How will Rover adjust to not being the only baby in the home?

Are you nervous about getting your fur baby ready for your human baby?

So you´re going to have a baby. What an exciting and joyous time for your family. Oh wait, you already have a fur baby who gets plenty jealous when you hold a friends baby. Your excitement turns to worry. Fear not, the following tips should help you help Rover get ready for baby.

1. You should start getting Rover ready for baby as soon as you find out that you are expecting. There are a lot of things to do before you welcome your new child into the world, you don´t want your dog to get lost in the shuffle. Pick up a few pieces of baby gear well ahead of time to get your pooch accustomed to them. Teach him ahead of time that he is not allowed anywhere near the crib. You will also want to take him out for walks with the stroller before baby arrives. Yes, you will look quite silly with a dog and an empty stroller. But, if Rover is already used to the stroller as a part of your daily routine it will be much easier to fit the baby into that part of his day.
2. Remember that you are always better safe than sorry. The baby may be two months old and Rover may have been nothing but gentle but you just can´t be too careful. Always keep the door to your babies room closed when he is sleeping, at the very least, if your dog is not a jumper, keep that opening gated. Make sure you keep a monitor in baby´s room when the door is closed. Also remember to never, ever leave baby alone with Rover or put baby on the floor near your pooch.
3. Implement a routine before baby arrives that you can keep after baby arrives. There is no doubt that Rover is going to feel left out when the new baby gets here. If there is a dependable routine in place, your pooch will be able to look forward to his quality time with you.

As with any other behavior you are trying to teach your dog, remember that positive reinforcement is the key! When you see him keeping his distance from the crib or laying a safe distance away from the baby´s bouncer reward him with a treat and smother him with praise.

Rover is observant and as he gets used to the new person in his home make sure he doesn´t feel left out. New parents and the baby receive a lot of new gifts during the time leading up to the birth and the first few months after birth, all of which are off limits to Rover. Remember to treat him with special gifts as well. A cozy new bed would be a great baby coming home gift for Rover. Keep a well stocked treat cabinet so there are plenty of rewards for his positive behavior. Also keep a variety of toys on hand so you can give Rover a paws-on gift when your visitors are bringing you and baby paws off gifts.