What I learned at my Pets and Babies class! For pet (dog) owners!

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LoveyQ
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Member since 11/07

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What I learned at my Pets and Babies class! For pet (dog) owners!

DH and I went to our first baby prep class today, called Pets and Babies. The instructor went over important things and recommendations - here's a small summary:

(FYI: A few of these things I had heard from other LIF users, so while I feel that I didn't learn AS MUCH as my DH or the other people did, I do like that an expert reiterated these things so I know they are tried and true for more than just one or two people, KWIM? And I did learn a few things.)

- Have your DH bring something home from the hospital with baby's smell on it each day you're there (blanket, onesie, even a wet diaper!) for dog to smell.

- When you come home from hospital, walk in by yourself (no baby) and greet the dog, give him/her affection, etc. Then have your DH walk in with the baby and let your dog sniff baby, baby's feet, etc.

- If you plan on sleeping with the baby/having it in your bed, make sure you do not allow your dog on your bed. Before baby arrives, train the dog to not get on your bed - this applies is you want to use a co-sleeper too as they can easily jump into the co-sleeper and accidentally hurt or smother a baby (they may just want to cuddle, but even a smaller dog can hurt a small infant that still cannot turn or move on their own).

- Make as many changes BEFORE baby arrives so that the dog doesn't associate the changes with the baby.

- Once baby arrives, if you bring baby a toy, bring your dog a toy too. Give the dog the toy first, then give baby their toy.

- Establish boundaries for the dog AND the baby when it comes to toys. They should each know which toys are theirs.

- Gate off the area with your dog's food and water bowls! Baby WILL eat anything they find and although VERY unlikely, they can drown if they get their head into a bowl of water and can't get themselves back up. They also recommend that you gate off your kitchen - many accidents have happened when a baby is underfoot and a parent doesn't realize it.

- Also gate off any litter or wee wee pad area - you don't want baby to be getting into this area.

- If your dog or cat is jealous with your attention, try practicing before baby arrives with a doll (I had heard this before, but honestly thought it was kinda silly... the instructor made it make sense). They recommend you put whatever lotions you plan on using on baby onto the doll and then hold it while you lay on your bed or glider (whatever you plan on doing when baby arrives) and let your dog smell it etc. Don't let your dog jump on you when you carry the doll so they get used to it.

- If you normally give your dog belly rubs or special time, continue to do this after baby arrives. Also, if you are spending a lot of time with baby (very likely) then have your DH spend more time with the dog so that he/she doesn't feel left out.

- Set up baby's toys before baby arrives and turn on any sounds/music that they have so your dog can get used to it.

- We also were taught dog CPR!!! Where to find a dog's pulse and how to give them breaths (for example if they were to get electrocuted by biting a cord, etc).

I think these were the major points. Hope this helps some other pet owners!

Posted 1/10/10 9:32 PM