In order to welcome a newborn, you make all sorts of preparations, right from decorating the room to some little additions or alterations in home, here and there.
Have you ever thought of preparing your pet in advance, before the arrival of the little one? No? Well, then there’s no problem at all.
Here are a few points, which might help you in preparing your pet in advance:
1. Do visit your vet along with your pet for regular vaccinations. Also make sure, that the pet doesn’t have any intestinal parasites, they are transmittable to humans after all.
2. Sterilize your pets, this would lead to fewer health problems, also they would be calmer and less likely to bite.
3. If the thought of your newborn interacting with the family pet makes you uncomfortable, consult a veterinarian or pediatrician.
4. It would be good if you go in for training classes with your dog to tackle behavior problems.
5. Make your pet acclimatize to baby-related sounds. You may ask your friends with toddlers to visit your home.
6. Do not think of completely isolating the baby from the dog. You may install sturdy barriers such as a removable gate or even a screen door for baby room.
Before your baby actually make a move inside the house, go in for a little ‘ritual’.
1. Introduce some baby related clothing to the pet so that it may experience baby’s scent.
2. Do not ignore your pet when you have reached home, instead greet it with the same enthusiasm while ask some one to take the baby into the other room.
3. Bring the pet with you to sit next to the baby and reward the pet for proper behavior.
4. Although, life will become hectic for you but try to spend one-on-one time with pet as well, this would not make him feel neglected.
5. Make sure, not to leave your infant with pet, no matter how well behaved the pet is.
