PITTER PATTER OF TINY TEARS FEET

Stunt doll training helps to improve relationship between children and pets

A ‘stunt’ doll is being used as part of a new training programme to help prepare dogs and cats for the arrival of a new baby or improve their relationship with young children. The process is the brainchild of the UK’s leading pet behaviour specialist and star of BBC’s Dog Borstal, Debbie Connolly, and involves exposing pets to a doll dressed in used nappies and baby clothes, handled against a background of downloaded noises such as an infant crying or loud rattles and mechanical toys. Debbie Connolly who runs www.safepets.co.uk, the highly-acclaimed training organisation dedicated to promoting responsible animal ownership, said: “The introduction of a new baby is a frightening experience for a dog or cat. Strange smells and noises, coupled with the general disruption to their lives, can cause aggression, fear, intrigue and confusion. There’s evidence to suggest that the high pitched noises of a baby can even remind dogs of prey, a factor that is thought to be behind some of the extreme incidents of aggression which have occurred in the past.” She added: “Most importantly, my training techniques can be recreated easily by owners in their own home2. By getting hold of a doll, used baby clothes, dirty nappies and recorded sounds, expectant parents can help prepare their animals for an event that should be filled with happiness and joy, not extra stress or, at worst, tragedy.” The SafePets’ programme has also been extended to cover the relationship between young children and pets. Connolly commented: ” Rather worryingly, some animals only change their behaviour when a child becomes mobile and this can often catch the family unawares. With the help of a larger doll tied to skates, I have introduced a training programme which familiarises the dog with the frenetic movement of a young child, helping discourage anti-social behaviour such as jumping up.” Kyra Cooper, from Camarthenshire, called in SafePets during her pregnancy to test her greyhound Casper’s reaction to the doll and prepare it for the arrival of her new baby. She said: “Casper needed to learn not to touch the baby, nor lick food from its face. Debbie pulled the Stunt Baby round the floor on string and wiped food on its head and clothes - at first Casper was intrigued by the doll and kept trying to eat its dirty nappy, but eventually Debbie trained him to relax around the baby, and get used to all the strange movements it made.” Cooper added: “I couldn’t be happier with the results; Casper is such a brilliant dog with my baby Roxalea. He is gentle and even ignores her learning to walk and falling all over the place.” There is no excuse for not preparing the dog or even the cat, said Connolly. “You have the luxury of knowing for some time that a baby is coming, so it’s important to take action, early.”