| Is your dog intensely jealous of your | | | | sure to have your dog checked for worms of |
| affections? Does she always try to come | | | | any kind. If your dog's feeding station is |
| between you and your spouse when you get | | | | one your baby will later be able to get to |
| close? Then naturally her reaction towards | | | | easily, move it to the cellar, garage or |
| the new addition in the family who will | | | | some other area that doesn't invite a |
| certainly grab all the attention may not be | | | | curious crawler, since even an easy going dog |
| pleasant. You need to prepare her for the | | | | can become vicious when her food is |
| change to be followed so as to make her | | | | threatened. If you live in a small apartment, |
| interactions with the new baby safe. It's | | | | get your dog on an evening feeding schedule |
| hard for a dog who's always been treated like | | | | and remove her food dish during the day. |
| a baby to roll over and play dog when a real | | | | Don't even leave her food around when the dog |
| baby appears on the scene. But that's exactly | | | | is safely outside, because they may pose a |
| what she'll have to do when her place in your | | | | choking hazard if your baby manages to |
| heart has to be shared by that tiny but | | | | swallow it. After delivery, but while you're |
| threatening new addition you'll soon be | | | | still in the hospital or birthing centre, |
| bringing home from the hospital. Though a | | | | have your spouse bring home an unwashed piece |
| little initial moping around may be | | | | of clothing your newborn has worn so that |
| unavoidable, you'll want to do whatever you | | | | your pet can become familiar with the baby's |
| can to prevent excessive jealousy and, of | | | | scent. When you arrive home, let your spouse |
| course, any aggressive reactions. Start now, | | | | hold the baby while you greet your pet. Then |
| Invest in an obedience training programme for | | | | to satisfy her curiosity, let the dog sniff |
| your dog if she isn't trained already - and | | | | the baby who should be well swaddled, with |
| even if you've never felt there was the need | | | | head and face protected by your arms. Once |
| for it before. Friskiness and puppy-like | | | | the baby's snug in the cot, break out a |
| exuberance aren't usually a problem in a | | | | special treat for the dog and spend a little |
| childless home, but they could be in one with | | | | time alone with her. Be attentive to your new |
| a new baby. Particularly because the baby's | | | | baby, of course, but don't act overprotective |
| behaviour won't be controllable or | | | | around your dog. This will only make the |
| predictable, your dog's must be. Obedience | | | | animal more jealous and insecure. Instead, as |
| training won't take the spirit out of your | | | | you would with a human sibling (though on a |
| pet, but it will make her more stable, and | | | | different level, naturally), try to get your |
| thus less likely to harm your baby. Get your | | | | pet involved with the new addition and let |
| dog used to babies now, if you can. Invite | | | | her know she's still a loved member of the |
| friends with babies over to the house, or let | | | | family. Pet her while you nurse, walk her |
| her (under careful supervision, and if the | | | | while you take the baby out in the pram, |
| parent is willing) sniff near a baby in the | | | | allow her into the baby's room while you're |
| park or be petted by a toddler, so that she | | | | there. Try to make a point of spending at |
| can become familiar with their smells and | | | | least five minutes every day alone with her. |
| their moves. Alternatively you can apply baby | | | | But should she show even the slightest |
| powder or baby oil on yourself to make your | | | | aggressiveness towards your baby, reprimand |
| pet familiar with the smell. Get your dog | | | | her immediately. If, despite your efforts to |
| used to the life with a baby in the house. | | | | prepare and reassure her, your dog seems |
| Use a baby-size dolls as a prop in her | | | | hostile towards the new arrival, keep her |
| training. Put a nappy on the doll; carry, | | | | tied up and away from the baby until you re |
| sing to, and rock it; nurse it; put it to bed | | | | sure she's worked out her feelings. Just |
| in the cot; take it for a walk in the pram | | | | because a dog has never bitten before doesn't |
| (if you don't mind the neighbours staring). | | | | mean she's not capable of it under duress. If |
| Now and then play a tape of a baby crying. | | | | tying up the dog only adds to her hostility |
| Take your dog for a complete medical checkup. | | | | you may have to consider finding another home |
| Be sure that your dog is flea and tick-free | | | | for her.CAROLYN JOANA is a parenting expert |
| (ask your vet about using a pill or another | | | | who deeply understand all baby needs and |
| method that's effective against these pests | | | | desires to share her knowledge with the new |
| yet safe to use around your baby). Also be | | | | parents. |