Before your baby arrives
Making changes to your pet’s routine can
take some time, so it’s important to think
about the general house rules you would
like to have in place when your baby
arrives and start implementing them well
in advance. You may want to consider:
• Behaviours you would like to change,
such as jumping up or barking
• Areas you would like to be off-limits
to your pet (like the baby’s room, cot
or changing table)
• How your pet’s routine may change.
For example, will your cat need to
be outside more? Will your dog be
walked at different times?
• How much time will you be spending
with your pet? Will it decrease when
the baby comes?
Implementing a new routine
Once you decide how you would like
your pet to behave with a baby in the
home, start implementing the new
house rules. Make the changes well
before the baby arrives so your pet has
time to adjust.
Obedience training
As your new baby will frequently be held
in someone’s arms or on someone’s
lap, it’s important your dog learns not
to jump up on people. This can be
done through teaching him/her basic
commands such as “sit” or “down” and
rewarding good behaviour with treats,
petting, play etc.
If you have a cat that likes to jump
into your lap, it’s similarly important to
teach a jump-up command before the
baby is born. Each time your cat hops
onto your lap uninvited, stand up and
put him/her on the ground. Then teach
your cat a jump-up command, possibly
using a treat as a lure, so he/she learns
an invitation is required.
Sleeping and changing areas
Before your child arrives home, allow
your pet to explore the baby’s sleeping
and change areas. This is especially
important with cats. Teach your pet
that these areas are off limits well
before the baby arrives. You may need
to install deterrents in the area such
as a water spray bottle, cat deterrent
spray and/or a door to keep your cat
outside the room.
November 2016
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