Introducing your Dog to your Newborn Baby

So you’re expecting a baby! Congratulations! A lot of people worry about introducing their newborn baby to the family dog and are concerned about how the dog will react. Most of the time this is a smooth & easy transition and with a little bit preparation prior to baby coming home, everyone should be prepared & ready. Initially, start teaching your dog before the baby arrives home which areas of the home are off limits. Spend some time with your dog and practice basic obedience and discipline to reinforce rules and boundaries and reinforce who is the pack leader. When your baby arrives home, don’t leave the dog out and isolate him, as jealousy may become an issue. Never feed your dog and the baby in the same room and never leave the two alone even if you think it’s safe to do so. Always remember your dog is part of the home and family too and he will hopefully play a vital role in your child’s life in the years to come. As your child grows, teach him the importance of treating all animals with dignity & respect and in a humane way.

Lead by example in front of your child, when it comes to training your dog and teach your child how to relate to the dog with patience and understanding. Teach your child how important it is not to tease your dog and then the dog will not only trust your child but he will also respect your child. The whole family will benefit greatly by having a stable minded K9 around, not to mention a loyal companion forever!

Leah & Angela O’Meara
Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Boarding Brisbane, Dog Walking Brisbane, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day care Brisbane).