Introducing dog to new baby worries!

rubi898

Hey there,

Couldn't see a previous post about this with a quick flick through.

I wondered if any moms have experienced introducing dog to new baby? Truly I was calm about all this until I spoke to my mom who totally freaked me out with worry about the baby/dog dynamic! (we live in a small apartment in London)

I have ordered a book on setting rules for the dog and how to do these intros but it's taking ages to arrive, but wondered if anyone did some things they found really helpful in this transition or know any online resources?

I know it's a long way off until this is happening but I thought I might start retraining our dog sooner rather than later!

We have a small jack-a-poo who is 1.5 years, he's very loving and quite gentle but very excitable. I'm worried he is just going to want to jump on baby and lick it all over and chew their toys/diapers/bottles etc!!

Any help/ideas appreciated!

knightmansmama

I don't have experience that has proven useful yet because our little one isn't here yet. We have four large dogs (I'm talking 140+ pounds each) and I started training them right away that baby stuff wasn't to be touched, licked, drooled on etc. I went to the store and bought nuks, bibs, blankets, burb rags, bottles, small toys, a pack n play, and even a swing. I started just leaving stuff around and I'd squirt them with a squirt bottle if they got to rough with the swing or pack n play. I replace the baby item with one of their toys if it went in there mouth. It only took two days of having this stuff lay around for them to completely ignore it. My logic behind this was to have them not stealing baby things off our end tables when I really needed them. They already seem to think it's old news. Best of luck to you! I wouldn't stress too much. I have four dogs and I keep reminding myself that the dogs will adjust it will just take time. In the meantime I've researched small table top baby items so that baby is out of reach when I'm not in the room. Even though my dogs are mastiffs and known as "nanny" dogs I would still never trust them alone with a baby or child. It's a big adjustment for everyone but from having friends with babies and dogs, as long as the dog still gets a walk and attention everything usually works out for the best

CamoBride2010

We have 2 Rat Terriers ( SUPER high energy dogs) and our female can be a little...grouchy haha. I was seriously worried how they would react because the female was 5 and the male was 3 when we had DD and neither had much experience with babies.  Honestly my worries were pointless. We had some bumps in the road where the male would get to excited and try to jump on the baby but a quick correction was all he needed. They are seriously best friends now ( especially since she likes to give them "snacks" haha). The dogs just seemed to *know* that DD was little and couldn't really help thing like occasionally falling on them or bumping them with toys. DD could probably do anything to those dogs without a problem ( although i would never test that theory). We just made sure to give the dogs as much attention as we could when we came home from the hospital and we didn't ban them from all things dealing with the baby ( we did allow them to lay on our bed next to the baby while we watched t.v. because that's what the are used to). So give everyone time to adjust, expect a few bumps, don't freak out on the dog ( it's a major life change for them too!) and never leave them alone together.

Ryder0406

Sorry, no advice... Just having the same worries. We have two dogs, a 1.5yo male husky and a 6yo female shih tzu/Maltese. I have full confidence in the husky, he's amazing with everyone from my 86yo grandfather to our 3yo neighbors' kids. Somehow he knows certain people are treated differently, I've never had to teach him that, he just knows. Also, he's my dog and he listens to me VERY well.

The shih tzu however... She's a bit of a biotch. She's very self centered, hates it when her brother gets ANY attention, steals his toys he's playing with and then hoards them/doesn't play with them. She's also quite snappy with the neighbor kids. She's excited to see them for about 2mins, then she's had enough and wants them to leave her alone. She also was never really trained because my DH got her before we met and he thought since she's a small dog she didn't need to be trained, so she doesn't listen hardly at all... (Unless you say the word treat..) At this point we have no idea how she'll be with a newborn/baby/toddler, so I'm pretty much hoping she just ignores it.

Sarahbmcd

Along with the scent thing I read when you bring the baby home you shoukd have someone take the dog on a walk and bring the baby in while dog is gone. Then when dog comes home keep it on a leash and let it slowly sniff things out but not letting it get too close at first.

ambarnett1

My personal experience is we didn't think about it when our almost 7 month old came home. We were curious how he would act, but we forgot about training or anything until we came home. He did want to jump and see what we had, but we just said no be careful. Eventually he got the message. Now he is cautious of where the baby is 90% of the time and they get along well.

j3nnyb3nny

We are in this situation too.
We have a Jack Russell cross and he is used to being the man of the house. We have started training him already to not be allowed on the furniture or jumping up.
We have little water pistols so if he does something wrong he just gets a little squirt and he usually stops.
We have bought a large play pen that will be a total dog free area and have started putting toys and things he knows he isn't allowed in there and also sitting in it and ignoring him so that he gets to the point that he just doesn't care about the play pen or its contents.
He is generally responding quite well to the changes so far. We are making sure to reward him for good behaviour so I think that has helped. I think the most important thing is being consistent. We have warned everyone than comes into our home what our expectations are and how to react to him too.
As PP said we are planning to introduce him to the babies scent before the actual baby too.

missiep86

Our dogs were great when my son came home. They were curious, but super loving and protective over him. They knew right away that he belonged. Something even more awesome was that my son was already used to the barking from when he was in my belly. So if they were to bark I would jump up thinking for sure they'd woke him, but he'd still be sound asleep. The toys is a different story. Our dogs have chewed up a few baby toys, but my son is 2 and half now and it never happens anymore. They start to realize not everything belongs to them anymore. Good luck!

