Dog expert says expecting parents should carry a fake baby around the house

A coroner urged young parents to be vigilant of their pets around babies

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Dog owners who are expecting a baby should start carrying a fake baby around the house to help their dogs get used to the new arrival.

That's the advice of a leading dog trainer, after a coroner urged young parents to be vigilant of their pets around babies.

The remarks were made at the inquest of a three-month-old girl, who was killed in an attack by a family dog in 2021.

The baby was killed in Waterford when the dog snuck upstairs and attacked her.

The government says it's considering new legislation around dog ownership.

Owner of Clever Companions, Lesley Townsend, says parents should be preparing their dogs before the baby arrives:

"The other thing they can do is they can really start teaching their dogs some basic behaviours.

"For example, a sit when they're carrying the baby around, they can teach their dog to go into bed so the dog has a place to settle when they are sharing space with the baby, rather than being on the couch they can be in their bed or at your feet."