Readying Riley: A Much Needed Guide to Preparing Your Fur Baby for Your Human One

By Alison Young

For a while now you've been happy as a dog parent. You and your canine friend have formed a bond that nothing could ever change. Until one day, you get the joyous news. You're pregnant! Congratulations. Now...how to introduce your oldest and furriest friend to the new addition to the family?

This can be a tricky time for you and your family, but it will be even more complicated for your beloved pet. Mixing the dog and the baby and everything else in your life will take work. Preparing for the big day with your pooch starts from the moment you find out you're going to give birth. In this book you will find tips and tricks and encouragement to help you blend your family: the furry baby, and the newest addition to your home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alison Young
• Release date: Sep 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536568660

Alison Young

Alison Young is a highly skilled veterinarian who has spent the large part of her life professionally caring for, and training, dogs.  She started as a child on the icy coasts of Maine, helping locally with what dogs her neighbors and family couldn't handle, until she was old enough to be properly registered.  Because of her dedication to her work and animals, Alison graduated at the top 5% of her class with honors. She now lives in bright and sunny California with her busy family of 3 daughters (ages from 6 to 13, a couple of which are looking to follow their mother’s footsteps), two adopted dogs (rescues) and her lone cat who to this day also seems to think it’s a dog.  When she's not working full-time as a veterinarian, or bustling around with her busy household, she works hard to ensure everyone who has a dog can care for it and ensure that it and the owner are happy.   She has written several professional papers on this topic and is always eager to expand to people who are outside of the field as well. Alison is a strong believer that pets are part of the family and that there’s no such thing as an animal that’s a lost cause.

Book preview

READYING RILEY

A Much Needed Guide to Preparing Your Fur Baby for Your Human One

Your relationship with your dog has always been based on loyalty, love and unadulterated trust. Canines aren’t known as man’s best friend for nothing. From the moment you rescued his furry little butt from the nips and paws of his overbearing siblings or brought her quivering, malnourished hide home from the animal rescue shelter, your bond has been stronger than a rawhide bone.  She has sat by the door for hours, anticipating your return. She has licked your tears off your face during every one of the eight times you watched The Notebook. He waited for you by the front door that entire night you broke your ankle and were at the hospital for ten hours getting a cast. There is nothing your fuzzy monster wouldn’t do for you, and the feeling is more than mutual. No one could possibly adore you more than that mountain of fluff and drool and you are about to shatter that confidence in one fell swoop.

In the coming months, the security you have so carefully manufactured for her is going to be chipped away and Daisy can already sense something amiss. She is following you around more than usual, often whining and begging for your attention. She sleeps close to you at night. Unbeknownst to you, your scent has changed due to hormones. She knew you were pregnant before you did but she has no concept of what is to come. As you already know, she is completely in tune with your moods and emotions. She can feel the changes in you and her behavior will mirror yours. Her neediness will increase as the time closes in to turn her world upside down. If you look online or visit a library, there really is very little out there in the way of actually preparing your pet for to accept a baby into the home. Never you fear! There are simple ways to alleviate the stress of the transition for everyone.

This is a step by step guide from start to finish on how to keep your family running smoothly and create harmony between your new baby and your dog. There are several methods from varying psychologies on the subject so you can see what works for you and your family dynamic. This handy reference guide will be of constant use as you move forward. It will help improve your relationship with your dog and your children. There’s enough love to go around. Let’s find out how.

BEFORE JUNIOR ARRIVES

I wish I had known some of these tricks before I brought my daughter home from the hospital. I was completely unprepared for the pandemonium which ensued. I will never forget the look of pure betrayal and anguish my pets gave me when I walked into the house with my small screaming bundle of human. My cat’s tail fluffed out to the size of her body. The dog ran for cover and stayed hidden for almost three months. It took a long time to re-establish trust with both of them. It