Baby op komst - en nu?

The arrival of a baby in a family is a major change to which your dog will need to adapt. Below are some tips on what to do to make the transition easier and safer for all concerned.

Things to check in the months leading up to the baby's arrival:

Anticipate routines and household changes that may occur when the baby arrives. Try to implement  these changes in the months before the arrival of the baby. When encountering problems, ask your veterinarian for advice - he may refer you to a qualified animal behaviourist.

Infants are especially vulnerable to some of the diseases transmitted from dogs to humans and taking the correct easy precautions can dramatically reduce the risks. Make sure your dog is healthy and is up to date with his worming tablets and vaccinations. For more information see preventing infections and parasites.

Before introducing a baby in a home with a pet dog, it is crucial to check in how far your dog’s behaviour will represent a problem when combined with a newborn. Enthusiastic behaviours may become a special stressor ( barking while the baby is sleeping) , or represent a potential risk in the presence of a newborn ( jumping up while the baby is on your lap). Check out the quiz section how safe is my dog .

Parents are responsible for the safe cohabitation of their child and dog. The Blue dog Parent guide informs parents how to promote safer interactions between dogs and children.