Question:
This is in response to your letter regarding the family who is expecting a baby in the future and wanted to know what to do about their dogs.Your advice was perfect, but you forgot one very important piece of it -- the husband should bring home something that smells like the baby, like a T-shirt or even a used diaper, and allow the dogs to smell these items.Also, as animals are very territorial, take them out of the house/territory (a little trip in the car does the trick) and have them come back into the house with the new baby there.
L.F., Ijamsville, Md Oct 17, 2004
Answer:
Thanks for the additional tips for once the baby is born and still at the hospital. For home-births, smelling the baby's clothes and soiled diaper is in order, too. The hormonal changes that pregnant and lactating mothers undergo affect their body-odor pheromones, and companion animals are sensitive to this smell change. Thus, it may naturally clue the dogs in and sensitize them to be accepting of the new baby.STUDENTS INTERESTED IN ANIMAL PROTECTIONI often receive letters from students interested in helping animals. Contact the Student Animal Rights Alliance at www.defendanimals.org for more information, and consider volunteering at your local animal shelter.
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