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Introducing the Family Dog to the New Baby

After welcoming a baby in to the world you are probably concerned about how your dog is going to react to him or her. Many people surrender their pets to shelters because of exhibited jealousy from their dog after a new baby’s arrival and fear of the infant being harmed by the animal.

Yet many families have been successful in introducing their dogs to the new baby. Introducing your dog to you baby is a process that needs time and the utmost of care to ensure a happy and safe welcoming process! The steps to ensuring your dog acts appropriately around the baby when he or she is finally taken back to your home are twofold usually – preparing your dog for the infants arrival and introducing your dog to your infant.

Preparing your dog: Preparing your dog for the baby’s arrival in advance is one of the best ways to help avoid friction and jealousy between your baby and your dog. Your dog is used to your attention and pampering, some jealousy will naturally surface when your new baby becomes the center of attention.

Taking some precautions, a few minutes of quality time and some extra treats can go a long way! Be sure to:

• Take your dog to your local Veterinarian for a complete checkup a few months before the baby arrives.

• Worms and parasites can be harmful to your baby so be sure to worm your dog before the baby arrives and at the normal intervals to keep on top of this problem. If your dog is not spayed or neutered, this is also the time to get it done.

• Encourage friends with infants to visit your home to accustom your pet to babies. Supervise all pet and infant interactions.

You can visit the Secrets to Dog Training site by clicking right here

• Allow your dog to explore the baby’s sleeping, diaper changing areas, and related items such as baby powder, lotions, and diapers to become familiar with the new smells and objects. Apply baby lotion or powder to your hands, for example, and allow your dog to sniff the new smell. Dogs rely on their sense of smell, so familiarity with the new baby smells will help him or her recognize the baby as a part of the family. If possible, allow your dog to smell clothing that your baby has used before you bring the baby home.

• Accustom your pet to baby-related noises months before the baby is expected. For example, play recordings of a baby crying (there are CDs out now for this exact training purpose – (see www.soundtherapy4pets.com/ for CDs with baby noises), turn on the mechanical infant swing, and use the rocking chair. Make these positive experiences for your pet by offering a treat or playtime.

• Do not allow your dog to sleep on the baby’s furniture or play with the baby’s toys. Your dog should know that the furniture is not for him or her and should treat it as such. Provide toys for the dog that do not resemble baby toys. A dog may take the toy from the baby’s hand and unintentionally injure the infant.

• If the baby’s room will be off-limits to your pet, install a sturdy barrier such as a removable gate (available at pet or baby supply stores) or, for jumpers, even a screen door. Because these barriers still allow your dog to see and hear what’s happening in the room, your dog will feel less isolated from the family and more comfortable with the new baby noises.

• Use a baby doll to help your pet get used to the real thing. Carry around a swaddled baby doll, take the doll in the stroller when you walk your dog, and use the doll to get your pet used to routine baby activities, such as bathing and diaper changing.

• Finally and very importantly, be sure that your dog knows that you and your family are alpha over him or her – this is crucial to ensure you can reprimand your dog should any jealous signs show when the baby is brought home. Introducing your dog to your infant: The actual introduction of your dog to your newborn baby is of utmost importance and the first few meetings can often dictate how your dog responds to your baby in an ongoing basis. For this reason, it is crucial to undertake the introduction process slowly and properly. Tips for the first meeting include:

• When the baby comes home, another person should hold the baby while you greet your dog. Your dog has missed you and it is important to pay attention to him or her when you first get home. • Greet your dog happily and bring him or her a new toy as a gift to associate the baby with something positive. After your dog’s excitement about your homecoming has dissipated you should start introducing your baby to the dog.

• If you are unsure of you dog’s behavior, leash or restrain him or her during the introduction. Talk to your dog, pet and encourage him or her to get a good look and sniff the baby’s hands and feet. Do not force a reluctant dog by pushing the infant in front of the pet. Allow the pet to explore the new smells at their own pace. Never leave your baby unsupervised with your pet. An infant is incapable of pushing the animal away and your dog may inadvertently smother the child. The actions of a baby may scare your dog and cause it to bite in self-defense. If your dog reacts aggressively, put him or her in another room until it is calm and try the introduction again.

• After the initial greeting, you can bring your pet with you to sit next to the baby; reward your pet with treats for appropriate behavior. Remember, you want your pet to view associating with the baby as a positive experience. Again, to prevent anxiety or injury, never force your pet to get near the baby, and always supervise any interaction.

• Life will no doubt be hectic caring for your new baby, but try to maintain regular routines as much as possible to help your pet adjust. And be sure to spend one-on-one quality time with your pet each day—it may help relax you, too. With proper training, supervision, and adjustments, you, your new baby, and your pet should be able to live together safely and happily as one (now larger) family. For more information on dog training techniques and how to deal with problem dog behavior (like accustoming your dog to children), check out Secrets to Dog Training. It’s the complete manual for dog ownership and is designed to fast-track your dog’s learning.

You can visit the Secrets to Dog Training site by clicking right here

Exercise is a major part of our dogs’ lives. Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer”, tells us that to maintain a healthy relationship with our beloved pooches, that relationship should consist of 50% physical exercise, 25% discipline, and 25% affection… Read the whole article right here, GERMAN SHEPHERD LEASH TRAINING

Most of us have seen a beautiful, majestic German shepherd pulling and struggling against the poor dog walker trying to hold it back. German shepherds are strong dogs, and they have a lot of pulling power.

Dog Training Secrets

Walking a dog that pulls, barkshttp://www.german-shepherd-obedience-training.com/wp-admin/tools.php, and struggles against you is no fun. Many times people do not walk their dog because they cannot control it. People, that is not a valid reason for NOT walking your dog. You can train you dog. It is possible. It’s not that hard. You can learn how to do that online, from home. It’s not expensive to learn.

Dog Training Secrets

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by Dr. Jane
You might think that our homebody companion animals experience less stress than their outdoor ancestors, who struggled with the elements and uncertain food supplies. However, some veterinarians believe that their overall stress levels have actually increased over time. In this post, Dr. Jane addresses the effects of stress on the body and the steps you can take to minimize pet stress. Learn more now …

http://www.experts-at.com/Dog-German-Shepherd/German-Shepherd-Handbook.htm

German Shepherd dogs are naturally playful, inquisitive and curious. A bored dog can quickly become destructive as he looks for things to occupy his mind. This can mean digging holes in your garden, ripping laundry off the line, chewing your favorite shoes or barking out of sheer boredom.

Play-time is about giving him a bit of time to just be a bit silly and have some fun, but it’s also an important time to reinforce the bond between you and your dog.

Play-time should be an important part of your dog’s exercise routine and should be something your dog finds fun and entertaining. This can mean teaching your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and then throwing it around for him in the yard or at the park. Most German Shepherds love to play a game of tug-of-war, so find a suitable rope-toy and encourage him to play with you. This helps to strengthen shoulders and jaw muscles.

You can also incorporate games that stimulate his mind and his need to hunt, such as hide-and-seek. German Shepherds enjoy tracking down an owner who is hiding in a closet, behind a bush, around the side of the house or behind a door, so make it a fun game and praise him when he finds you.

http://www.experts-at.com/Dog-German-Shepherd/German-Shepherd-Handbook.htm

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