Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

How did you pet react to the baby when you brought him/her home??? Our pup is like our baby. I treat her like my baby. DH says I have to stop bc once comes, the pup is going to be so confused why we're not spending as much time with her. What did you do? It is possible to still show the same love as you did before the baby came right???

Also posted on Parenting board

Message edited 11/18/2011 3:46:45 PM.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

We have a cat, so maybe a little different, but he was fine when ds was little. Curious mostly. Now that DS is on the go and can chase after the cat we are having more issues, but we expected that.

I 've heard of the father taking home a hospital blanket that the baby was wrapped in and letting the dog smell it so.they get used to the scent. Maybe have your dh do that.

good luck !!

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

I'm interested in this also.

I have a Golden who gets all of our attention, which still doesn't seem like enough... I don't know what he is going to be like when the baby arrives.

I read an article that said to gradually start giving the dog less and less attention before the baby gets there so he doesn't associate the lack of attention with the baby, but I have no idea how we will get away with that.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

This is one of my biggest concerns. Our puppy (not so much a puppy anymore as he's a 100 lb lab but he's still my puppy) has been our baby for the last 3 years (he's turning 3 a month before is due). I totally understand where you're coming from. He is my baby. We lay together, we snuggle together, I talk to him - I treat him like a human! DH is the same way. From all that I've been reading and talking to others the biggest peice of advice I keep getting is when your DD is born, have DH bring home the blanket she was wrapped in the very first night he comes home and let your puppy smell it. Have DH keep saying that this is the "baby's blanket". Let your puppy even put it on his bed with him. Their sense of smell is what they rely most on so letting him get used to the smell of the baby is what is most important. I actually just emailed our old dog trainer for some tips for when the baby actually comes home. I'll forward you her email to me on FM when I get it.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

Our dog adapted very well. While the baby was in the hospital, DH did bring home some of the baby's blankets so the dog could smell them. She of course always wanted to sniff and lick the baby once she got home but other than that it was fine. The biggest change was probably the sleeping arrangements. Our dog used to sleep in the hallway outside our bedroom but she started barking everytime the baby cried. It drove me crazy so now the dog sleeps in the kitchen instead. It's been 2 years now and everyone is happy

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

We gave a 2 year old cockapoo and he was my baby before dd. I wound up being induced and then having a csection and from start to finish was in the hospital for 6 nights...Charlie (my dog) stayed at my parents. We brought dd home and then DH went to get him. He came in super excited to see me and ran around sniffing everything, then found the baby and sniffed and wanted nothing to do with her. After the initial greeting, he also wanted nothing to do with me. He wouldn't lay with me on the couch while the baby napped, which he had done the entire pregnancy. I was heartbroken! After a week or 2 he warmed back up to me and became slightly more interested in dd. On top of the new baby, we moved 1 month later and rocked the poor dogs world yet again. Out of guilt we let him start sleeping in our bed. 4 months later he's fine, and now that dd has found that he exists she looks at him and he goes over to lick her fingers. I try to stop him from always licking her, but she gets a kick out if it, and so does he! He is still neglected compared to all the attention he once got, but I keep telling him that she's going to grow up and be his best friend!

So it will be rough at first but it will get better. DH did let him sniff her blankets before bringing him home and we did limit their interaction and keep a close eye on the dog until we felt comfortable that he didn't feel threatened by her or aggression toward her.

Hth!

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

We have two dogs and one in particular is "the baby" and is very, very attached to us. He doesn't get aggressive ever but if I were to show our other dog affection, he would squeeze in the middle so he's not left out

Many people already recommended bringing home the baby blanket or other item with the scent but I just wanted to point out that you should treat it like "the baby." The dog sniffing the item should be on your terms and they shouldn't be allowed to carry it, pull on it, etc. The "scent" should be something to respect and they need to learn that quick.

Here is an excerpt from cesar milan's advice on introducing dog to baby.

"Claim your baby's scent.Bring an item that contains your baby's scent, such as a burp cloth, from the hospital before bringing home the baby. During this exercise, it is crucial that you set clear boundaries. Challenge the dog to sniff from a distance, while you are holding the item. By doing so, you are communicating to your dog that the item is yours and then giving permission for the dog to sniff. "This new item belongs to me, and you will need to follow my rules when around it." This helps start the process of creating respect for the baby."

