Pet Adoption – Dogs

And Baby Makes Four....

Elisabeth Guillet Vlk

Bringing a new baby home with one or more pets in the house need not be an ordeal if parents take the time to plan in advance of the new arrival.

Of course, we're mainly talking about canine family members, turtles and goldfish are no problem. Cats might be more aloof than usual after a baby comes home, but they won't harm a baby. Although they will inevitably jump into the baby's crib out of simple curiosity, particularly if a mobile has been set up complete with dangling objects, cats do not suck the baby's milk or breath away. These are nothing more than silly old wives' tales.

Your dog is the one who will need the most adjustment to baby. On rare occasions, dogs have been known to bite an infant when their orientation to the baby has been neglected.

Here's how to foster a healthy relationship between your dog and your baby so your baby will be safe and so dog and child will enjoy a special closeness for years to come.

• The best thing to do is to simulate the baby's presence in the household before the birth. Purchase the baby's things in advance: the crib, bassinet, mobile and set them up early enough to give your pet time to become familiar with the new surroundings.
• If your dog has never been around babies, take it someplace where there are some: a friend's house, for example to see how it reacts. While showing your pet that others do exist in the world, continue to shower you dog with affection.
• Dogs experience life through their noses, so give them a preview of the baby's smells. Take them into the baby's room for a whiff of baby lotion or you might sprinkle some baby powder or oil on your skin so your dog becomes familiar with that scent.
• Take your animal to the vet to be checked for parasites, to have immunizations updated and to be groomed claws or nails clipped.
• Once you come home from the hospital with the baby, let your pet sniff and satisfy its curiosity about the newcomer, but never leave a baby alone with the animal until you know for sure that the pet poses no danger.
• If the baby's crying upsets your pet, soothe it immediately afterward to let it know there's nothing to be afraid of.
• Have family or friends who know your pet greet it first before going to visit the new baby.
• As animals must be taught about babies, so must babies be taught about animals. As soon as your child is old enough to interact with the pet, begin teaching the proper way to pet and handle the animal.
• Use your hands to direct the baby's hands as she strokes the animal's fur. Most important, teach you child that your pet is entitled to privacy and that certain possessions belong only to the animal's pet's food and water dishes in particular.

Above all, be sure to continue to give your pet lots of attention. It needs to know you still love it, especially when you're spending a lot of time with the new baby.

By giving your dog plenty of attention at the proper time, you can create a healthy bond between your dog and your baby. A child who enters the world with a pet has a best friend from day one.