First impressions are very important when you have your baby and puppy meet. Whatever goes on in this initial meet will set the tone for the upcoming years and months for everyone involved.

Here are some tips to make your first meeting successful.

* When the baby comes home, another person should hold the baby while you greet your dog. Your dog has missed you and it is important to pay attention to him or her when you first get home.

* It’s a good idea to bring your dog home a new toy that you can introduce him to and take some time to play with him. This will help the two of you to bond and hopefully tire him out a little.

* If you are unsure of you dog’s behavior, leash or restrain him or her during the introduction. Talk to your dog, pet and encourage him or her to get a good look and sniff the baby’s hands and feet. Do not force a reluctant dog by pushing the infant in front of the pet. Allow the pet to explore the new smells at their own pace.

* Never leave your baby unsupervised with your pet. An infant is incapable of pushing the animal away and your dog may inadvertently smother the child. The actions of a baby may scare your dog and cause it to bite in self-defense. If your dog reacts aggressively, put him or her in another room until it is calm and try the introduction again.

* After the initial meeting, sit on the couch with your baby and your dog at your side. Speak to both calmly and show your love to both. Reward your pup for his good behavior so he will associate the baby with a positive experience. Remember the importance on never forcing the baby and dog together and never leave them unattended.

* Your life has now changed for ever and you will have many things to learn and adjust to, but always remember that your pup needs your love too. Try to keep to as regular schedule as possible and you’ll find that in no time at all, baby and dog will be the best of friends and bring much joy to your life.

Alex is a freelance graphic artist with a love of writing and pets. She has a long and personal history with pets and has noted what works and what doesn’t when teaching our pets. If you liked this article, check out a few of her others, like Tips On Socializing Your Puppy or Preparing Your Dog For The Baby’s Arrival.

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