QUESTION

Dear Family Pet Expert,
I am 32 weeks pregnant and until a few weeks ago I had two perfectly behaved dogs. Now they are chewing paper and clothes. sometimes right in front of us. They have not destroyed any baby stuff. Could their strange behavior be related to my pregnancy? I am spending as much time as ever with them so I don't get it.

QUESTION

Dear Family Pet Expert,
My husband and I have a 7-month-year old Lab. We've had her since she was just 7 weeks old and I already knew that I was pregnant (about 2 months). We decided that it'd be easier to get a puppy before the baby came and have her trained, that way she'd be ready for when the baby arrived. She's a good dog, well trained and behaved; she does get excited at times, especially with new people around, but other than that she's a very good dog and we love her dearly.

QUESTION

Dear Pet Expert,
I am 6 months pregnant and before I even knew, my dog (shih-tzu) started acting up. She is always panting and running back and forth and does not relax. She just want to be outside all the time.

Is there anything we can do to make her more comfortable in our home?

Many families believe it best that they re-home their dog when a baby is joining the family. Concerns range from safety issues to lack of time. Good News! There are many proactive steps that can be taken ahead of time to help things go smoothly. Obedience, leadership as well as management are all essential keys to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all.