It’s natural for pets to receive less of your attention when you bring home the new baby. It’s hard for pets to understand why they are no longer the focus! By taking the time to prepare your pets for the arrival of your new baby, you can alleviate potential problems down the road. There are many simple steps you can take before the arrival to help ensure a smooth transition. It’s important to encourage interaction between your pet and your baby in the first several days.

1. In the months leading up to the birth of your child, take your pet to the vet to get up to date on all vaccinations and for a physical. If your pet isn’t spayed or neutered this is the best time to take care of this. This can resolve most aggressive behavior. Discuss any concerns about your pregnancy and your pet with your vet.
2. Determine if there will be any changes in your pet routine due to the arrival of a new baby. The months leading up to the big day is the time to acclimate your pet to changes in feeding schedule, access to restricted areas and outside/inside routines .
3. If your pet has behavior problems, schedule a class and step up discipline before the arrival of baby. A pet jumping on people and not following commands can be a hazard to a newborn. Make sure your dog is trained to obey the basic commands: sit, stay, down, and heel.
4. Before baby arrives, allow your pet to enter the nursery and sniff around. If possible, bring something of baby’s home from the hospital for your pet to smell before you bring home baby. This allows you pet an opportunity to become familiar with the new baby’s smells. You can play a CD of baby sounds to help get your pet comfortable with the sounds a newborn makes.
5. Socialize your pet as much as possible with babies and children. Invite friends over who have children and when possible visit them in their home. Take your pet on walks and to parks where you have the opportunity to allow children to come up close to interact with your pet. This helps your pet to become used to the activity levels of small children.

The initial introduction is the most important and it should be a positive experience. Experts recommend allowing someone else to enter the room with the baby while the parents encourage the pet with positive reinforcement. Your pet will pick up on how you feel, if you feel nervous, so will they. Pets sense a great amount via taste, if you are comfortable with allowing your pet to lick the newborn on the leg, this can go a long way towards creating a positive bond between baby and pet.

Please add your own advice on how you have introduced your child to your pet!