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Pets: Tips - prepare baby, pets for homecoming

Thursday, April 19, 2007
When baby comes home

Have your partner or friend bring something home from the hospital with the baby's scent, such as a blanket, and let the pet investigate before you return home.

Your pet will be excited and eager to greet you when you return from the hospital; have someone else take the baby into another room while you give your pet a warm but calm greeting.

After the initial greeting, bring your pet with you to sit next to the baby and reward the pet for appropriate behavior. Remember, you want the pet to view associating with the baby as a positive experience.

Although life will be hectic with a new baby, try to maintain regular routines as much as possible to help your pet adjust. And make sure to spend one-on-one time with your pet.

Never, no matter how well-behaved a dog is around children, leave them alone together.

Prepare pet in advance

Take your pet to the veterinarian for a routine health exam and necessary vaccinations. Check stool samples at least once a year thereafter to make sure they don't have any intestinal parasites, which are transmittable to humans. You especially want to watch that once the baby becomes a toddler and starts putting everything in his or her mouth.

Spay or neuter your pet. Sterilized pets will have fewer health problems associated with their reproductive systems and are also calmer and less likely to bite.

If the thought of your newborn interacting with the family pet makes you uncomfortable, consult a veterinarian or pediatrician.

Consider enrolling in a training class with your dog to address behavior problems. If necessary, consult a dog behavior specialist.

Encourage friends with infants to visit your home and accustom your pet to baby-related sounds.

If the baby's room will be off-limits to the pet, install sturdy barriers such as a removable gate or, for jumpers, even a screen door. Because the dog will still be able to see and hear the baby, they will feel less isolated.

Talk to your pet about the baby, using the baby's name.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Apr. 22, 2007