Pet Care

		Baby And Bowser
		Backyard Dogs
		Barking
		Crate Training
		Destructive Behaviour In Dogs
		Dogs And Heat
		Have You Walked Your Dog Today?
		House-training Your New Dog
		Obedience Training

Baby And Bowser

You're expecting a baby. Congratulations! Everyone is excited, and you have told your family and friends, but have you told your dog? Yes, your dog needs to know that you will be bringing a baby into the house.

Many people are so wrapped up in the new baby that they forget the other family member: the family dog. If you have other children, you would explain that they would soon have a baby brother or sister, that things would be changing a little bit and what the changes would be. You would help them understand that they are still loved and that the new baby will be an addition to the family, not a replacement. Your dog deserves the same consideration.

How do you tell your dog that you are going to have a baby?

• Set up the nursery early - about three months before the baby is due.
• Place a toy doll and blanket in the crib or playpen.
• Establish the new routine you and your baby will have and carry the doll around the house with you.
• Go to the library and borrow a sound effects recording with the sound of a crying baby on it.

All of these things will help your dog understand what will be happening when the baby comes home.

If you haven't already done obedience training with your dog, now is the time! If your dog jumps on you and your friends, he will do the same thing with the baby, so put a stop to it now. Let him know this is no longer acceptable. If your dog begins to jump up, tell him "No! Sit!" and give him lots of praise.

Your dog will be curious, and although he does not want to hurt the baby, this may happen. It is up to you to educate your dog. If at all possible, expose your dog to young children and make it a pleasurable experience. Remember to praise him!

It is essential that you supervise your baby and your dog. Infants and young children make unfamiliar noises - often very high-pitched - that can cause stress to your dog's ears or may sound like his beloved squeaky toy. Babies also move awkwardly and may fall on your dog. As your baby begins to walk, he or she may try to pull him or herself up by pulling on your dog's hair, or may lose his or her balance and grab a handful of your dog's coat.

Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare Bowser for your baby's arrival:

Start referring to your dog as "Good Dog" rather than "Good Boy" or "Good Girl". You will probably want to use the latter words with your child, and it would be confusing for your dog if you used the same words for him.

To help your dog get to know the baby, bring home one of the baby's blankets from the hospital and let him become used to the baby's scent.

Once the baby has arrived:

Make sure your dog receives positive attention when the baby is awake and with you. He will learn that nice things happen when the baby is up.

Encourage your dog to gently smell the baby in your arms. You can begin this training early with a doll. Teach your dog a new command: "Gentle!" Work with your dog, teaching him to accept gentle squeezing and pulling of paws, ears and hair. Reward him with praise and a treat.

Never, ever leave your child (especially one under the age of five) and your dog unsupervised. If you must leave the room, have one or both accompany you, or place the child in the playpen.

Teach your child not to bother the dog when he is sleeping.

Do not allow your child to tug on, kick, hit or tease your dog.

Teach your child how to approach and greet an unfamiliar dog, and how to avoid one.

Never let your dog play with your child's toys, or your child play with your dog's toys. If your dog has an inappropriate toy, ask it to drop it and provide him with a suitable replacement.

For further information, call The Toronto Humane Society at 416- 392-2273 and dial "0".

You can also purchase literature on dealing with children and dogs (Recommended reading: Child-Proofing Your Dog - A complete guide to preparing your dog for the children in your life, by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, Warner Books, 1994).

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