I know some people aren't crazy about his methods but I am a fan and plan to follow these tips.

good luck to us all

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

I still love my cats and am still as obsessed with them as I was before the baby was born.
I give them a TON of love, affection etc when the baby is sleeping.
They have not suffered one bit since she was born.
They are my first babies- and always will be

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

i was really concerned about this with our last dog Pumpkin who recently passed away...she had aggressive tendencies and she was my shadow and loved to be very close to me so before we started trying to get pregnant we slowly changed some of the rules of the house (she ruled the house ) so that she wouldn't associate not being allowed on the bed/couch/on top of us with the baby...we broke all of those bad habits to the point that when we did want her to cuddle with us she would rather sleep on the floor i was going to introduce her to baby sounds when it got closer since she never heard a baby cry before, we had a baby doll that we would take out once in awhile and we would practice boundaries with it...then we figured when we got the baby stuff we'd let her sniff everything and set it up beforehand so she could get used to it...and of course we'd bring home the baby's scent from the hospital, etc. unfortunately my baby got really sick about a month ago and we had to put her down now i feel a little guilty that i seperated myself from her this last year but i really had no choice...otherwise i think she would have been very jealous...

we have a newly adopted dog now and we are giving her no more attention than we think we can provide once the baby comes - meaning she isn't "our baby" like Pumpkin was, she is loved and a little spoiled but she doesn't rule the house or our world like Pumpkin did...this dog has no issues and is very friendly so i'm less concerned about aggression but i know it will be an adjustment so i'm keeping the same things in mind with this dog so that she doesn't get jealous - jealousy can turn into aggression...

i would just practice boundaries and let your pet get used to having to wait for your attention...

the one thing i do love about our new dog Maddie is that she is very sweet, loving and well behaved and i think we can include her when the baby comes as long as she is good - with Pumpkin i was nervous about how close we should let her get...i would never leave any animal alone with a baby but if Maddie adjusts well i can see allowing her on the bed next to me while i breastfeed so she doesn't feel neglected (as an example) kwim?

Message edited 11/18/2011 4:40:49 PM.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

We have three furbabies that have never been around a baby! I've been doing my own reseach and came up with what other posters have mentioned. Be sure to bring home the baby's blanket and let the dog sniff it. It is also important when bringing baby home to let your dog smell the baby as soon as you bring him/her into the house.

It is also a good idea to set up the baby's toys (swing, basinet, etc.) and turn them on prior to baby arriving so our pets can get used to the new items and become adjusted to the sounds they make.

I worry about neglecting my furbabies but, I'm hoping that between DH&I they will get enough attention. It's just going to take additional effort from both of us but, I'm commited to them.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

Our dog did pretty well. Lamont, our Yorkie, was 18 months when we brought DS home. We put the baby down and let him sniff and lick him and then he was fine.

What happened was he barked like crazy any time DS cried because he was not used to the cries (even though we had been playing baby cries for months on the speakers for him.)

I would say that inside a week Lamont was significantly better. By the time DS was 2 weeks old, he was not barking for every cry anymore. They are great friends today - DS is 13 months old.

Message edited 11/18/2011 4:54:23 PM.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

I also worry about this. We have 2 puppies, and they are our babies. Murphy, the most spoiled by our attn is 5 and Maddie is 3. I'm going to be heartbroken to have their worlds change so much.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

My DS brought a baby blanket home for my dog to sniff. When we first walked in the door my dog started growling at the babies car seat. I got all worried, but figured out it wasn't the baby it was the car seat she was scared of. That was the only time ever she did that. She is wonderful with my DS. DS is 2.5 and can sometimes get a little ruff with my penny girl, but she is wonderful and just sits and takes it or walks away. My dog loves DS and gives him the same loving greeting DH and I get when we all walk in the door. She is a small dog and she will jump on your leg and whine till you pet her. She gets so excited.
You are not able to give your pet the same attention in the beginning. It is very hard, but after you get into a routine with the baby and they start actually sleeping, you will give them more attention. My dog is still my baby!!

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

Our dogs have been wonderful with the twins!!!

The most amazing thing that has happened is that when we came home with only one baby from the NICU one of the dogs was VERY upset and would look around the house. She was great with the baby, but did not settle down until we brought the other baby home.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

I started "detaching" from our dogs around 20 weeks... no more sitting on my lap, no more jumping on the couch... we gave them attention, played with them, but in different ways. By time DS came around, the dogs weren't too bad. They were very protective of the baby and very gentle with him. Now, he's almost two and they have a great relationship. :)

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

i did not change a thing. and yes it is definitely possible to show your pet the same amount of love and attention!

last night when I put DD to sleep in the rock n play next to the bed, my cat burrowed her way under the covers and into my armpit! i was rocking the rock n play with one hand, and cuddlying kitty with the other.

Re: Silly But... Pets... BTDT moms

i have a young dog (he was 1.5 when DS was born) and a cat (3 yrs)

DH brought a blanket home while i was in the hospital.
when i came home, i walked in first, DH stayed outside with the baby. i played a little with the dog...got on the floor with him until he settled down.
we brought in the baby and the dog growled at him in the car seat. i kept telling my dog "nice, nice" and touching the car seat. i let him sniff the baby. then i took the baby out and held him, all while still on the floor. the dog sniffed around and i made sure to pet the dog while holding the baby. he warmed up literally in about 10 minutes.

i read somewhere not to push the dog away every time you have the baby or he will associate the babyy with negative things because he can never be with you if the baby is around.

my cat could care less about the baby