Growing up with pets.

• Author: Buzhardt, Lynn
• Position: Domestic Living

FOUR-PAWED FRIENDS are part of the family portrait. As loyal companions and play partners, pets and children can share special bonds, but parents must do the proper groundwork to ensure a healthy relationship between their children and pets. For instance, how do you introduce your dog to a new baby in the house? When a baby becomes mobile, what special precautions should be taken to ensure the child's and dog's safety? How do you teach youngsters to be responsible pet caregivers? How can your family be protected against common parasites that can be transmitted from animals to humans?

"Pets have always been very special to children and are important for childhood development, but parents need to play an active role in ensuring a healthy environment and proper interaction between children and pets," stresses Eugenia Marcus, a private practice physician and specialist in pediatric health care at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Mass. "There are facts to consider and steps to be taken before either the baby arrives or the family decides to purchase a dog."

For instance, expectant parents who already have a dog in the house need to prepare their pet for a baby's arrival long before the infant actually enters the home. Dogs can sense change in an expectant mother's body and alterations that are being made to the home, such as getting the nursery ready and having extra guests in the house. Pets are adaptable, but they have to be weaned. You cannot have a relationship with your pet and then say, "The relationship has changed; too bad for you." Dogs can get jealous and show it through destructive behavior. Especially devoted pets actually can develop physiological problems from lack of love.

There are several things you can do, however, to prepare your pet and ensure a happy homecoming with your new baby. If a dog sleeps in the same bed with you, a decision must be made if this will change when the infant comes home and prepare the dog by encouraging it to sleep on the floor a few months before the baby's arrival.

Take your pet to the veterinarian for a routine health exam and vaccinations. Consider spaying or neutering your pet. Sterilized pets typically have fewer health problems and are calmer and less likely to bite. Train your pet to remain calm on the floor beside you until you invite it onto your lap, which will soon cradle a newborn. The most critical thing to remember is, if your pet has a history of guarding its food, hunting for small...