You will want to familiarize your pet to the variety of baby equipment that will be entering your household, from the stroller to the swings, and even the noisy toys.
Some dogs are known to bite at stroller wheels and you may want to get your dog used to walking beside the stroller on a leash before the baby arrives. If the dog seems afraid of the stroller, you may need to start out going slowly and walking them next to the stroller on a leash, using positive reinforcements such as treats when he/she does not react to the stroller.
If your pet is sensitive to unfamiliar or loud sounds, you may want to work on familiarizing your pet with typically baby noises. You can try recorded baby sounds. You will want to test your pet?s reaction to a real life noise level first. If you notice any signs of fear or anxiety, you will want to start to desensitize your pet to the noises by playing the sounds at a volume low enough that your pet shows no reaction, then gradually increase the volume. Positive reinforcements such as treats or playing with your pet while the noises are playing will also help desensitize your pet.
Teaching your pet not to jump on people while they are standing or sitting down is a good idea as well. Once the baby arrives, people will be holding him/her in their arms or on their laps. Using commands such as "sit" or "down" before receiving anything is a good way to reinforce this behavior.
Cats also have a tendency to jump onto people's laps. You can correct this bad habit by teaching your cat to wait for an invitation to jump up on your lap. If they jump on your lap without the invitation, simply stand up and dump them onto the floor.
Preparing areas where your cat can go to escape from a curious baby or an eager toddler is another way to ease the transition.
You may want to consider moving food bowls and litter boxes to out of the way locations such as basements or laundry rooms in preparation for a new or mobile baby.
Pets should get used to being separated from their owners. Barriers need to be set up, and your pet needs to get used to being able to see you without being able to get to you. Rewarding your pet for being good and/or quiet on the other side of a barrier is an easy way to reinforce good behavior.
To keep cats out of the crib you can install a crib tent (netting that stretches over the crib). You can also install a screen door to the nursery that allows you to hear the baby but does not allow pets in.
Bringing the baby home:
Do NOT allow your pet to share a bed with an infant. Before the baby arrives you will want your pet to get used to sleeping away from the bed. Pets can be taught to sleep elsewhere by blocking their access with a baby gate or closing the door. Another way to prevent this is to create a new sleeping location such as a different bedroom or a crate.
When a new mother arrives home she should greet the pets empty-handed. You will want to find some time to devote to the pet, especially a dog, before introducing the baby.
When introducing a new baby or a child, make sure there are two adults present: one to supervise the baby and another to watch the pet. Keep the dog on a leash just in case. The leash can be dragging, but it is there if you need it.
Do not force an introduction, just let the pet be around the baby.
If the dog seems aggressive or rambunctious, grab the leash and calmly walk the dog away from the baby. Try not to scold or yell at the dog.
Considerations for the future:
Switching from open litter boxes to covered litter boxes is another way to prevent a child from getting into the litter box.
Make sure to keep your pet separated from the baby whenever they are both in a car. This can be done by using a crate, a barrier, or a safety harness.
Many of the problems between pets and children begin when the child starts crawling and walking. This is where the barriers and baby gates come to good use. It is a good idea to keep the pet's toys and food away from the child in case the pet gets aggressive.
If any serious behavior problems arise be sure to contact us. We can help you identify the problem and work with you to find a solution.
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