Once you’ve identified the behaviour that needs changing, before your baby arrives, sincere training should start. Cats and dogs of all ages have the capability to learn new tricks; it is all about rewarding good behaviour and ignoring bad behaviour. If you catch your pet acting inappropriately you can use a negative reaction e.g. making a noise when they jump on the couch. This reaction however has to be consistent. It takes between three and five days for a dog to follow a new set of rules, and a cat can take between a week and ten days. So consistency is key to creating a new routine and a new set of rules to ensure that your pet will be prepared for the arrival of your new born and that they are well trained to deal with the new addition to the family, and essentially their territory!
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