For those of you with four legged "babies"

Puckchick07

What or What did you do to acclimate your pets to the new baby?

I have two dogs, an affenpinscher and a terrier mix. They're very much mama's boys and constantly follow me everywhere. Although, I love to think I will provide the same amount of attention toward them, I need to start getting them used to the fact that a little baby will be in the house.

Any ideas on what to do? Thank you!!

edbetsy1

In my case I have 3 cats.  1 of my cats is extremely spoiled and she sort of runs the household.  I read somewhere I think it was 3rd Tri or 2nd Tri there is a cd that is sold @ Pet Smart with baby sounds so our furry little babies can get use to baby sounds.  I am thinking of purchasing this myslelf.  I know that dogs have a strong sense of smell and maybe a baby blanket or something to that effect can help them become acustomed to the baby's scent?  I hope this helps!

BrideBuddies

I'm not sure, but I have two female cats and they are literally weirding me out!  

I'm just about 7w and they follow me all over the house, jump in my lap as soon as I sit, etc.  I've heard cats can sense things like pregnancy, but it's getting so I can't puke in the bathroom in peace without them both sitting there watching me and wanting to climb into my lap!

edbetsy1

BrideBuddies:  My spoiled cat is like that as well.  She knows something is up with me so she climbs on my lap and when I get 1 of my horrilbe headaches she climbs into bed with me and sleeps next to my head as if she knew I didn't feel well.  They definetly know when a woman is pregnant.

 

robynlesley

I have no idea how I'm going to get Casey (my Brittany/Border Collie mix) acclimated to the baby?he's definitely a velcro dog. I rescued him almost 9 years ago and he's quite attached to me.

I'm just going to do my best to work with him. I don't think I can really prepare him for the baby, but I'll never leave him alone with the baby and will hire a trainer if need be. I made a commitment to him, and I won't renege on it.

Pesky

We didn't have a dog when DD was born so this time around we are acclimating our dog to baby's cries by starting to cook bacon or something else nice and then playing the music (our trainer suggested this) and getting her used to "off" and "away" commands.  We are also trying to devote some time to her so she gets her mommy and daddy time in too.  My cat I didn't do anything, just let him see the stuff coming in and everything.  He got along just fine. 

On the Nest, ask on teh Pets board.  There is a nestie who has some great tips in her bio about preparing pets for a baby but I can't remember her nest name.

Bluesmoothee

We really didn't do much. I've read that you should let the dog sniff the baby's blanket before bringing the baby home. Or that you should bring the dog outside to meet the baby before you actually bring the baby into the house. But I don't recall doing any of this stuff. He just gradually got accustomed to her. He doesn't love her, but he tolerates her.

Mango2

We have a Golden Retriever who was already pretty good with kids. We have a lot of friends with babies and children so tried to take our dog along to visit them as much as possible before the baby was born. We also spent time in the park by the playground so she could watch kids.

DH brought home the DD's blanket before we came home and left it for the dog. When we brought her home, we brought DD down to the dog's level and let her sniff. We also put the baby in the car seat in the stroller, which is at the dog's height and introduced them that way.

A few times when I was nursing or when DD was sleeping, I'd let the dog join us on the sofa or in bed so that they could both get used to each other. I did let the dog lick DD's feet, but kept her away from her upper body.

hazelgemini26

robynlesley:

I have no idea how I'm going to get Casey (my Brittany/Border Collie mix) acclimated to the baby?he's definitely a velcro dog. I rescued him almost 9 years ago and he's quite attached to me.

I'm just going to do my best to work with him. I don't think I can really prepare him for the baby, but I'll never leave him alone with the baby and will hire a trainer if need be. I made a commitment to him, and I won't renege on it.

That's great to hear! There is no reason to give an animal up for adopt just because you have babies.  However, no matter how tame or trained the dog/cat is, never leave them alone with the baby unattended.  Just make sure you give enough one-on-one attention to the animals.  They deserve it!