dogs

mrsdan2009

The post below made me think of this. We are obviously going to keep our puppy (1.5 year old golden retriever) as she is the love of our lives.

How are you planning on introducing your dog to the new LO?

Any training prior to the baby's arrival??

harlosc

We actually have two dogs.  Our plan has been to take them around kids as much as possible at like parks and with relatives.  Then when babe comes we will slowly introduce them.   But both of ours are really interested and love kids! Good Luck!

Fuzzy8252

I've been mulling over this as well. I'm really interested and worried as to how our two mutts will take to baby. They're spoiled rotton and I know it!

I've been reading that you should let them sniff new baby stuff out as you bring it home... crib, stroller. Once the baby is born, bring them a blanket or onsie that has the scent of the baby and of the mother. This way they smell something new, but also something very familar. I think that we're going to have to try this.

Pickle123

I've heard to get a recorded of a baby crying so it's not a new sound for them. Also DH will bring home a baby blanket from the hospital so he can get used to the new smell. I also heard to have DH carry the baby in and the mom greet the dog when coming home so the dog knows that mom is ok and still giving attention.

 

We have a golden too, they are so sweet!

mlf625

One thing we did with our Sheltie was totally mix up his schedule in the months before the baby came. ?We'd feed him at random times, let him out at random times, sometimes leave him outside longer than he was used to (in good weather, obviously), etc. ?Any schedule we had with him, we lost. ?Sounds really counteractive but it was helpful. ?Once the baby comes, you're not going to feed the dog every day at 9am like you did before. ?Now he just kind of expects the unexpected and rolls with it. ?:)

Fuzzy8252

I just feel for my dogs in general. They've been CA dogs for the past 5 years and now we've moved them to MN... I wonder what they'll do when it's a good -30F outside and they need to go out... let alone a baby!!!

ElloPoppet

You can actually start the scent acclimation earlier if you have a friend with a baby. Bring a baby blanket with that baby's scent or baby vomit on it (gross yes, but it works) for puppy to get used to even before your own is born.

 Training for my little one is going to be difficult, as he has issues with most people and other animals.

Step one for me has been to walk him with a squirt bottle, so I can squirt him when he barks or tries to attack passerby. I've been mostly successful in this, and can simply use verbal and leash corrections on walks to curb his protectiveness of me.

Step 2 is going to be more socialization with other dogs on neutral territory. He is good with "Auntie Zoe", MIL's italian greyhound, but bringing other dogs into the home is always a risk, especially if I'm in the room (he's posessive of me).

Step 3 is going to be soliciting baby-scented items (see above) for use in my home.

Step 4 I think will have to be in-home obedience training, with one of the trainers from work.

Dexter (my dog) is actually good with the cat 99% of the time, so I'm hoping that he will see the baby in the same way - just another creature to love and give kisses to, though if he wants to "play" with baby, that may not be good either.

Kitty loves everyone, so I'm not worried at all about baby + kitty. The only preparation I will be taking with kitty is making sure kitty cannot jump into the bassinet/crib/changing table/etc., as he is quite the adventurer and likes to sleep on MY face, so I don't see why he wouldn't want to cuddle up on baby's face also, which of course we do not want.

gingerfamily

I have heard of the baby blanket as well.

As it gets closer I plan on getting a baby doll or something to hold so that the dogs get used to me holding something else.  My doxie loves to lay on my lap when I am sitting down.

ElloPoppet

Fuzzy8252:

I just feel for my dogs in general. They've been CA dogs for the past 5 years and now we've moved them to MN... I wonder what they'll do when it's a good -30F outside and they need to go out... let alone a baby!!!

My dog was a rescue from a kill shelter in Tennessee, so this past winter was both MY first winter in snow, and HIS first winter in snow - and he LOVES it! He goes bouncing around like a little snow bunny in the backyard and doesn't want to come in, even when he's shaking. We also have parts of the yard that end up as ice, and it's really fun to watch my little boy go slipping and sliding all over the place when he runs over those parts with his itty bitty feet.

Granted it's not -30 here, but it did hit 14 a good bit & Dexter was good - he would usually just pee about 1 foot outside the door when it was really cold & hop back inside.

mrsdan2009

Fuzzy8252:

I just feel for my dogs in general. They've been CA dogs for the past 5 years and now we've moved them to MN... I wonder what they'll do when it's a good -30F outside and they need to go out... let alone?a baby!!!

it will be an adjustment. When we got Nala we lived in the twin cities it was april and no snow. well there were 2 huge snow storms at our parents 3 hours north. my dad had to literally shovel a spot because she had learned to pee on grass and refused to go on the snow. ?they get used to it. she won't even go out to pee if its -30. she held it for 19 hours last winter.?

jknallen

We also have a Golden Retriever.  She was 4 when DS was born.  We didn't do anything special with her.  She absolutly loves everyone.  She was very interested in DS from the moment that we brought him home.  We let her sniff him in the car seat before we took him out when we got home and we obviously watched her very carefully.  She has never had a problem and 2 years later they are best buds. 

GCavvv

Were gonna play baby sounds so our girl can hear. I might carry a doll around closer. Get the dog familiar with the baby;s name when we know it.

ach427

I have a home day care so my dog is around kids and babies all the time and she is fabulous. What I am worried about is family holidays, when we often have SIX dogs in one house, not all of whom are as gentle as mine. But in my family, dogs ARE family so we will work it out.

Good luck to all you ladies! I'm happy to see such positive attitudes here.