Preparing Your Pet For Your New Baby

If you're expecting a baby, you might think you've prepared your family, your house and your life adequately for the big event, but wait - have you prepared your pet? Don't laugh; it's important if you want your dog or cat and the baby to become good friends, Here's what a nationally recognized animal trainer suggests:

1. Be sure your pet is well trained and will sit and stay on command. It's easy to say, but you may even want to consider obedience training.

2. Teach your pet not to jump if that's been a problem. As silly as it sounds, you might practice walking around the house, carrying a doll just to get your pet used to the idea.

3. If you can arrange it, let your pet spend a little time with a friend's baby to get used to the difference between adults and kids.

4. And, before you bring the baby home from the hospital, let your pet sniff a blanket that the baby has slept with to get used to the unfamiliar scent.

5. Finally, and this will remind you of tips for helping a first child adjust to a new baby, when you come home from the hospital with the baby, spend a few minutes alone with the pet to assure it of your continuing affection.

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