Preparations should begin months before the baby arrives. If your dog does not know how to sit, stay, lie down or come when called, it should be taught to do so. If your dog already knows these commands but is unreliable, you should practice obedience exercises with the dog.
Even if you consider your dog "pretty good," that may not be good enough and could lead to your having a false sense of security. Imagine how your dog, if excited, will react when you bring the baby home. Would he reliably sit and stay or lie down and stay without rushing toward the infant?If you have had some experience training a dog you might try obedience procedures at home. Otherwise it would be best to take your dog to a good, humane training class.
Next work with the obedience commands "sit" and "stay" as you begin doing things that resemble "baby activities" near the dog. For example, you might pick up a doll, cradle it, rock it and walk back and forth. Periodically reward the dog with tidbits, petting or praise for remaining in the sitting position while this is going on.
If the opportunity is available, it would be ideal for the owners to expose their dog or cat to real babies belonging to friends or neighbors, in a controlled manner to ensure the infant's safety. This procedure should be considered only if the pet is already reliably trained and controllable.
The animal should gradually be exposed to babies until he can remain relaxed in their presence. This may require several sessions.
Another alternative that might work better for cat owners, would be to make a recording of a baby crying and play it occasionally. Don't force your animal to stay if he tries to run. But do praise when the animal stays, to encourage positive behavior around real babies.
A dog is more likely to react and become disturbed when a baby is crying. This is due to dogs' natural instinct to behave as social creatures. For some, a crying infant arouses the urge to answer this plea for help. Your dog may run frantically around the room, whining or barking, and imploring you with his eyes. "The dog is saying, `What can I do? How can I fix it? Is there danger,' " says Dr. Peter Borchelt, founder of Animal Behavior Consultants Inc., in New York City.
Before bringing the new baby home, bring home a blanket that the baby has been wrapped in to familiarize the pet with the child's scent. Also let the pet explore the baby's new room and smell the unfamiliar scents of baby powders and lotions.
On homecoming day, hold off the formal introductions. Spend the first five to 10 minutes with the pet alone to assure him of your continued and renewed love. Wait until he has given you his welcome-home licks and greetings before you introduce him to the new family member.
Be sure to include the family pet in activities with the new baby. By doing so he is less likely to feel left our or forgotten because of the new family addition. Also, be sure to spend time with the pet alone. This will satisfy his need for attention and help him accept the child as a loving member of the family.
Dr. Ann Cain, family therapist and professor of psychiatric nursing at the University of Maryland, also believes in the significant role pets play in a newborn's life. "For instance, as adults, we tend to avoid our basic need for touch and open expressions of love. A pet teaches children from day one that touch is a very healthy, stimulating and rewarding sense," Cain says.
In addition we all know how inquisitive children are. Even at the newborn stage a pet helps develop the child's motor coordination. Children often follow a pet's movements, back and forth across the room with their eyes. This activity helps develop eye coordination and makes the baby cognizant of his surroundings.
One of the most significant benefits to the small child is that he or she can look straight into the eyes of a furry, four-footed friend. In a world where everyone and everything seems so big, a pet provides a sense of security and companionship.
All of the wonderful qualities that pets provide adults - unconditional love, security and companionship - are equally important to children. Most important, research is finding that pet ownership significantly benefits the young child who has grown up with a pet from the earliest stages of life. Specifically, these adults are most likely to exhibit positive personality traits such as confidence, self esteem and leadership.
For more information on how to introduce a new baby to the family pet contact Salt Lake County Animal Services Education Program, 264-2247, for a free brochure.