Angel321
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Member since 4/08 15553 total posts
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Your PETS & Your Newborn - a handout I received at a newborn class...
I took some time tonight and typed it out - because i know many girls have had questions about this... some of it seems 'silly'ish'....but a lot of it makes sense if you think about it.... hope it's helpful in some way! 
Eight Steps To Help Your Dog And Cat Adjust To The Arrival Of Your New Baby:
Step 1 – Desensitize Your Pet To All The Sights, Sounds And Smells Of A New Baby.
To make sure your pet is comfortable with all that comes with a new baby, you should start several months before your baby’s arrival.
Sights: set up all the baby paraphernalia in advance. The furniture, mobile, playpen and any other items should be introduced ahead of time.
Sounds: the toys, such as a rattle, musical mobile sound strange to a pet’s ears. The sound of a crying baby is also different. Either record a friends’ infant or buy a sound effects record. Play it at a low volume, while giving your pet lots of attention. Do this for several minutes each day. When your pet displays no reaction to it, gradually increase the volume every day.
Smells: after you have washed the baby clothes, put some, along with some other baby products (wipes, lotion, soap, etc.), on the floor and allow your pet to sniff them. You may want to mix a little ammonia with water and place it on the diaper. This will simulate the smell of a dirty diaper. Hopefully, this will prevent housebreaking regressions when your pet smells that your baby is allowed to have ‘accidents’. The pet may think, ‘if it’s okay for baby, it’s okay for me’.
Step 2 – Let’s Play House.
Buy a doll that resembles a newborn (no rubber babies) and play house. The two parents should hold, cuddle and coo over the doll as if it were real. Many dogs and cats become jealous when Mom’s affectionate to a baby and so they are ordered to move away or are sent outside. You should be able to work out all the kinks and won’t be as fearful of your pet hurting the baby.
Step 3 – A Realistic Schedule.
Begin getting your pet used to a schedule that you feel is realistic and that you will be able to keep when the baby arrives. Start the pet on this feeding and walking schedule now so that they will not experience total chaos when the baby comes home. Make sure you include a 5-10 minute period of ‘quality time’ when you give your pet your total attention: pet the animal, scratch and groom him, play ball or other games with him, etc. This is probably more time, as a block; than you give your pet now, so don’t feel guilty about changing the routine you currently enjoy with your pet.
If you have difficulty controlling your dog on a leash, now is the time to get that under control. Learn to use a Gentle Leader or other dog halter, if you feel the need. Obedience classes might be in order as well.
Step 4 – A Trip To The Vet.
Be sure your pet has a physical exam prior to the new baby’s arrival. Knowing that the animal is free of parasites such as worms and fleas, is up to date on all vaccinations and has nails trimmed will give you peace of mind.
Step 5 – While Mom’s At The Hospital.
While Mom is hospitalized, Dad is often frantic trying to get everything done: time spent at his job, at the hospital, caring for the home, and keeping the family pet on a schedule. Usually it’s our pet’s routine that gives. Have a neighbor with whom your pet is familiar stand by to help. Your animal will be upset with the upheaval of missed meals, fewer and shorter walks, loneliness and then coping with a newborn’s arrival. It’s a good idea for Dad to b ring home a blanket or other article of clothing of the baby’s and allow your pet to smell these. Have these around the house so your pet will become familiar with your baby’s smell.
Step 6 – When Mom Returns Home.
When Mom comes home from the hospital, she should walk in without the baby. (Dad can stay in the car with the baby). Your pet will be excited to see Mom, and this special time alone will give Mom the opportunity to give (and receive) a big greeting. If mom were holding the baby, her natural reaction would be to pull away, afraid that the excited pet may hurt the baby. The stage for some jealousy would then be set. Once the happy reunion is over, Dad may enter with the new baby.
When the initial pandemonium is over, either Mom or Dad should settle on a couch or bed with the baby while the other controls and monitors the pet. Allow your pet to smell the baby while you talking to him gently and pet him. You may need to leash your pet or restrain him to prevent him from making any sudden unexpected aggressive movements toward the baby. DO NOT hold out or dangle the infant in front of your animal.
If the cat hisses or attempts to scratch or the dog growls or glares, pull them back rapidly, rap gently on the nose and say ‘NO’ sternly. Take your pet out of the room if he does not calm down instantly. When he acts normally, you can try to reintroduce the baby to him as stated above. Shower your pet with lots of love if he is calm & happy. If hostile behavior persists, especially with cats, purchase a high powered water pistol and squirt the pet as he begins to hiss or appear aggressive (eyes huge, ears flat back, hair up, lips retracted). Don’t wait until the cat pounces, spray him within the first 30 seconds of displaying these signs of aggression.
Step 7 – When Visitors Come To See The New Baby.
Have a supply of new doggy toys and treats on hand when family and friends come to visit. Give each visitor a new toy or treat and insist they greet and make a fuss over the pet before they go in to see the baby. This will help your pet think that the new baby is the best thing that ever happened to him. Don’t let your pet feel he’s being left out of all the excitement.
Step 8 – Never Leave A Baby Alone With A Pet.
No matter how well you have prepared your pet, and no matter how trusted your pet is, NEVER EVER leave an infant or young child alone with him. Despite all the precautions you can take, accidents will happen. It would be irresponsible to leave any baby or young child unattended, whether there’s a pet in the house or not. And remember, your pet may be a great companion, but he is not a baby-sitter. When only one partner is home those first few weeks, pets should be restrained or confined in the presence of the baby. Baby gates will work well for dogs, but for cats, there are no obstacles. A dog may adjust to leashes, but most cats don’t mind being banished from a room for short periods of time. Under NO circumstances should a pet b e allowed to sleep with or in the same room as the unattended baby. Purchase an intercom and close the door (make sure that the cat is not hiding under the crib before closing the door). Young babies cannot push a pet off them and the pet could smother the baby.
As your child grows, he should be taught not to be rough with your pet. Parents must be role models. Show your child how to gently stroke the pet. No pulling, tugging or pounding on pets. This is especially important if the pet is old, ill or arthritic. To defend himself, these pets’ only defense against a rough child may be to bite.
Numerous studies show that children that grow up with pets are generally more adjusted than those who do not. If you put a little time and effort in prior to your baby’s arrival, there’s no reason why “rover”, “frisky” and your child won’t be friends for life.
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eventually the dog got over it and basically fell more and more in love with DS 
