We're expecting...... A Puppy!

Well, I have finally succumbed and agreed to get a dog. My husband can't believe his luck. Previously when the subject has been raised I have declared that the only time a furry, four legged friend would be allowed in this house was when hell froze over - well, the devil and co must be donning their mittens, because I am now so excited about this possible addition to our family that I am thinking of names and dividing them into boy/girl and either categories!

I have started my research into different breeds looking particularly at temperament (needs to be friendly and affectionate) size (can't be too large or too small) coat (don't want to be picking up dog hair all day) and exercise demands (Lets be realistic! I have three small children, a job and a shopping habit to look after, I am not going to be able to spend 3 hours a day walking him!) My Internet searches have brought to light all sorts of useful advice such as making sure we meet the parents to assess their personalities - if too aggressive or shy, we are apparently supposed to avoid at all costs. When training them, I have to assert my 'leader of the pack' status - this seems to involve making him walk behind me and never, never letting him eat before I do. It even appears that some breeders don't let you take the puppy until they have partially toilet trained them - convenient!

This got me thinking .......humans don't tend to do nearly as much research when deciding to have a baby. The majority of them go to the doctor and then go to the hospital to have their babies and do exactly what they are told, when they are told. They tend not to seek second opinions, or go and visit different locations for giving birth. How can people know there are alternatives out there when they don't even ask the questions?

This all leads to a much more serious problem of leaving parents unprepared for parenting their babies because they have learnt not to trust their own instincts. Going down the hospital/medical route often (not always) leads to much more intervention which stops the natural birth hormones from working. If the hormones have not been present during the birth it can make the journey of becoming a parent much harder. Especially when you consider that a baby's temperament can not be chosen, they are not born partially potty trained and although many 'experts' have developed various ways of 'training' babies designed to put new parents out of their misery and show the tiny helpless baby who's boss (yes, I am being deeply sarcastic), it really does not make the job any easier.

Being a parent relies on instinct, it is essential for knowing when your baby needs feeding or just needs a bit of comfort. Instinct allows you to take the advice that may be of use to you and your baby and disregard the rest. Instinct encourages you to respond to the needs of your baby as and when they need and not when the 'experts' tell you you should. Natal Hypnotherapy birth preparation courses and the workshops held at The Holistic Parent (totally unashamed at the obvious plug!) encourage and help parents to be and new parents to develop the up most trust in the most important and vital skill they have - their instinct.

Still, the Internet searches on puppy training have been very useful and I am actually quite excited at the thought that I will be able to exert the leader of the pack status, I always knew I had, over somebody in my household (The devil may yet have the last laugh!)

Dani Diosi
Natal Hypnotherapist
NCT Antenatal Educator
Co-founder The Holistic Parent