Prepping pooch for a newborn, part 1

One tired doggie after a baby shower

I’m not sure what it is, but I seem to attract families with pets. That’s not a complaint, I absolutely love animals and believe they enrich our lives long after they’ve left us. I grew up with dogs, cats, fish and bunnies and I’ll be the first to admit that I will always have an animal in my house for as long as I am able to care for them. That being said, dogs hold a special place in my heart, (sorry cat lovers and that includes my own daughter) and deep down I think our dogs want to be included in every aspect of our lives. Therefore, we should do our part and help prepare them for the new and very tiny family member.

Bring on the baby stuff!

Set up the nursery or baby sleeping area, changing table, nursing station, and bathing equipment. Let your dog sniff, explore and if you’re cool with it, let them hang out in there or around the space. Correct and redirect as necessary regarding what furniture is off limits to the dog. On the next visit to the room, reward the dog for their appropriate behaviour.

Car Rides and Safety

Most dogs absolutely love car rides, but now include the baby seat (no baby yet) on those rides. With larger cars (SUVs, Vans, some hatchbacks) you might want to consider teaching your dog to get into the way back of the car during your entire pregnancy. Reward your dog often for this new behaviour as well as talk to your dog during the car ride. Reward and praise your dog every time they get in and out of this new location for their car rides. If your dog doesn’t seem interested or has had some previous trauma in the back of a larger vehicle, consider using doggie barrier hammock or a doggie booster seat for the back seat. Generously reward your dog while training them and talk to your dog throughout the car ride.

Baby bucket car seats

There will be times, that you’ll have to leave your baby in the bucket car seat when you get in your home - think emergency bathroom break after your mommy and me class, or your baby JUST fell asleep 5 minutes before your rolled into the driveway and you’d like to take a minute to yourself. Prepare your pooch for these every instances by leaving the bucket seat out and around the house. Again allow your dog to sniff and explore, but correct your dog if they paw at the seat, try to take the toys hanging from the handle, or attempt to move it in anyway. Redirect your dog toward their toys and reward.

Strollers plus dog walking — multi tasking at it’s best

Get the stroller out, put it in the backyard and practice walking the dog along with stroller. The easiest way in my opinion is using a belted leash available at most pet stores (locally and large box ones). If this is something you really want to incorporate into your daily/weekly postpartum routine, practice with your dog as often as possible. I used to make a game of it with my dog. Every so many meters I would ask my “look at me” and then reward her for doing so. Practice stopping and starting and encourage the dog to sit every time you stop the stroller. A simple command like “let’s go” cues your dog to start walking again. Never clip a leash to the stroller.

Pacifiers and Pooches

This one is from my own experience and something I never thought to teach my dog about. If you’re not planning on using pacifiers/soothers with your baby this can be applied to teething toys, bottles, and/or pretty much anything that babies put in their mouths. Buy a couple of soothers, teething toys, bottles (or borrow some from families that are finished with them) and lay scatter them on the floor. Invite your dog into the space and as your dog begins to either mouth or sniff (whatever your preference may be) play a game of recall/freeze/watch me (whatever game they’re good at and will essentially distract them) then praise them for their action and thank your dog for alerting you to the item on the floor.

Getting used to new toys and getting ready for baby #3

Co-sleeping, dogs and the hard truth.

If your really interested in co-sleeping with your baby, but your dog sleeps on your bed, you either need to teach your dog to sleep on the floor/dog bed by your bed or consider using a bassinet next to the bed for baby. Co-sleeping is not encouraged by most health authorities, but let’s be honest, some of those first nights are long and sometimes that’s the only way you can all get some sleep. There are baby bassinets that will attach to the side of your bed, which may allow you the best of both worlds, dog in the bed and baby right beside you. Please use these types of bassinets with caution and thoroughly read the instructions. In the end, please do not sleep with both baby and doggie in your bed with your and your partner.

These are tips to prep your beloved fur baby for your new baby before baby arrives home, next post I’ll discuss how to ease your pooch into family life and some doggie behaviour patterns to watch out for.