Families who had dogs before babies...

How did you introduce your new baby to your dog(s)? Were there any issues you didn't expect and how did you deal with them??

I have two dogs who have never really been around kids and I'm concerned with how bringing a new baby home is going to go... They're not agressive dogs and have never bitten or shown agression towards anyone, they are terriers so they are a little high strung... obviously there is no way to really know what will happen but was hoping someone had a similar experience with their pups and babies.

TIA!!!

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

I have a Jack Russell/beagle who was our baby and got all the attention. She too can be high strung when excited. We sent receiving blankets home from the hospital and lut them in the dogs bed. When We bought DD home we let the dog smell her in her carrier, that was pretty much it. To this day-almost 4 months later the dog will not lick her (she licks everyone), she goes very close to DD to smell her and then backs up. If we're not in the room and the baby cries she comes to find us and whimpers.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

I have a lab. I sent my mom (my dog stayed with my parents when we were in the hospital) home with DD's first onsie and a receiving blanket. The morning we were to be discharged I had my mom bring my dog back to our apartment so she could get settled in at home. When we got home I went in without DD first and greeted her and gave her some love. My husband brought DD in a minute or so later. She sniffed the car seat and that was it. She was more excited to see my husband and myself again.

DD is 15 months now and they are BFF. I'd say for the first few months she really didn't pay much attention to her. She was curious and a bit protective, but sort of just did her normal thing. She does/did lick the baby. Early on I avoided it, but now it's hopeless. My daughters favorite thing to do is share her food with the dog. If I think too much about the germs passing between those two it makes me ill. When DD became mobile I had to really be super alert to make sure that she didn't accidentally pinch or step on the dog. Most of the time I'm more worried that DD will accidentally hurt the dog (and the dog would get scared and snap or something) than vice versa.

Here are a few pictures of them hanging out. I was really so worried about how my dog would do etc. Although, it's been tricky, I really feel like as long as you still make an effort to keep them well exercised and spend time with your dog (we always have a good snuggle after DD goes down to bed) it will work out. Good Luck!

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Message edited 7/23/2012 9:08:22 PM.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

We have a boxer who was 9 months old when DD was born.
The trainer gave us the following advice ;
Let the dog see, smell all the baby items that you may have already. I even walked the dog while pushing an empty stroller so he would know what was going on.
The day I gave birth, DH went bak home with the blanket the baby was wrapped in. The dog smelled it and even slept on it. DH did this again the second day.
Let the dog become aware of the baby's scent. The blanket, a onesie, hat.
When we came came home on day three, we told all family members to wait until we called them to come over.
I walked In the house first, alone. Gave the dog hugs and kisses and lots of love. After about 10 minutes DH came in with DD in the infant carrier and put her on the floor so the dog could see and smell her. He licked her feet and has not left her side since!
We didnt want the dog to think I left for three days and came home with this new baby and he be ignored.
We also told all visitors to give the dog attention first when visiting. Not to run straight for the baby.
All went well. And DD and the dog are best friends.
Good luck! And remember, a dog is a dog. Never let your guard down.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

We have two dogs who are used to being around kids. Our older one is a bit more independent and not enthralled with kids. The younger one could care less if a kid kicked him in the head, he would lick 3 seconds later. We didnt do anything special, just brought DD home. But there is a lot of information and suggestions on introducing pets to baby. Some I remember reading were practicing with a doll and bringing home something baby has worn before they get home. If you do a search there is a lot of info. DD is 8 months and our older dog likes her but could really care less. The younger dog and her are BFF. She is already trying to say his name, before even saying mama!! lol She loves them.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

my dog was never around kids before DS. She had no issues adjusting. Honestly, we just didn't make a big deal about it. I know some people have the dogs sniff the babies, etc but I think dogs get so crazy because they can sense the nervousness the owners have not only about the dog but about being home with a newborn as well. The only thing we did do was I spent more time with my dog since she hadn't seen me in a few days.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

my dog was never around kids before DS. She had no issues adjusting. Honestly, we just didn't make a big deal about it. I know some people have the dogs sniff the babies, etc but I think dogs get so crazy because they can sense the nervousness the owners have not only about the dog but about being home with a newborn as well. The only thing we did do was I spent more time with my dog since she hadn't seen me in a few days.

I did take a class about pets and newborns offered for free at Destination Maternity in Carle Place. They had a lot of easy suggestions such as taking the baby with you to feed the dog, give your dog treats while holding the baby, and giving "busy" treats and activities to keep the dog occupied. Every time i would pump, I gave Maggie a bully stick or her ball filled with cream cheese

Message edited 7/23/2012 9:16:04 PM.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

we have 2 dogs a smart one and a not so smart one. Both adjusted to the twins beautifully. They were in the nicu for a long time and we brought home blankets for weeks. One twin came home before the other and the smart dog would not settle down and kept sniffing all over the house. She only settled down once we brought the other baby home.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

For all three kids, we had DH come home with the babys birth hat and sniff it/sleep with it before we brought the baby home. For DS#1, when we came home from the hospital the dog sniffed the baby carrier, licked my face, licked DH's face and ran around the house happily. It was as if he kissed us "Congrats" and then went about his business. He's been great with all 3 babies.....

