LIFamilies.com - Long Island, NY


RSS
Articles Business Directory Blog Real Estate Community Forum Shop My Family Contests

Log In Chat Index Search Rules Lingo Create Account

Quick navigation:   

Dogs and babies

Posted By Message

brownie
Baby #1 is here!

Member since 11/08

13903 total posts

Name:

Dogs and babies

I'm not due till this summer, but I have two big dogs and am wondering what's the best way to introduce them to our newborn

They're pretty laid back, but get excited when anyone new comes over of course

Posted 2/19/09 9:20 PM
 
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource

bethb
LIF Toddler

Member since 10/08

402 total posts

Name:
Beth

Re: Dogs and babies

I was really concerned about this too... I am no expert, but I did a couple of things to try and prepare my pooch -

I found sounds of a crying baby (on itunes, can you belive it?!) and played that.... I thought the sound might really bother him and wanted to introduce him to it.

My husband brought home one of the babies blanket from the hospital, and let him sniff it and sleep with it before we got home.

When we finally did make it home, we entered the house, and paid a ton of inital attention to the dog, which was standard for us. Then, when things calmed down again we let him sniff the baby while he was in his carseat. After that, we just tried really hard to give the dog lots of attention, and gave him a treat when he would come and investigate while I was holding the baby -so it would associate the baby with good things.

I don't know if this had anything to do with it, but 9 months later -the two have a great relationship!

Hope that will help.

Also found this on the humane society page: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/introducing_your_pet_and_new_baby.html

Posted 2/19/09 9:40 PM
 

brownie
Baby #1 is here!

Member since 11/08

13903 total posts

Name:

Re: Dogs and babies

thank you!

Posted 2/19/09 9:44 PM
 

Faithx2
All good things in 2016!!

Member since 8/05

20181 total posts

Name:

Re: Dogs and babies

Posted by bethb


My husband brought home one of the babies blanket from the hospital, and let him sniff it and sleep with it before we got home.

When we finally did make it home, we entered the house, and paid a ton of inital attention to the dog, which was standard for us. Then, when things calmed down again we let him sniff the baby while he was in his carseat. After that, we just tried really hard to give the dog lots of attention, and gave him a treat when he would come and investigate while I was holding the baby -so it would associate the baby with good things.




We did the same, as well as apply baby lotion to our hands for a month before I was due to get the dog used to the scent.

Posted 2/19/09 9:47 PM
 

karacg
Babygirl is 4!

Member since 5/05

17076 total posts

Name:
Kara®

Re: Dogs and babies

What she said -- and I got a CD, Preparing Fido -- it got Scout used to baby sounds before the baby got here.

Posted 2/19/09 10:21 PM
 

DeniseMarie
<3

Member since 8/07

10682 total posts

Name:

Re: Dogs and babies

We got him used to baby stuff before she was here. I know this sounds silly but I walked around the house with the stroller, hung out in her room. Showed him her toys. He was allowed to sniff them but if he licked them I said no and took them away. Came in and out of the house with the baby seat and taught him the boundaries. He was not allowed to jump up at the seat.

Thats all we really did to prepare. Then we just walked in with her , let him sniff , but no jumping or licking

Posted 2/19/09 10:39 PM
 

MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: Dogs and babies

Posted by bethb
My husband brought home one of the babies blanket from the hospital, and let him sniff it and sleep with it before we got home.

When we finally did make it home, we entered the house, and paid a ton of inital attention to the dog, which was standard for us. Then, when things calmed down again we let him sniff the baby while he was in his carseat. After that, we just tried really hard to give the dog lots of attention, and gave him a treat when he would come and investigate while I was holding the baby -so it would associate the baby with good things.

I don't know if this had anything to do with it, but 9 months later -the two have a great relationship!


We did the same pretty much. I was in the hospital for 5 days, so every night when he came home he'd bring a blanket or hat or burp cloth - something with DSs scent on it. We gave the dogs a ton of attention, and brought home new toys for them the day the baby came home as well. We kept treats handy where I was feeding DS, b/c that seemed to interest the dogs. I would put them into a sit/stay, then treat them & pet them.

Chat Icon

Posted 2/20/09 7:17 AM
 

Goobster
:)

Member since 5/07

27557 total posts

Name:
:)

Re: Dogs and babies

I have two crazy dogs and I was worried b/c they get rough when excited.

All we really did was put out all the baby stuff gradually, beforehand so they could get used to the objects, noises, music, etc. That helped greatly to gradually transition them.

Then we brought home a blanket from the hospital. Other than that, we just brought baby home and just allowed them to sniff the car seat, but not go too close to baby. At first my male dog would go nuts when baby would cry, wiggle, make any noise, etc. Now he doesn't even notice her. Chat Icon I still don't trust them, for ex, I won't leave baby on the floor with them or have them too close if baby is on the floor (3mths old now she is). But I imagine in time, when they are even more used to her, and she is larger, I won't have to worry about them being in the room with her on the floor (with my supervision of course). I would never trust them fully though till baby is way larger than them and could clearly defend herself should they get too rough. I am talking years from now.

But I have to say, I was VERY worried but it has worked out great. Only sad thing is my poor boy dog wants to play with all her toys and I don't let him of course. And then he runs to me with his own toys.Chat Icon

Posted 2/20/09 7:20 AM
 

mrsv
.

