

Resist the temptation to lavish your dog with extra attention in the weeks before the baby’s due date. Teach her to settle quietly in an area where you plan to nurse the baby. If you’re really ambitious, you can practice getting up in the middle of the night with your dog. Alternatively, you can plan to take your dog to friends’ or family members’ houses once or twice a week for some quality time with people she knows and likes. Investigate your options now, and have your dog spend time at the daycare so that she gets used to this new activity. If your dog enjoys playing with other dogs, consider taking her to a doggie daycare once or twice a week after the baby comes. To help your dog get used to leaving your house without you, you can have the dog walker start taking her on occasional walks. Interview dog walkers and choose one now. These products have built-in timers, so you can set them to deliver food at set times each day, whether you’re around or not.Ĭonsider hiring a dog walker to take over the responsibility of exercising your dog, at least for the first few weeks after the baby arrives. Alternatively, you can plan to stick to your dog’s regular schedule with the help of an automatic feeder. sharp, start feeding her at random times between 6:00 A.M. For example, if she gets breakfast every morning at 7:00 A.M. It may help to prepare your dog for a less consistent daily schedule. Life with a baby can be hectic and sometimes unpredictable. If you plan to walk your dog at different times of day, gradually switch to the new routine. If you plan to nap in the afternoon when the baby is sleeping, start taking occasional afternoon naps. If you can predict how your schedule will change when the baby comes, begin a slow transition toward that new schedule now. Plan and Practice Changes to Your Daily Routine Although things will change with the arrival of your new baby, you can minimize your dog’s stress by gradually getting her used to these changes in advance. Many dogs experience anxiety when their lifestyles are drastically altered.

After more repetitions, try waiting until your dog takes several steps away before you say “Yes!” and toss the treat.When your dog moves in the direction of your gesture, even if she only takes one step, say “Yes!” Then immediately toss a treat four or five feet away, in the direction your dog started to move. Say “Go away,” and move your arm as though you’re tossing a treat. The next step is to refrain from tossing the treat until your dog starts to move away.Show her a treat, say “Go away,” and toss the treat four or five feet away from you.
#Teach dog to stick em up how to#
Here’s how to teach your dog this invaluable skill: Many dogs don’t realize that moving away is an option! If she learns that she can simply walk away from the baby when he makes her nervous, she’ll never feel trapped in a stressful situation-and she won’t be forced to express her anxiety by growling or snapping. For example, you can use this cue to tell your dog to move away from the baby if he’s crawling toward her and she seems uncomfortable. Teaching your dog to go away when you ask will enable you to control her movements and interactions with your baby. After your dog learns how to target your hand, you can even teach her to gently touch the baby with her nose! Hand targeting: If your dog is nervous or timid, teaching her to target your hand with her nose will give her something to do when she’s around the baby, which might make her feel more comfortable and confident.Relax in a crate: If you crate train your dog, you’ll know that she’s safe when you can’t supervise her, and she’ll have a cozy place of her own to relax when things get hectic.Greet people politely: A jumping dog can be annoying at best-and dangerous at worst-when you’re holding the baby.Leave it and drop it: These two behaviors can help you teach your dog to leave the baby’s things alone.For example, you can teach your dog to lie down and stay whenever you sit in your nursing chair. Stay, wait at doors and settle: These skills can help your dog learn to control her impulses, and they’ll prove useful in many situations.