nicunursetomommy

First off, extremely jealous you live in London. My favorite place in the world. Second, I'm worried about this as well. I have 2 hyper 70lb dogs. I'm absolutely terrified.

sailaplay

I train dogs and the one big thing I would recommend is to change anything that needs to be changed (ie where the dogs sleep, whether they are allowed on the couch, rooms they may not be allowed into) right away. I was able to train me three not to enter into the living room as I didn't want hair in that room as that was where baby and I spent most of our time (with my DS). You don't want to dogs to associate the changes with the baby coming.
The other thing that needs to be done but can wait a little bit is to desensitize the dogs to small child harassment. Get in the dogs food while he's eating, pull on their ears and tails, basically all the things a small toddler almost certainly WILL do. Good owners will of course teach their children not to harass the dog but there will be slips.
PPs are totally right about the fact that most dogs adjust very well and are instinctly gentle with babies. It's good to try to adjust them slowly to the inevitable changes that will happen in their lives, especially if you're one of those people that call your dogs your kids (me!) because once you have a baby you realize that they are dogs!

samiamagirl

Everyone had some great advice here, definitely utilize the different tips and see what works best for your dog. In the end don't stress, because then dog and baby will stress. During the first month or so just keep an extra eye on all dog/baby interactions and stamp out whatever you're not comfortable with. Everyone is going to go through an adjustment phase so you'll all be ready to be "retrained."

Side note: @kendra1992‌ - are you and your husband working on stopping the habit where the dog covers your mouth when you cry? Make sure you start nipping that in the bud now because the dog will probably attempt to do that to the baby too.

crarnberg

When we brought our daughter home we were shocked at how well behaved our dog was. He is a jumper and a licker but so lovey. I feel like he immediately knew that he could not do that with Everleigh.

He continues to be so good with her. Let's her climb all over him - and Everleigh just adores him!

Our only issue was with pacifiers - he would take them if she dropped it and chew it up.

rubi898

Thanks everyone for the advice and or encouraging stories about your dogs!! I think we'll be all good, but it's nice to hear from others!

And now I'm going to buy a water pistol lol!!

squeezebean

sailaplay said:

I train dogs and the one big thing I would recommend is to change anything that needs to be changed (ie where the dogs sleep, whether they are allowed on the couch, rooms they may not be allowed into) right away. I was able to train me three not to enter into the living room as I didn't want hair in that room as that was where baby and I spent most of our time (with my DS). You don't want to dogs to associate the changes with the baby coming.
The other thing that needs to be done but can wait a little bit is to desensitize the dogs to small child harassment. Get in the dogs food while he's eating, pull on their ears and tails, basically all the things a small toddler almost certainly WILL do. Good owners will of course teach their children not to harass the dog but there will be slips.
PPs are totally right about the fact that most dogs adjust very well and are instinctly gentle with babies. It's good to try to adjust them slowly to the inevitable changes that will happen in their lives, especially if you're one of those people that call your dogs your kids (me!) because once you have a baby you realize that they are dogs!

This!

And a tip from my vet (who happens to be my mom):
Ignore the dog when you first walk in the door, especially if he's jumping. Wait for calm behavior before you reward him with attention. It's hard, but it will eventually make for a calmer home!

Charmedseed

We've put kennels (with lots of snuggly blankets!) back in our bedroom for our two greyhounds. They tend to like them anyway, kind of a safe space for them.

Do you know any children you can introduce your doggies to? Our pups have spent time around our nephews and neighbors enough, but they're all toddlers and up. Greyhounds tend to be very good with kids - both of ours have been tolerant of ear pulling and petting with no trouble!

A good 'doggie manners' class is a great idea, too.

stark01938209

Our lab rottie was 3 when our first was born. She knew I was pregnant. No training needed. The worse thing she did was sneak up and lick him on the top of the head when he was in his bouncer. The two of them have always been best friends. Also, she's a large dog too. It's nice to know I'm pretty sure she'd fight to the death for him (she's never bit anyone- but she's definitely got some guard dog in her).

Nita2603

I have a Great Dane-poodle mix. She is just under a 100 pounds and pretty high energy. We were concerned in the beginning, just because she was clumsy and so bouncy.
She surprised us. We had baby stuff set up early and she wasn't interested much.
She became very attached and protective of me while pregnant and she moved that seamless over to the kid(s).
Yes, she had licked and 'mothered' them, but we have always made sure that she only gets to lick right before bath - so she got to bond and I got to have a clean baby anyways.
She was at my side while I labored at home each time. Wouldn't leave me.

When we brought baby home, she took post next to whatever baby was in - swing, bassinet, whatever. If the boys moved, she moved. When we had visitors, she kept an eye on them handling the baby and laid in front of the door so nobody could leave with baby.

My boys are 2 and 3 now. Shadow has been the gentlest I could imagine. She plays, she keeps an eye on them and she licks of tears and sniffs booboos. Both kids have taken their first steps holding onto her.

My advice is to 'include' the dog as much as you can while setting boundaries you are comfortable with. Set baby stuff up early. Start walking with the stroller before baby is there.
Send a receiving blanket home before you even leave the hospital so he can get used to baby's smell.

He knows what's up. Hormones are hormones. He can smell on you that there is a baby coming. If you make this an unpleasant time for him, he may connect that to the baby - if it's a good time, baby will likely be associated with the positive experience as well.

Good luck.