Making room for baby F


Preparing a pet for a new baby Story by Mara Knaub


it doesn’t seem foreign. Let him check out the baby room,” Haugo said.


or many people, their pets were their first “ba- bies,” family members who are spoiled and of-


ten the center of attention. So when a family is about to


welcome a new baby, they wonder how they can prepare their cat or dog for the new family member so it doesn’t suffer from a case of “sibling rivalry.” The first step is establishing a


strong relationship with a veterinarian. The Humane Society of the United States recommends taking the pet for a health exam and vaccinations and spaying or neutering it. The organization notes that


sterilized pets have fewer health problems and are calmer and less likely to bite. Dr. Cheryl Haugo, owner of


Desert Veterinary Clinic in Yuma, also suggests obedience training. “One of the things I tell people to


do if they have a dog is obedience training so it knows the basic commands like ‘sit’ and to come when called and ‘off,’ so it will stay off things,” Haugo said. She encourages pet owners to use


positive reinforcement, with praise and treats, rather than scolding or punishing the pet. Both Haugo and Annette


Lagunas, director of operations at the Humane Society of Yuma, believe the best way to prepare a pet for a new baby is to set up the baby’s room and things, such as the crib, stroller, mechanical swing and rocking chair, ahead of time. “This way the dog gets used to


them,” Lagunas said. “They’re scary to animals at first.” Pets should be allowed to check


out stuffed animals and toys, especially those that make noises, so they’ll be used to them by the time baby arrives. “Let the dog check out the baby junk so it doesn’t smell foreign, so


8 Raising Yuma Pet owners


can make these experiences positive by giving the dog or cat a treat or making it part of playtime. Haugo believes pet owners


don’t need to worry unnecessarily about a dog bringing in germs into a baby’s room. “With good housekeeping, there


shouldn’t be a reason to keep the dog out of the room.” She also dismisses the “old wives tale” that a cat will smother a baby. “Most times the cat freaks out,


runs and hides, or it’s curious, will hang out, smell and walk off.” Before the baby arrives home, pet


owners should teach the dog to stay seated in the presence of the “baby junk,” Haugo said. This way, if the dog sees the baby in the carrier, for example, it will know to stay seated. “Once the baby is born and before


the baby comes home from the hospital, bring something that has the smell of the baby, like a receiving blanket, so it doesn’t smell so weird to the dog,” she added. Haugo also suggests that when


the baby comes home, have the dog sit and stay and let the pet greet mom while dad holds the baby. ”He will have missed her,” she


noted. Then present the baby to the dog


when it’s calmed down. At least two people should be in the room, one controlling the dog and giving the commands and treats. The other holds the baby. Once the pet checks out the baby,


the pet will “know the baby isn’t some foreign awful thing to be jealous of,” Haugo said. “It’s very, very important to let


baby be a nothing to the dog, not a toy, nothing he should pay more attention than anything else.” Slowly with time, let the dog have


more and more freedom. Once used to the baby, let the dog wander around and walk freely in the house but always supervised. “Never, never – I don’t care how


well trained he is – should a dog be left alone in a room with the baby, not even for a minute. Babies make strange noises, they do strange things. Dogs don’t understand, they don’t get it’s a person yet,” Haugo said.


Babies require a lot of time and


attention, but experts remind pet owners not to forget the pet. Nikole Gripps, an animal behaviorist, suggests on www. babycenter.com that pet owners set up a private spot for the dog or cat.


Lila Gabel and Scoop


“Pick a place where he won’t be disturbed, like a laundry room, a dog crate, or, for a cat, a high shelf. Stock it with his food bowl, water dish, blanket, and favorite toys. This will give your pet a safe, quiet space to retreat to when he’s overstimulated by household commotion or your crying baby,” she said. Haugo has another suggestion.


“Give the dog its own special time, take walks, have play time away from the baby so it doesn’t get jealous.”


Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@ yumasun.com or (928) 539-6856.


❤ Other suggestions from the Humane Society of the United States:


• Because a new baby will demand a lot of time and energy, gradually accustom a pet to spending less time with mom. If a pet is particularly attached to the mother-to-be, another family member should develop a closer relationship with the animal. • Do not drastically decrease attention and frequently scold, ignore or isolate a pet after the baby comes home. This will likely make a pet feel stressed.


• Desensitize a pet to the rough handling from young children by gently touching the dog or cat’s mouth, ears, head and tail at mealtimes or play, so it will associate the increased touching with pleasurable things. • To discourage a pet from jumping on the baby’s crib and changing table, apply double-stick tape to the furniture.


• Encourage friends with infants to visit your home to accustom a pet to babies.


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