Getting dogs ready for baby

[ewashkow]

Hi everyone. I am currently seven months pregnant and I was just wondering if anyone out there had tips on how to properly introduce my two dogs-a Boston Terrier and a GSP/Lab mix-to the changes a baby is going to bring into the household.

I already have them used to fingers in the mouth, tails and ears being pulled, leaving toys and treats alone when a human acts like they want them, and of course they are good with basic obedience. I know that babies look, act, and smell nothing like adults so I just want to try and make the switch easier for the dogs.

Any advice that you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[jp2854]

Do you have any friends with little kids that could come over from time to time so the dog gets used to little ones being around? A friend of mine came in where I work 3 weeks ago and she brought her newborn (boy was bruno jealous) she wouldn't even come anywhere near me (shes used to getting all the attention and not having to share it with anyone else). I will see what she does the next time my friend shows up and I am holding the baby.

 

[frequentflier]

Hi everyone. I am currently seven months pregnant and I was just wondering if anyone out there had tips on how to properly introduce my two dogs-a Boston Terrier and a GSP/Lab mix-to the changes a baby is going to bring into the household.

I already have them used to fingers in the mouth, tails and ears being pulled, leaving toys and treats alone when a human acts like they want them, and of course they are good with basic obedience. I know that babies look, act, and smell nothing like adults so I just want to try and make the switch easier for the dogs.

Any advice that you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Congrats ewashkow! You didn't look pregnant the last time I saw you!

 

[Hoover]

We were told by the nurse at GW to take a blanket home the baby was wrapped in and let the dog smell it - lick it or what ever for as long as it wants - then when the baby comes home they wont be so anxious to smell and be all over you and the baby. Then introduce the baby slowly to the dogs and let the dog lick and smell them. We did this with our granddaughter also because I was aprehensive about my Chi's being all over her when she came over - now they are the first things she wants when she comes in the door - she calls this CoCo's house not MiMi's house. Congrats on the new one.

 

[RobbinDodd]

We have Terriers and when my 3 year old was born they took to her as if she(my daughter) belonged to them. We did not prep the dogs for the baby. Somehow they just knew.

 

[Roxie04]

I had hubby take a blanket home from the hospital for Zeus to smell. When we brought the baby homw he was a little standoffish but quickly warmed up to her. He slept next to her crib from the day we put her in there. But we never let him lick her, considering his head was bigger than her whole body she might have drowned.

 

[flomaster]

Some dogs just seem to have a sixth sense about babies. When we brought the little one home 5 years ago my dog took to her quickly and became her guardian. He became my daughters playground with ear pulling, stepping on, and anything else she could do to him without a complaint. Of course not all dogs are the same and the idea of the blanket sounds pretty good.

By the way, mine passed last year while I was in Afghanistan. Broke my heart. Little one talks about him all the time and re-tells everything she can remember about him.

Good luck with your new baby!

 

[Lilypad]

Hi everyone. I am currently seven months pregnant and I was just wondering if anyone out there had tips on how to properly introduce my two dogs-a Boston Terrier and a GSP/Lab mix-to the changes a baby is going to bring into the household.

I already have them used to fingers in the mouth, tails and ears being pulled, leaving toys and treats alone when a human acts like they want them, and of course they are good with basic obedience. I know that babies look, act, and smell nothing like adults so I just want to try and make the switch easier for the dogs.

Any advice that you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

1st-congrats on your pregnacy!
2nd-Your pets know you and your ? are the "boss" and have they have been taught manners and commands?
3rd-Do you want the dogs to have 24/7 access to the babies room? if not you might want to address that issue.
4th-You might want to record baby sounds and play them-a "screaming" baby's wail can be very distressing/confusing for a pet.

Hold the baby, reward the dog. Feed the baby, feed the dog. Change the baby, reward the dog.
Please, never ever punish a dog for growling, all it does is teach the dog not to warn before biting. Remember, growling is NOT bad. It's the only way your dog has of warning your child that she's too close or telling you that he's had enough and needs time away.
Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[ewashkow]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[ewashkow]

Congrats ewashkow! You didn't look pregnant the last time I saw you!

Yeah. The joy of baggy. Haha.

 

[outdoorgirl]

The dog whisperer says to not let the dogs within 5 feet of baby for 2-3 weeks. We did this with both of ours. It supposedly helps them to learn that the baby is dominant and off-limits. It worked with both of our kids/dogs. Good luck!

 

[Julie_J]

I used to conduct a Baby Ready Pets program. Make sure to familiarize your dog with the scents & sounds of babies. A lot of good advise has been mentioned. However, it is best to not treat the dog like a pariah around the new little one. This at best will drive your dog's curiosity, at worst your dog may think the baby is making corrections happen. Of course, never leave your dog alone with the baby, not even for a moment.

The dog whisperer says to not let the dogs within 5 feet of baby for 2-3 weeks. We did this with both of ours. It supposedly helps them to learn that the baby is dominant and off-limits. It worked with both of our kids/dogs. Good luck!

 

[dreamerdog]

I used to conduct a Baby Ready Pets program. Make sure to familiarize your dog with the scents & sounds of babies. A lot of good advise has been mentioned. However, it is best to not treat the dog like a pariah around the new little one. This at best will drive your dog's curiosity, at worst your dog may think the baby is making corrections happen. Of course, never leave your dog alone with the baby, not even for a moment.

HAHAHA! I was about to say, "I know this trainer Julie, you should really give her a call" and then there you were....stop by the old job and see me sometime!