Preparing my cat for baby arrival.

This is a successful story.

When I got pregnant almost two years ago I decided that I needed to prepare my cat for the big event! She is a very easy going cat and adapts well to different environments so I wasn't really worried about the cat misbehaving with the baby. Bit I still wanted to have a plan in case things went wrong.

My first goal was to have a means of communication with Chipana (my cat), I wanted to be able to tell her when she was doing something good in a very distinct way. What better than the clicker for that! I charged the clicker and taught her a few tricks (High five, jump through a hoop, heel and sit) and in the mean time I also taught her good manners! When she wants to go outside she has a special mat where she can scratch and I will let her out (if the time is convenient). First goal accomplished! She now knew that the clicker meant good things coming.

My second Goal was to teach her that the crib was not for her to sleep in. Up until then she had had access to every piece of furniture in the apartment. We got the crib and assembled it without putting the mattress in it. Of course the first thing the cat did was to check out the new piece of furniture..and I let her. I didn't want to punish her and create a bad association with the crib either I just wanted her to understand that the crib was not going to be rewarding for her, but the chair in the room was! So, after a few minutes I took her out of the crib ( I didn't want her to get too comfortable either!) and as soon as she went to the chair...click and treat! It took about 5 tries and then she never again visited the crib.

Then we put the mattress on and I repeated the same exercise and again it took only a handful of times for her to understand that the crib was not comfortable (because I kept taking her out, gently) but the chair was not only comfortable but she got treats too!

When the baby came my husband came back home from the hospital first and showed chipana the little hat they put on my baby right after he was born and that was impragnated with his smell. And he gave her treats as she smelled it. When we got home I let Chipana approach the baby and smell him and clicked and treat.

I can't say they are best friends now! because my son now walks...and chases the cat all around the house, but Chipana is very tolerant of my son and I know that with a few more clicks and treats they will be best friends!