Expert Advice on Babies, Kids and Pets -
Andrew's Response

Mum Zone's resident Pet Expert Andrew of Hanrob is available to answer some of your questions.

Topics include: Preparing your dog for a new baby, introducing your children to a dog or cat, identifying dog or cat behaviours, what to do if a dog is aggressive towards you or your child, how to choose the right dog or cat for your family, dog training, how to deal with dog behavioural issues, sleeping arrangements for your pet, pet hygiene, desexing - when to do it, walking your dog with a pram, pet routine and exercise.

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Reader's Question

I have a 10 year old Kelpie cross Border Collie male who has been my one and only 'child'. He is an inside/outside dog, goes wherever I go (if possible) and has had separation issues in the past, so very protective and sooky! My baby is due in March and I would like some advice about what is best to do to get him used to the baby and the idea that is no longer number one.

Andrew's Response

Hi there. First of all, congratulations on the soon-to-be new addition to the family.

The Border Collie is a naturally very loyal, loving dog. They tend to form very strong bonds with their owners, so you have chosen your dog well. At 10 years old, your beloved Border Collie will certainly have some adjusting to do! It is important that you introduce some new boundaries for him well before your new arrival, so I would recommend you start straight away.

Try to change his habits now in preparation. Plan ahead for what changes will be made; if he will need to spend more time outside, begin getting him used to that routine now. It is also very important that you do some obedience training with him and re-establish yourself as the "pack leader". When baby arrives, he will need to see you not as his responsibility to protect, but as his boss. You need to gain his respect so that you will have control over any situation that arises. Teaching him to control his emotions is best achieved by training him to obey you even around distractions. Group Obedience Classes can be very useful in achieving this, or alternatively training in a busy, local park.

When your baby does arrive home, try to avoid any situations where he may misbehave. This is called "blocking" and is designed to stop him from ever having success at bad behaviours. Try to make his interactions with baby positive; involve your baby in things your dog likes, whether it is taking him on a walk, or having baby in the pram nearby while he plays fetch etc. Make sure you are always present and managing the interaction with you baby. For additional information I would suggest you obtain a book on dog's body language so you are well equipped to notice any potential issues before they arise.

As he is a little older and has had separation issues in the past, you may need some professional home training. Keep this in mind, and good luck for the future.

We have 5 huskies that are all outdoor dogs and we are planning on having a baby. How do we go about preparing the dogs for the new arrival and what boundaries should we have in place?

I can see you are a definite dog lover! And also a responsible dog owner as you wish to prepare for this big change well in advance, so you're off to a great start.

First of all, you need to plan ahead for your family. Ask yourself questions such as "Do I eventually want my child to be able to play in the back yard?" and "How much interaction with my dogs do I want for baby?". This may mean you erect a pen for the dogs in a different area to where you want to interact with your baby. If you do this, ensure it is well in advance of the new arrival, so they don't associate the new restriction with the baby. You may also want to plan for how you control interaction between the dogs and baby. Five huskies will certainly be very overwhelming for a young child, so you need to prepare for positive interactions for both baby and dogs. This may involve interactions with one or two of the dogs at a time, or choosing a later time in the day for interaction when the dogs are a little calmer. You will need to find a good balance between an inclusive family relationship, and having safe, preventative boundaries in place. Always supervise any interaction.

It is important that your dogs are aware of their place in the family, and that they must respect you as well as love you. Ensure they are all well-trained and able to control their emotions and excitement when directed by you. This will lay the foundation for safe, controlled and positive experiences for both your dogs and your family.

Good luck for the future of your family.

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