Re: Really Upset

I have a boxer and shes nuts. We just got through training (with the collar), and its a lot of work but it can be done. We bought a fake baby (we look so silly) but walk around the house with her, and polly seems to notice to be extra gentle. We always say "nice" when we show her the baby.
It takes dedication, but your dog is a member of your family too. Be patient.

Re: Really Upset

Try to remember- you are not going to be leaving the baby alone with the dog-EVER. Also- by the time jumping *might* become an issue, your dog will be VERY used to the baby being around. At 14 months old, my toddler is NEVER allowed near the dog unless one of us is right there watching. Even then, she's only allowed to pet Luna if one of us is there to steady her (falling toddlers scares my timid mutt).

Please call BarkBusters (you can google them). I just used them and they offer a lifetime guarantee. They will come out as many times as it takes to get behavior under control.

It takes work, but it can be done. Please realize that the chances of you being able to rehome an adult dog are pretty slim.

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Re: Really Upset

Have youspoken with your vet re: the seperation anxiety. Often times, dogs with SEVERE anxiety can be given medications to treat it- much like the meds humans take.

Re: Really Upset

Posted by Porrruss

Have youspoken with your vet re: the seperation anxiety. Often times, dogs with SEVERE anxiety can be given medications to treat it- much like the meds humans take.

Re: Really Upset

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Re: Really Upset

I have two dogs, 1 child and one on the way.

I too was very nervous to bring my DD in the house with my dogs. One of my dogs steals things also and is very hyper. The dog loves to jump on people and climb on the couches, etc.

My DD is now 19 months and believe it or not the dogs adjusted and they do not bother her at all. At first they were very leary of the baby, but in time they understood that she was just a little person. Just make sure you dont leave the dog and baby unattended at all. I trust my dogs completely and now at 19 months i can leave them together. She might pull their tails, ears, etc. but they put up with it.

Its normal to be nervous, but give it a chance. It might just work out.

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i have a very clumsy, annoying, yippy, jumping, sometimes aggresive dog- he is small- but the same worries came to me. My mom, grandma, sister, anyone you can think of grilled me about the dog and the baby (DS who is now 12 months)- i said we would be extra careful and see how it went. Turns out the dog is AMAZING with my son. They are pals for the most part, and when the dog doesnt want to be bothered he knows to leave the room and go where he cant be found. You would have to be more careful b/c of the size of your dog, but i wouldnt give the dog away before the baby is born- sometimes the dogs just know when not to do something.

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My parents had a dog before they had me. My dog was about a year old when they had me. He was a irish setter/cocker spaniel mix and he was hyper. Everyone was worried on how he was going to react when my parents brought me home. My dad told my mom to put me on the bed and my dad had the dog by the leash. The dog sniffed me and went on his merry way. He did become protective of me. My mom was in the kitchen and her friend was in the bedroom with me and the dog and I started crying. My mom asked her friend to pick me up. All of the sudden my mom realized the dog was in there and he started barking at the friend because she picked me up.

I wouldn't give up the dog. There are ways of babies and dogs to coexist. Maybe when the baby is born and before you come home from the hospital, have DH bring home a blanket or something that has the baby's scent on it. Have the dog sniff it so the dog becomes familiar with the scent.

Re: Really Upset

I have 2 much smaller dog and one of them is a jumper. He knows he cannot jump. He is just too excited.

For the 1st month, DS did not even come close to them. Always in my arms and not at their level.

Slowly we started letting DS be in same room as them in the swing.

They never jumped on him.

They did not know what to make of DS at first.

Now... it's business as usual.

The jumping dog still jumps on me and DH and still tell him to stay down. He obeys after a few crazy seconds.. He does not jump on DS.

Dogs adapt.

Lots of labs are that way. A bit crazy. They don't mean bad. Just try to separate them a bit at the begining and see how it goes.

I like the idea of not letting the dog go in some rooms.

My dogs were never allowed in the bedrooms so it was easier for us.

Re: Really Upset

Thanks ladies for your suggestions..We have really tried most of your suggestions, the drugs for separation anxiety, the trainer, we are now going to walk her A LOT MORE, but we've done that when we've had his parents or my parents over, walked for for like two hour stretches and she still just becomes crazy dog when they come in the house...DH is frightened that they'll be holding her, and the dog will decide to jump and knock them both over..I don't know DH, and I had a huge blow out fight last night and he agreed to"have it my way" which is to try her out with the baby, but I can see how upset he is, and I really hate that as well! DH is very much a worry wart and I know this is making him go crazy!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!