preparing your pet for your baby education officer environmental health department louise laurens

Preparing your pet for your

babyEducation Officer

Environmental Health Department

Louise Laurens

Ideas and tips…This presentation has been designed to give expecting parents a few ideas and tips on preparing their pet for the new

arrival

If you have any concerns please seek professional advice from your Veterinarian

or a professional dog trainer

Never leave ANY dog unattended with any

child or baby

Expecting a baby is a very exciting & special time

Preparing can be scary for the parents and dog

Don’t be scared to ask for help or assistance as you are not alone

Did you know that around 80% of dogs show one or more behaviour problems

These problems can include barking, digging, jumping, escaping, destructiveness and biting

A new baby can be stressful for the pet and high levels of stress can lead to bad

behaviour

It is important for new parents to identify any dog issues before it

becomes a problem

A well behaved dog creates a calmer home environment

Dogs, just like their ancestor the Wolf, live in packs

The dog belongs to your family’s pack

Each pack needs a leader and a pack order

The leader needs to be dependable, consistent, respected and in control at

all times

CONSISTENCY + PATIENCE = RESPECT

You are to eat before feeding the dog or at least have a snack

You are to go through doors and gates first before your dog

Teach your pet manners such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘gentle’

Dogs should have their own bed and should not share yours

Sharing your bed may seem ok to you, but to your dog it

makes you equal and this can cause issues with guarding as it breaks

pack structure

Does your dog:

• Growl at you at any time• Seem pushy• Mouth you• Jump on you• Push past you through a door• Lean on you• Steal objects like socks or mobile

phones• Seem possessive of food or toys• Seem unable to learn

Who is the leader…Did you say yes to any of those

questions?If so is your dog the leader of your pack?

Your dog needs YOUYOU to start training them and preparing them for this new

arrival

Crying CD…This CD is approx 30 minutes of baby crying sounds and is available to borrow from your

midwife

Playing this CD will allow your dog to get used to this new noise

If the dog gets agitated, howls or barks keep playing the CD until the dog is not reacting

Sit and drop…

Refresh your dog’s memory to sit, drop and stay

If your dog doesn’t know how to sit and drop and stay now is the ideal

time to start teaching them

Bringing a nappy home…

When the time arrives and your baby is born get your partner or support person to bring home from the hospital a dirty

nappy for the dog to sniff

Do not leave the nappy down Do not leave the nappy down

as the dog will eat it!as the dog will eat it!

The introduction…When bringing your baby home make the

introduction slowly, calmly and safely

Place your dog on a lead and put them into a sit stay or drop stay position, then when all is calm and you are ready, show the baby to

your dog

Remember to praise all calm behaviour and NEVER leave any dog unattended with a

baby

The pram…Teach your dog to walk calmly

beside the pram

When out walking do NOT attach your dog’s lead to the pram

Worms, Pets and People…

It is important that you worm all your pets on a regular basis

Roundworms can cause blindness in children

It is recommended that all pets be wormed monthly when around babies or children

Did you know …Parasites can live under fingernails for two

months!

Older Pets…Pets over 7 years of age are moving

into their senior years

Be aware of the possibility of sore hips, loss of hearing etc

Regular vet checks are recommended

Cats…It is important cats do not sleep in the cot

Discourage cats from getting into the cot

Prepare cats the same as dogs

Allow time for cats to adjust to the change

Keep litter trays behind a baby gate and out of the way of a crawling baby

Water spray bottles can be used to spray the cat with water as a deterrent

A fly screen door can be fitted on the

nursery to limit your pets access into this

area

Spending time with your pets should be fun, but remember to spend time when youyou are ready, and not when the dog barks or

demands your attention

Never leave ANY pet unattended with any

child or baby

Pets provide unconditional love and companionship to children

Pets don’t judge or criticise children

It is important that you teach children to respect animals and

involve them in training when they are old enough

For any questions please

phone Louise Laurens

on 5433 2326 or email

petsmart@moretonbay.qld.gov.au