You have had some great advice and congratulations on your new family member to be!
The only thing I would warn against is making the dog feel that it has equal rights to your attention with the baby - do not allow the dog to think that it is more important than the baby. When baby arrives you will realise that this is out of the question anyway - I agree with the idea of getting the dog used to the new rules as soon as possible. You need to make it clear that the dog has no right to demand attention - you give the dog attention when you want to, not when it is demanded. The baby gets attention when it cries, not the dog. Teach the dog to go to it's bed on command - give it attention, loads of fuss, when it does this right. Then take longer and longer to give that fuss - but make it good fuss! - until the dog can spend a very long time asleep on it's bed without needing attention from you. Avoid eye contact when the dog is on it's bed and do not talk to it (if you do not already talk to yourself on a regular basis start now! It will prepare the dog for you talking to the baby!!) Only introduce giving attention to a doll or a teddy when you are sure the dog understands that it will be rewarded ONLY for staying on its bed.
Bookmarks