How much time do you spend with your pet on a daily basis? How will this change with the new arrival?
Ways to Compensate:
*Dog walkers / Doggie Daycare
*Lessen time to 10 – 30 minutes of exclusive dog time daily before arrival of child
*New play that is less demanding on your involvement for example: pay attention to the dog only ten minutes out of every hour. Discover ways the dog can amuse himself safely without your supervision or direct involvement. Some good toys are stuffed kongs or buster cubes.
Travelling
In the car it is not safe to have the dog and your baby in the back seat together. Consider purchasing a dog seat belt. It is the easiest way to ensure the safety of your baby and ensures the dog will be obedient. Secure the dog into the front passenger seat and have one parent sit on the back seat with your new baby.
Toys
What kind of toys is your pet accustomed to having.
Dogs should not have toys that resemble baby toys such as stuffed animals. If your dog loves squeaky toys then ask people not to buy those for your child (and if they do, give the squeaky toy to the dog).
To prevent the dog from chewing your baby's toys, you can try a scent marking exercise. Mark the baby toy with a small swipe of mouthwash or perfume. Place it on the floor beside an appropriate dog toy (tennis ball); put the dog on his lead and flat collar. Ask the dog in a happy voice to get his toy. If he sniffs the baby toy that is within the limits of acceptable behaviour....if he picks up the baby toy step on his lead so he cannot run away. Cue the dog to drop the toy or remove is as gently as possible from his mouth with no emotion. Pick up the dog toy and get excited and play with the dog for five seconds. Repeat the exercise until the dog is consistently picking his toy.
Ways to Prepare