Message edited 7/23/2012 10:23:08 PM.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

I had my baby 10 yrs before our twins.


My boys were in NICU for a month, during that time, I brought home blankets/hats so they got use to their scent.

One twin came home first and Jack would not go anywhere near him, it took a few days but he warmed up. Didn't show much intrest, and would hide when he cried. Then the other one came home and I swear he looked at me like "are you KIDDING me right now?!?!" i think he thought everytime I left I would be bringing home a screeching newborn. After a week all was normal. He still hides when they cry. My boys LOVE him, feeling aren't mutual. but he is cordial enough.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

Posted by maybemommy10

My boys LOVE him, feeling aren't mutual. but he is cordial enough.

Message edited 7/24/2012 10:14:56 AM.

Families who had dogs before babies...

We have a Maltese that was almost 10 when we brought DD (now almost 14 months) home and the dog is still not a fan. She wouldn't have anything to do with us or DD for almost a year, and now she will sporadically hang out. She licks DD sometimes and will let DD pet her occasionally, but they are far from friends.

We made sure the dog was home when we brought DD home from the hospital (as opposed to bringing the dog into the house with a baby there) and DH brought DD's hat home from the hospital for the dog to smell. That obviously didn't help, lol.

Families who had dogs before babies...

We had our mini dachshund 5 yrs before DD arrived. We didn't do anything special to intro her to him. The first day or so we left her asleep in her carseat/carrier and let him sniff her and lick her toes, which he liked. We really had no problems ever. He just adored her from day 1 and now 16 mos later, they are each other's shadow. She wakes up calling his name and he runs in trying to lick her through the crib

Message edited 7/24/2012 10:27:51 AM.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

i have an american eskimo who was about 2 when DS was born. My dog is very protective of his home and very skiddish with strangers. he doesnt really let people touch him unless its someone he is really comfortable with.

i was in the hospital for almost a week. DH brought home a blanket for the dog to smell.

when i got home i left DS outside with DH and i came in and played with the dog for about 5 minutes. then we brought the seat in. he growled at the baby which made me nervous but we just kept talling him "its ok, its ok" and i sat on the floor and took DS out, let him sniff around.
i had read that you shouldnt shoo your dog away every time you handle the baby beause he will then associate th ebaby with negative thoughts. every time baby is around, i cant be with my owner. that being said, i always allow the dog near me and DS and i pet him while holding the baby etc.
he became very aware of DS and has never trampled him on the floor or stole his toys. he recently had some issues adjusting to DS's new grabby hands. he tries to pull out his fur which has been quite annoying but overall he is very tolerant of the baby.
good luck.
oh, i also wanted the nursery set up quite early so both my dog and cat could explore and get used to the new items

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

My husky was 8 when DS1 was born. We brought home the receiving blanket for her to smell. She was always allowed in hs room when it was being set up so nothing was "off territory" for her. When we brought him home we put the carrier on the floor. She sniffed him and walked away. She used to sit right by my feet when I would nurse him. It was so sweet. She would also sit near whoever was holding the baby as if he was hers. By the time I had DS 2 she was 11years old. She just didn't care either way. My younger DS absolutely adores her, she's pretty indifferent at the point. I think she can take the kids or leave them. But she's also going to be 14 in a couple of weeks.

Re: Families who had dogs before babies...

I have a cavalier king charles spaniel, who are known to be amazing with kids. My dog can be a little fearful (but never aggressive), so I figured he'd be afraid of the baby at first.
DH brought home a hospital blanket the first night and let the dog sleep with it. When I came home, I went in first without the baby and gave him a new toy. He was so excited to see me. DH brought in the baby in her carseat and let the dog sniff her. He seemed a little unsure, but by the next day, you could tell he totally accepted her as a family member. This pic was from just a couple of weeks later. He adored her and still does at 18 months. (And you can see him kissing her head in her NB shot in my avatar pic.)

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Message edited 7/24/2012 12:44:44 PM.

Families who had dogs before babies...

I have a rescue dog. She was very fearful of strangers when DS was born. I didn't have a plan for introducing DS except that I wasn't going to push him on the dog. When we brought DS home, she was immediately curious and stood on her hind legs to see him on the changing table (she's a Corgi, not very tall!). In the first few days he was home, she would race to his door when he cried...we started calling her Nurse Pumpkin.