5 Minutes with the Bondi Vet

 

I was surprised and chuffed when a routine trip to our local Romeo’s supermarket turned into 5 minutes with Australia’s celebrity Bondi Vet. I waited patiently to meet Dr Chris Brown among a growing crowd of onlookers and fans, thinking about what I would actually say to him?

Then I remembered the burning question friends and family had been asking me for weeks:

Just how was our puppy Billy going to cope with having a brand new baby in the house?

I finally got to the front of the line and wow, the Bondi Vet was a lot taller than I had expected and towered over my 5.2 frame!

I shook his hand with enthusiasm and asked for advice about how to handle a bossy, jealous, male maltese-shitzu about to have his world turned upside down by a new babe in the home. Read below for his fabulous advice!

 

Children and Pets: Tips for Bringing Home a Baby

 

1. Be the Boss

You can only have one boss in the house and dogs and cats need to know from the start it is not them!

One of the most helpful things you can learn if you are a dog owner is that dogs need (1) exercise, (2) discipline and (3) affection – in that order.

We have noticed personally that problems arise as soon as we dish out too much affection to our little pooch. The alpha male in Billy interprets that as us wanting to please him – which reinforces his sense of being the boss.

Make sure you eat your meals before your dog or cat, walk through the doorway first, and basically only give them praise and attention when they have ‘earned’ it and not before. Animals can earn praise by performing basic tricks (sit, stay, roll over) or coming to you when you call them by name.

 

2. Baby Number One, Pet Number Two

Not only does your pet need to who the boss is, they will also now need to learn that they are unfortunately not your number one anymore. Their needs will simply have to come after the baby’s needs and rightly so. Be aware that this may cause some anxiety until they become used to the new addition to the family.

You can start preparing your dog or cat before the baby comes by making them wait a little longer for your attention. Don’t be quite so quick to respond to their every need.

 

3. Have an ‘Out of Bounds’ Area

It’s essential to make the baby’s room a safe ‘pet-free’ space that the dog or cat cannot enter. This routine should start well before baby comes.

Choose either your room if the baby will be in there with you for the first 3,6 months or longer, or a nursery. You could make both areas out of bounds to make it easier for your pet to adjust when the time comes to move baby from your room to the nursery.

 

4. Start Baby Training Before Baby Arrives

Play audio from the internet of a baby crying so they have an opportunity to get used to the sound. Believe it or not this can be good training for mums and dads too!

The first few times your pet hears the recorded crying noise they are likely to be highly anxious and may need comforting. Say out loud to your pet ‘that’s just the baby’ and ‘it’s ok’ to reassure them.

Anxious animals can display strange behaviours, so it’s good to get rid of this anxiety early on. Eventually your pet will become used to the noise if you play it a couple of times a day and when the real baby comes along your pet will be much calmer in the face of ongoing cries.

You can also carry a doll in your arms around the house as you do your daily activities to get your pet used to you having your hands full. Make your pet sit before you give them attention and do not allow them to jump on or near the baby doll.

 

5. Still Part of the Family

Encourage some dedicated family time as usual. If you have inside pets, allow them to sit with you and baby and cuddle when it’s appropriate to do so. Let them feel they are still loved!

 

Finally, a huge thanks to the Bondi Vet for his kind nature and willingness to share these tips! So helpful! What would you ask the Bondi Vet if you had just 5 minutes of his time? 😉 Write your comments below!!!