Puppies and Babies
Most of us have fond memories of our first four-legged buddy. Is there anything better than doggie snuggles? Although puppies and babies make for the perfect photo op, care should be taken to ensure a beautiful relationship blossoms between these important family members. We all know how babies become the center of our lives when we bring them into our home, so we need to remember that our fur babies still need our attention too. They’re probably wondering what that little critter is, why is smells so funny, and why it’s so noisy. Let’s help sort it out.
A new puppy and a baby at the same time? It sounds so adorable, doesn’t it? They would be the best of friends growing up and experience many firsts together.
- If this is your plan, keep in mind both babies will be hogging much of your sleep for the first months. Discuss the time and energy commitments of your growing family with your partner and other family members.
- Puppies chew up anything in sight, so baby toys, pacifiers, and the like won’t be safe on the floor. A back up of baby’s favorites may not be a bad idea.
- Prepare to become an expert at poop patrol, inside and out. Enough said on that topic.
- Experts suggest playing a recording of a baby crying several times before bringing baby home to get your puppy, or even adult dog, used to this new noise.
- Another thing you’ll want to consider is that puppies are babies too. They’re not sure what to think of this tiny little person and could misbehave a bit. Close supervision is a must! If you’re up for a challenge, this could be an exciting way to start your new family for sure.
For those where fur babies are already established members of the family, you can help make bringing home baby easier on them. It’s important to do your research. Here are a few of our thoughts.
- One great idea is to bring home something from the hospital with the baby’s scent on it, such as a burp cloth, for the dog to smell before the baby comes home. This will help them be a little more familiar with baby’s scent when they arrive. They’ll definitely want to sniff like crazy on the squirming new little create once home, but do so at a safe distance, decreasing it as you feel comfortable.
- Practice taking the dog on your regular walks with the stroller or baby carrier along. This will help the dog, as well as you, get more comfortable with the new accessories and routine.
- Establish boundaries involving the baby’s space, such as the nursery, playpen, floor mat, etc. well ahead of the baby’s arrival.
- It’s also key to never leave your bundle of joy unattended with any animals in the home. No matter their temperament or breed, a tug on a tail or a tiny finger in the eye can startle even the gentlest critter.
Your sweet fur baby can sense the changes in energy in your home, so be proactive. Don’t wait until the moment you bring home the baby to impose new rules and abruptly change your dog’s routine. That may create some tough situations. Your new baby’s safety is the number one priority, so do whatever you can to prepare everyone in the household for their arrival. Whether a new puppy or a longtime furry member of the family, be ready to watch a wonderful friendship develop, and get that camera ready! Oh, and kittens and babies are super adorable too.