Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

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Bringing home a new baby is an exciting time.  While you make adjustments to your own life, you should take the time to gradually adjust your dog’s life too.  Now that you have new responsibilities, your pet care schedule is likely to change.  Here are a few tips to help you and your dog adjust to life with a newborn.

Dog Introduction Tips:

• Bad Habits – Everyone gets a bit lax on the discipline from time to time.  However, now is the time to ensure your dog is well-behaved for your child’s safety.
• Grooming - Make sure that there isn’t pet hair hanging around and that your dog doesn’t bring dirt into the house.
• Acclimate – When your new baby arrives, it is going to be your number one priority.  Unfortunately, this means that you might be spending less quality time with your dog.  Gradually adjust your pet by practicing baby routines throughout the day so that your pet learns how to entertain itself for a few hours of the day.
• Introduction – Try to introduce your dog to your friends’ babies.  This experience will give them a better understanding of what it will be like when your newborn arrives home.
• Dog Sitting –Make sure that you schedule time for any dog walkers/sitters, depending on your work and life schedule.
• Exercise – Before introducing your pet, let them exercise.  This will reduce your dog’s energy and help make sure that he or she is calmer when around the baby.

Don’t wait until the baby is born to make these changes.  Give your pet plenty of time to adjust to everything associated with your newborn.  Contact Bregman Vet Group if you have any questions regarding your pet!

Introducing Your Child to a New Pet

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Have you decided to buy or adopt a new pet?  During this exciting time, we encourage you to teach your kids how to interact with this new member of your family.  Here are a few tips to help your kids adjust to a new cat or dog.

How to Interact With a New Pet:

•  Be Gentle – Make sure that kids know to interact with your new pet in a non-threatening way.  Allow your pet to sniff and become familiar with your kids.  Offering a low, closed fist or open palm is a great way to become introduced.
• Be Cautious – New pets are often scared and timid.  Emphasize personal space and keep your kids at a safe distance to make sure that they don’t feel overcrowded.
• Be Calm – Pets react differently from humans.  Loud noises and quick movements can startle them.  Your new pet will feel more at ease if you are gentle and attentive.
• Be Aware of Warning Signs – It is easier for adults to judge when an animal feels uncomfortable.  If your pet turns their head, walks away, puts their ears back, cowers, hides their tail, or bares their teeth, kids should know that it is not a good time to play.

Read more about how you can introduce your child to a new pet here.  New pet owners can also contact any of the Bregman Vet Group offices for advice, medical care, and new pet assistance.