Dogs and Babies

[Sunflower]

Hi All,

Are there any mums out there that bought a baby home where they have a dog?

I have a brown lab and he really is our baby !! so now we are having one I wannt to think about ways of getting him ready so he accepts the baby well

Any advise?

Thanks

 

[badgergirl]

I have two dogs.

I was advised that I should start carrying around a doll, so that the dogs could get used to me giving something else attention. I didn't do it, as I didn't have a doll, and I had too much else to think about!

What we did, however, was implemented when the baby came home. We brought him in, and left him in his car seat, but on the floor. My other half went and got the dogs, told them "steady" before they entered the room (we made sure they learnt this command in my pregnancy!) and they were allowed to sniff him, with us reminding them of "steady".

They've never been told off for going near the baby, but we make sure they realise he is "above" them in our family hierachy - I sit down on the settee with him before they're allowed to sit next to me. He eats before they do. They're not allowed to push in for cuddles when I'm holding him, but I'll call them to me, or us, for cuddles and strokes as a reward for waiting. If they go for one of his toys, I distract them with one of their own, and praise them when they play with that.

I swear that one of my dogs realised I was pregnant - she became more gentle with me, and started 'guarding' my bump if she heard people coming down the path.

 

[MrsBrightside]

we have a very hyper boxer and im worried cause hes too loving

I will def trying what you have just said there hun, and im sure bob knew b4 we did cause he never leaves my side now! bless them

 

[chelsea]

you can buy cds for the sounds of a baby to play to your dogs to desensitise them to the sounds a baby makes. im not really sure what else to advise but im sure there will be some useful websites out there. i will have a scout for you

 

[*CLAIREBEAR*]

me too!
i have a dog that is a mummys boy!
we have had him for 6 years (since he was a pup) and i worry abit aswell.
he is really good with other peoples children and i don't feel he would hurt baby but i think he may feel left out!

 

[Sunflower]

you can buy cds for the sounds of a baby to play to your dogs to desensitise them to the sounds a baby makes. im not really sure what else to advise but im sure there will be some useful websites out there. i will have a scout for you

OOO will google it let me know if you find one!!

 

[xkikix]

I just looked up crying baby on you tube and played that!!

My lab was fine with our baby xxx

Our other dog, didnt like the change so we had to get him rehomed, he growled at me and the baby and once was enough, bless him he was an old boy xxxx

 

[kellybears]

Hello, I have a Shih tzu that is more like baby to us. We're worrying that he'll be jealous too. We're going to try and include him as much as possible with the new baby. The other issue we have is that the dog sleeps in the bed with us, does anyone else have their dog in bed with them? Any problems when the baby arrives?

 

[X5OT]

We have a dog, a Cesky Terrier. We've had him since he was 11 weeks old and he was 4 in April. He is very well trained, not allowed upstairs, not allowed up on sofas unless invited etc. We made sure we introduced him to lots of babies and toddlers before Jenna arrived and he was fine with all of them (one toddler even hit him on the head with a toy tractor and he was fine about it). We've always handled him, checked his teeth etc etc since day one so now when Jenna grabs his legs / tail he just rolls over onto his back! We did nothing special to introduce them - he is always allowed sniff but never lick. When Jenna was little I used to bring her into the house in her car seat and he would always go over and make sure she was there now he just goes and sniffs her head when we come in which makes her laugh! Ralphie gets fed after Jenna, is only allowed up on the sofa after Jenna and generally knows that Jenna comes before him in the pack. He doesn't play with Jenna's toys - that was the one thing we thought we may have difficulty with. Likewise, Jenna is not allowed to play with Ralphie's toys / climb into his bed etc. Although, the odd occassion she HAS done this, Ralphie doesn't mind at all - he hasn't got an agressive cell in his body!
Cant comment on the dog sleeping arrangements though as Ralphie has always slept in the kitchen. I would guess you need to sort this out well before the baby arrives, otherwise its not fair on the dog and very difficult for them to understand if they suddently get thrown out of bed when this new little loud person enters the house!