For any parent, they will tell you that having a child is one of the most changing events in the world. Despite being deprived of sleep, most parents find a way of bringing up a new child until they become of age. People have written millions of publications on how to bring up healthy children. However, what happens when you already have a pet before the arrival of the baby?
It is factual that you will find relatively very little on the internet on how to prepare your pet on the new human arrival. Although research shows that most dogs can predict that a baby is on the way, they do not have an idea of handling the big news. Parents should, therefore, learn about the different techniques of preparing the pet to avoid depressing them when the baby comes.
1. Safety
The first step should always be ensuring safety for your child and pet. Although most children and pets always end up having ideal relationships, parents should not assume that this will always be the case. Most doctors will always advise that babies and pets are not left alone in one room until they are accustomed to the setup. The worst mistake you can do is getting home from the hospital and end up locking the dog in the kitchen simply because there is a young one.
However, this does not mean that they should not be locked. What is needed is prior preparation; let them know that staying away from you is also a chance for them to relax. Most pets get too attached to their owners, and they should, therefore, not be separated. However, for safety reasons, create a stair gate to ensure that although there is a barrier between your baby and the pet, they do not feel shut out of your lives.
2. Privacy
Human beings value personal space; your pets need their space as well. You need to prepare somewhere they can walk into for a retreat. For the cats, they prefer high areas such as on top of wardrobes. You should, therefore, prepare them a quiet and comfortable place for them to collect their peace when the noise in the house escalates.
As for the dogs, you should consider having a comfortable and warm crate at a corner in your house. This is a place where they can sleep or stretch if the noise from the child persists. Preparing such areas early enough communicates to the pet that they have a place where their peace remains undisturbed.
3. Teach them on walking when on leash
Most dogs have a habit of pulling when they take the lead during walks. However, if a baby is on the way, you should teach your dog how to walk slowly and politely. When the baby comes, the dog will know how to walk slowly, alongside the crew. Being pulled with a young one on your back may not be an enjoyable experience.
The other trick is teaching them that you are carrying a young human who needs attention and care while walking. You can start by carrying and talking to a bundle of blankets or clothes. Since we are used to talking to the dogs when taking a walk, they might assume that the whole conversation is directed to them. For this reason, you should let them know that you are also talking to someone else on your arms.
Moreover, tame your dog to ensure that they do not jump up and down, trying to find out what you are carrying. The best way to achieve this is by rewarding them with small treats if they show obedience. To ensure proper diet for him, ensure that you get the best dog food for small dogs in the food store.
4. Desensitize your pets
Some family members get too uncomfortable when new cries arrive in the house. However, have you ever wondered how your pet would react to such random screams from the newborn? For most animals who are sound-sensitive, they may fall into depression. As their master, you are obliged to teach them that these are noises that one can ignore.
The best way to handle the problem is by playing recorded clips of crying babies. You can adjust the sounds from low to high, depending on how your child will turn out. Ensure that the pet remains relaxed after the adjustment of the full volume. If they can handle recorded clips, they will remain calm even in the presence of a loud child. If they show some signs of discomfort, give them some treats to teach them that such cries are connected to good things. However, if the problem persists, visit a qualified behaviorist for professional care.
Pets are part of the house, and the presence of a new child should not be a reason to forget them. All you need to do is to prepare the pets before such unexpected arrivals. Regardless of what you do, never make them feel neglected; they might end up propagating the hate to the baby.