Member since 7/06

2969 total posts

Name:
lol

Re: Dogs and babies

My dog is about 100 lbs and gets super excited and jumps on everyone when they come over so I was really nervous with the baby. Well, I just put the carrier down on the floor when I brought DD home so the dog can see her and sniff her right away and the dog just instantly knew to be calm around her. She's never jumped while I'm holding DD and is very sweet around her. I think dogs just realize that it's a baby and need to relax around them.

Posted 2/20/09 7:56 AM
 

pickles16
Real Estate Professional

Member since 11/07

17227 total posts

Name:
Jen

Re: Dogs and babies

Posted by mrsv

My dog is about 100 lbs and gets super excited and jumps on everyone when they come over so I was really nervous with the baby. Well, I just put the carrier down on the floor when I brought DD home so the dog can see her and sniff her right away and the dog just instantly knew to be calm around her. She's never jumped while I'm holding DD and is very sweet around her. I think dogs just realize that it's a baby and need to relax around them.


same exact thing with us, it was the weirdest thing bc we were beyond nervous bc our dog gets insanely excited and is a big dog, and all of the sudden she just instictively knew not to be crazy around the baby its the weirdest and best thing!!!

Posted 2/20/09 8:01 AM
 

aliwnec10
mom of 3 boys

Member since 4/06

11426 total posts

Name:
Ali

Re: Dogs and babies

We did nothing and they're best friends. Chat Icon

ETA: we did bring home a blanket from the hospital for our dog to sleep with and my husband forgot to give it to him. Chat Icon

When we brought Jacen home, we made sure to pay just as much attention to Jedi as we normally did. My aunt came to stay with us for a month a half, so that helped too since we had an extra hand. Chat Icon

Message edited 2/20/2009 9:10:53 AM.

Posted 2/20/09 8:11 AM
 

Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard

Member since 5/07

6710 total posts

Name:
Diana

Re: Dogs and babies

If I told you that this is all I think about I dont think anyone would believe me.. I have a very calm mellow dog.. She rarely barks, gets excited for 2 seconds when someone comes over then gives them there space.. Loves kids, babies, more than adults.. I am more worried that she is going to be sad and depressed that I cant hold her 24/7 play with her every second.. If I goi in a room she iss right there.. If I sit on the couch she is right there in my arms.. My life revolves around her like she is my child.. She is just sweet calm respectful but has to be with me on top of me all the time.. This is my delema.. I was told to start carrying a doll around and not her as much.. I think I have to try this.. Good luck to you.. Also I/ was told to bring the dog out to the baby when you first bring the baby home and then all go in the house together..

Posted 2/20/09 9:03 AM
 

mikeswife06
Drama Momma

Member since 9/06

9947 total posts

Name:
Anne

Re: Dogs and babies

I was SUPER concerned as my big dog has bitten a child in the past. Please no flames. I was not around. He's my DHs dog bla bla bla. We hired a trainer to get him to understand we are above him and then we kept him ona leash around her for the first 3-4 weeks. We never let him even sniff her at first so he KNEW she was ABOVE him and the princess. he was fine after that.

ETA: I wanted to do this but we didn't end up doing it.

Have the dog out for a walk with DH or someone else and have him come into the house with the baby there.
#1- He'll have less energy as he was just on a walk and #2- He'll be entering the "baby's" house.

Message edited 2/20/2009 9:07:43 AM.

Posted 2/20/09 9:06 AM
 

Porrruss
Nya nya nya

Member since 5/05

11618 total posts

Name:
Amy

Re: Dogs and babies

Another VERY important thing is to include your dog in family time. Many times people with new babies won't pay attention to the dog while they're taking care of the baby/while the baby is awake (which is natural because the new baby needs all the atention). This teaches the dog that the baby means no fun and they look forward to the baby being away.

We make sure that every night after dinner we ALL hang out together in the living room and play with the dog. This way Luna learns that the babies =fun. When the babies are around, she's going to get lots of attention and praise.

Posted 2/20/09 9:06 AM
 
 

Potentially Related Topics:

Topic Posted By Started Replies Forum
Hi everyone! Quick question about new babies and dogs... MST9106 6/12/06 0 Parenting
dogs and babies mommy-of-2-angels 6/19/08 8 Pregnancy
Share your best tips about living with dogs and kids/babies Kerie-is-so-very 11/13/07 8 Pets
Which book would you recommend for a guide to living with kids/babies and dogs? Kerie-is-so-very 10/24/07 0 Pets
Dogs and babies pinkandblue 2/6/07 6 Pets
Dogs and Babies DML 2/8/06 8 Parenting
 
Quick navigation:   
Currently 330960 users on the LIFamilies.com Chat
New Businesses
1 More Rep
Carleton Hall of East Islip
J&A Building Services
LaraMae Health Coaching
Sonic Wellness
Julbaby Photography LLC
Ideal Uniforms
Teresa Geraghty Photography
Camelot Dream Homes
Long Island Wedding Boutique
MB Febus- Rodan & Fields
Camp Harbor
Market America-Shop.com
ACM Basement Waterproofing
Travel Tom

      Follow LIWeddings on Facebook

      Follow LIFamilies on Twitter
Long Island Bridal Shows