Those who have dogs...

How do you think the pup is going to respond to the little one when they come home? I had a nightmare last night that my little pekignese got aggressive once the baby came home, and wanted to see if anyone knows of speial training or anything to help with the anxiety.

Re: Those who have dogs...

I have 3 dogs, So I'm looking forward to seeing how each other them will interact with the baby.

Cesear Millian has some good tips
link

Re: Those who have dogs...

We have been trying to prepare the dogs.

We got one of those baby dolls that cry and coo. We dusted it with baby powder. We carry it around sometimes and let it make noise.

We have made the nursery an off limits zone. They are only allowed in there to sniff if invited by one of us and must be calm while in there. They mostly sit at the entry way.

We have very good dogs and always work on obedience with them. I am sure there will still be some jealously because they have always been our babies but hopefully it will be short lived.

Re: Those who have dogs...

I think my dog will be fine in terms of behaving around the baby. She plays a lot with my friend's babies and she's always been great......calm, sweet, she lets them do whatever to her and when she tires of it she simply walks away. She is VERY attached to my DH and I so I know she will be jealous at first but I think she will adjust okay. She does not have an aggressive bone in her body, she's wonderful so I know she will adjust.

Re: Those who have dogs...

Re: Those who have dogs...

We had DH bring a blanket home and for us it did nothing. The minute we came home I went and played with our BT. Then we brought Andrew in and our dog went nuts. We were so nervous. This went on for about a day or so and now they are best friends

Don't get upset if they don't get along at first. The dog will adjust

Re: Those who have dogs...

Thanks ladies. I think we are going to try the doll thing. They also told us to play a cd of a baby crying to get him used to the sounds. I tried this briefly and the dog was howling along to the cries My dog has never been aggressive and is 10 pounds soaking wet, but he is very spoiled right now and I am assuming the jealousy with the baby.

Re: Those who have dogs...

I am nervous about this too. I am having my baby tomorrow and DH will bring home the blanket for my dog to sleep with. Not sure if it'll do anything but it's worth a try. My dog is not aggressive at all but she does get overly excited & jumps alot, that's what I'm most afraid of. Hopefully it all works out without a problem. I think once the initial excitement wears off she'll be fine.

Re: Those who have dogs...

I am a little nervous, I have 2 labs, they are both over 100lbs.

About 5 months ago we stopped letting upstairs and they stopped sleeping in our room. We have a gate upstairs, but they actually don't go upstairs anymore at all and they know they are not allowed.

We have a gate from the family room, where their doggy beds are to the rest of the house.

I honestly think they will be fine.

Re: Those who have dogs...

Well i am going to see how mine are. I dont know what is going to happen yet.

Re: Those who have dogs...

I know it may be a little different with cats... but we have 5 cats. Our plan is to set up the baby's room ahead of time and allow them time in there so they don't associate it with something bad (we'll put the crib tent over the crib so no one tries to sleep in there). Then when I'm in the hospital I told DH he's to bring home a blanket that the baby spent some time in each night and allow each cat to snif it and put it in a place they like to sleep or in our bed (they like to sleep there).

When I come home I plan on holding the baby in my arms and allowing the baby to be sniffed by whoever is curious and DH or I will pet the cat so there is a positive association. As I registered for various things I tried to keep the cats in mind - so lots of things with tents and such - even our bouncy seat is going to have a double canopy that zips over so cats can check out baby safely. Of course they will never be alone with the baby. Once baby starts to sleep in his/her crib we'll keep the door closed when baby is sleeping in it to be safe. I think one loud startling cry or grab of a tail (or a chunk of fur) and the cats will steer clear of baby.

I grew up with dogs since infancy - a lot of my baby pictures have a golden retriever sitting next to me, like my protector... it's cute.

Message edited 3/30/2008 9:51:17 PM.

Message edited 11/3/2009 3:59:42 PM.

Re: Those who have dogs...

i'm worrie about this too. i have two lil 3lb chihuahuas that truly think they are the babies of the house! one of them is really attached to me and loves to just be right next to me on the couch. while i was sick the last two weeks, she wouldnt leave my side. i want to get a tape of a baby to try to prepare them for the baby, and maybe try holding a doll. they are really good with my stepchildren, no biting or snapping or anything like that, one of them loves people, and loves to greet everyone. the other hates strangers coming over, and will bark and growl, she thinks she is a big dog, i want to try to make sure that they dont feel left out and still get attention so they wont resent the baby. i'm sure it will be rough in the beginning til they adjust to everything!

Re: Those who have dogs...

I'm worried about this too. I have a 4 year old, 13lb mini dachshund, Leo. He has been my baby for his whole life. I actually nursed him back to health [thought he was going to die] when he was 6 weeks old. He is VERY attached to me. My DH has 3 kids. They stay with us every other weekend. Leo has taken a long time but is still not totally used to them. I think any small person makes him get on the defensive. He has growled and slightly nipped at DH's youngest [she's 3.] Needless to say, we will be consulting a trainer before the baby comes- probably once the weather starts getting nice, so we have several months to whip Leo into shape!

Edit: grammar

Message edited 3/31/2008 12:37:33 PM.

Re: Those who have dogs...

we did nothing leading up to DS's birth. But our dog has grown up around kids as we have lots of nieces and nephews. DH brought home the blanket and lucy smelled it and that was it, then at night my DH said he heard her sticking her head in the bag the blanket was in.

We came home put the baby on the coffee table and I pet lucy. Overall Lucy shows little interest in DS, she gets jealous when we show him play time attention but all she does is nose her way in. She also steals his stuff when we arent home and puts it in her bed, no biggie. When ever DS is low enough she loves to lick his hands and head and she sniffs him all the time. Also when he is crying she runs around looking for "help" its pretty funny. Also if there is someone near him she doesnt know well, she parks herself right near them. If she knows the person, like my ILs or dad, she just goes and plays on her own, like she knows she can trust them.

One thing I will say as both myself and a friend had the same issue, Lucy who has been housebroken since she was 14 weeks old, had about 5 accidents in the house after DS was born (she is now 3) so dont be surprised if the dog shows its anxiety in other ways.

Re: Those who have dogs...

I just remembered something else. We made sure that we had his swing out and bouncer out. We turned the swing on with music the whole bit and the bouncer. This was our dog got used it before Andrew came along.