Page 10 - EASEL Animal Rescue League SPRING 2018

KIDS CORNER: Written by kids

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR YOUR BABY
By Ananya Chandra

The arrival of a baby is a joyous occasion, but will your dog
feel the same?

Changing the Schedule and Routine

One of the most important things to do for preparing your dog
for a new baby is to change up your dog’s schedule and daily
routine. If your dog gets fed promptly at 7:30, start feeding
your dog
breakfast at different times, mimicking the unpredictable
schedule of a baby. If your dog enjoys interacting with other dogs, consider taking him or her to a daycare once
or twice a week. You may also want to hire a dog walker to walk your dog once or twice a week, as you will be
spending most of your time with the baby and not always have the time to walk your dog yourself. If you
want to take things up a notch, get up in the middle of the night with your dog, and teach him or her to be quiet
in the area in which you plan to nurse the baby. Since you will not always have the time to play with your dog,
schedule cuddle/play sessions once a day, and gradually make them shorter and shorter. Try to not spoil your
dog with attention before the baby arrives. Try all these strategies a few weeks before the baby’s initial arrival.

New Rules

Your dogs privileges and general behavior may be okay with you, but rules need to be set so your baby has a
pleasant stay. Do not let your dog onto the beds or couches. If your dog sleeps with you and you would like this
to change, make sure your dog receives a comfortable dog bed for him or her to sleep on.
Teach your dog to stay on all fours almost all the times, so he or she does not jump on you while the baby is in
your arms. If your dog likes to bark at squirrels or mailmen, make sure to teach your dog to limit the number of
times he or she lets out a bark so your baby does not wake up in the middle of a nap to the sounds of yips and
howls. Consider buying a dog barrier or seatbelt for the car, so the baby does not get scratched by your dog.

Will your dog be allowed access to the baby’s room?

If you do not want your dog entering the baby’s room, teach your dog to sit-stay or down-stay at the door unless
he or she is invited inside.

If your dog will be allowed to enter the baby’s room, keep a dog bed in an out-of-the-way spot in the room, as
well as a bag of dog treats. Occasionally leave a few treats on the bed when he or she is not looking. Your dog
will come to love her new spot in the baby’s room! But you also need to teach your dog to stay quiet. While you
rock your baby to sleep or nurse, you cannot have your dog and howling. Schedule sessions with your dog to
practice staying quiet with you.

While you sit on a chair, your dog can relax on her bed. Try giving your dog a toy or chew bone during these
sessions. When you feed your baby, once he or she arrives, toss some treats to your dog when you feed your
baby. This will make he or she happy to be around the baby and reward him or her for staying quiet.
Some dogs might think a baby’s crib is the perfect place to doze off! If your dog is able to climb into the crib,
make it clear that he or she will never have permission to sleep there. If your dog spends more than a few
seconds exploring the crib, call her to come to you. If she obeys, praise him or her. If your dog makes an attempt