How to prepare dog for arrival of LO

[Butterflykisses]

We have a Westie which has been our "baby" for the last 2 1/2 years.

We got her from a friend of my sister when she was 2 years old. They had a baby and apparently our dog was brilliant with her. The only reason they gave her away was because they had no time.

My sister brought my baby nephew round couple of weeks ago and she was brilliant. Went over looked (didn't lick) and then jumped up onto back of seat. My nephew was also sitting on my knee at one stage on the same chair she was sitting on and was no bother.

Our dog does seem to adapt to change pretty well. We used to have leather suite in living room and she was on it all the time. At Christmas we got new fabric suite and only time she's allowed on is when we say. The rest of time shes on the floor or on the wee bed I bought for her to keep in the living room. She learnt this really quickly. Not always happy about it but as DH says how many dogs are kept outside and not in the house at all so it's not like she's hard done by.


We would really like to keep the dog. She's already been rehomed one because of babies and don't have the heart to do it to her again. Just worried about how to introduce her to a new baby. I know I would never leave them in the room together alone. Would never leave any dog alone with a baby/toddler.

Any advice would be greatly welcomed. Thank you.

 

[Kayelle]

You seem to have a lovely dog I wouldn't worry too much, I have a lovely dog, and also going to never leave them together. I was planning to come in with baby in seat rather than arms and give the dogs a fuss, but always let them know that baby comes first.
I'm sure someone here will give you some expert advice but I don't think you need to worry your dog seems sweet

 

[tinks77]

I have two staffie crosses and a cat.

For a couple of weeks before her arrival we kept bringing our Moses basket downstairs and moving it into different places, I also brought in my pram & car seat and left them around the lounge, especially the car seat. It was left on tables, sofas and the floor.

After I had Grace we got the midwife to clean her down with an old towel we'd taken in and my OH took that home with him and let the animals sniff it etc that way when we brought her home they knew the smell already.
When we came home I went in first to say hello and make a fuss then OH came in with the baby a good 5 mins later. I was in for 5 days but would have done this if we'd gotten out the following morning

 

[Hope81]

I have a 6 month old puppy and I am dreading the moment of Los arrival.she goes completely crazy with any stranger and children and as hard as we try she dosent seem to correct that behavior at all my last hope is that she will grow out of it as she will be 14 month old when LO arrives.
We are planning of getting the babies stuff in time to teach the puppy to leave them, she knows that he is not allowed on the sofas or the second floor, or bathroom, we are working on not jumping on people and on not pinking things that are not her toys.
Overall I am completely terrified about how that will go with the baby this spring we will look for some obedient classes too and hopefully that will help too. She already knows sit, down, paw, leave it and to not run out of the house even if the door is open if not invited to come out.

 

[dollface79]

I have a 2 year old shar pei, i'm not worried what so ever but it seems everyone else is! Just because the chinese used them as fighting dogs does not make my dog a killer! He's the softest most dopey dog i have ever known, he actually thinks he is a cat aswell as he has been brought up with 2 and now we have a kitten aswell he's trying to mother him lol

Don't get me wrong, if i saw the slightest hint of viciousness he would be gone but i know he doesn't have it in him. Infact i'm more worried about the cats reactions...

 

[Butterflykisses]

My dog thinks she's a rottweiller around other dogs when she's on the lead and attached to me - protective. However when she's free to wander round she so so sweet and just wants attention. I really think she'll be fine with new arrival. She really is good with children. I know we'll have to teach LO how to behave around a dog as he grows up. I plan that we should still be able to give her plenty of attention and not neglect her.

 

[Emily0505]

Some basic commands that would be useful to teach your dog are a 'leave it' and a 'lie down and stay'.
I work in dog rescue and also do dog training so my dogs both know quite a variety of commands already but they still have a lot to learn in regards to the baby- I will start walking them with the buggy in the next few weeks, play a socialisation tape with the sound of a baby crying and I also have a doll that I will carry around and teach the dogs not to jump up at me to investigate.
I know it is onbviously going to be tricky with a new baby but my main advice would be to try and ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise as it will be more settled and better behaved if it has been out for a walk and then give it long lasting chews such as rawhides or stuffed kongs at times when you need the dog to settle and amuse itself (as long as it won't guard them obviously!)
Dogs are generally quite adaptable though and although they do benefit from a good routine, they can normally cope quite well with change as long as you make it a positive process.
Hope this helps

XX

 

[Lettie]

We have a 2.5yr old lab who was and continues to be our fur baby. We socialised him q bit with babies stuff and he was uninterested. He's lively(like all labs! Lol) and others were worried how he'd be as he's quite bouncy with children when they run/giggle etc, but he's been amazing. So proud of him. He ignored her at 1st and avoided me, sticking with Hubby for a few days but now is fine. Lies as close to her on her mat as he's allowed. We just make sure he gets plenty of praise and attention and I let him sniff her straight away (safely) without pushing him away etc so he knows she's nothing to be jealous of. I'm just glad all the hard work with training him as a pup has paid off and he is deffinately F's brother from another mother! Hehe. Can't wait to see them together as they grow up together Xx

 

[tinks77]

We also practised with the command 'go to bed' we have a lounge diner and put up a gate between the two rooms. We practised the command without shutting them in the dining room and they do go now so we can play with the baby on the floor and they don't feel they are being locked away

 

[Cazza]

Hello lovely !!

My 8 dogs (yup 8!!!) were all pretty well trained (I do training classes/behaviour consults and we do obedience/agility etc) but before R's arrival they all underwent a new training schedule!!

We made sure they understood 'go to your mat' and I walked around them with a teddy in my arms so they got used to seeing something being carried.

I borrowed a moses basket and they all learnt to ignore it. We took them out with a freebie buggy too so they got used to walking alongside it.

Also their schedule of walking feeding training was turned upside down - doigs are creatures of habit and soon learn to anticipate when regular things should happen (ie expecting a walk at 8am, food at 9am etc).

But I have to say all 8 of them have been fab. After an initial rush of excitement for a couple of days they all pretty well ignore R now!!!