The good thing is that, done in a careful manner, its possible to introduce your pet to your new member of the family. With proper planning, its possible to train your dog to interact with your baby and the baby to love your dog

How to Get the Dog Used to the Baby

Expecting a new baby at home brings a time time of change, discovery and joy in the home. If you own a dog, you may have fears of your baby will interact with your new baby. Don't worry though. If you prepare early in advance, you should be able to minimize any situations that might arise.

For example, if the dog likes to roam freely in the house and all the rooms, start teaching him not to enter particular rooms that serve as the nursery. Keep the doors closed so that the dog realizes that the room is not part of his. Afterwards, get the pet used to being in the room without you.

Keep the nursery door closed when assembling the baby furniture. When you do this, the dog learns that even though there is activity in the room, he is not welcomed.

Have you ever taken your dog to obedience training school? If he's never been to one, this is the opportune time for you and him to attend. The advantage is that not only does it allow you to spend quality time with the dog, it also equips you with the appropriate tools required to control the behavior of your dog.

It also helps the dog relax in rooms full of activity including dogs and children.

There are other methods you can teach your dog to get used to the baby. One is buying tapes recorded with voices of babies crying!

You can start by playing the tapes at low volume until the dog gets used to the sound. With time, gradually increase the noise to realistic levels over a period of weeks. With this exercise, it will help your dog not to be alarmed when the baby finally arrives.

When the baby comes home, keep the dog away from the baby for a few days. By now he has already gotten used to the baby noises. You can get him used to the baby smell by letting him sniff the baby's blanket or let it lie on his sleeping area.

When you are comfortable introducing the baby to the dog, keep the dog on a short leash & give him a reward afterwards.

By rewarding the dog, you are showing him that the baby is a good thing to have around. Please make sure you watch the dog closely when they are in the same room. Do not assume anything! The reason is that it teaches the dog to stop seeing the baby as a threat or something that is out to replace him.

Be alert also when the baby starts to crawl and walk. The dog might get terrified by the baby's movements or might see your baby as prey. The dog needs to get used to the baby moving around apart from being carried also. When the baby is crawling, have the dog next to you and reward him for being still. Over time, the dog will get used to the child moving around.

How to Teach the Child to Safely Interact with the Dog

It's important to teach your child how to interact with the family dog as the child grows. Your child needs to be taught how to play safely with the dog. For example, teach the child not to strike the dog or pull at the dog's fur.

You also need to teach your child not to follow or chase the dog when its runs away from them. Also teach your child not to disturb the dog when it is eating or sleeping.