We adopted a dog through the Western PA Humane Society. After viewing the available pets online and visiting a few times for individual interviews we made our selection. Our chosen dog scored well on all of the various tests that were administered.
If you are considering having a pet, we decided to adopt a dog while we were pregnant. The staff at the shelter were very cognizant of our baby's planned arrival & were helpful in truthfully recommending and leading us to a safe & friendly canine.
In order to prepare our dog for our child's arrival to our home, we attempted to familiarize it with the scents of our baby's lotion and toys. For example one of our family members introduced our dog to a baby's hat that was worn in the hospital before we were discharged to return home. From the beginning we allowed our dog to be curious and always supervised the two of them together. After all, our dog is an animal so our child's squeal or movements could startle! We gave our dog toys that would not closely resemble our child's toys or stuffed animals. Obedience classes helped us to learn how to better handle our dog, too.
What have been your experiences with pets... did you add a pet to your family during pregnancy or shortly after?
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