearby.

Make sure that your dog still gets the attention it is accustomed to, and also that she's getting enough exercise.

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