preparing dog for baby?

flymansWife · April 2011

ok so do we need to be doing something to get the pup ready for a baby coming home? she has such a mild/loving temperament that i haven't worried about it at all. but thought i'd ask. i've heard that they suggest taking one of baby's garments home so the dog can smell baby before you bring baby home but that's just about all the advice i've ever heard related to new babies/dogs. just thought i'd ask Smile

L L CG · April 2011

We did that-- brought a blanket that she'd been swaddled in for them to sniff the day before we brought her home. We also set up all of the big, looming items (swing and anything that lights up and makes noise) about a month in advance and played with them every once in a while so they got used to them. I was pretty nervous about the dogs, but its been a non-issue. The most attention they give her is an occasional sniff. Its been perfect!

MC+KK · April 2011

We have two little crazy hyper dogs. We were so nervous about bring g B home, but we didnt do anything to prepare but let them sniff her alot when we got home and try to give the dogs 5 min of attention before getting B out of her carseat ect... They are doing great with her so far! It sounds like your dog is sweet and will love a baby!

mcgee · April 2011

I had a homebirth, and according to my mom, Dexter paced outside the master bathroom and whined the whole time. Mom said he kept coming to her as if to say "DO something!" Once I showered and settled into bed with Alex, Dexter put his paws on the bed and gave Alex a few good sniffs. That was about the extent of his interest, once he realized that I was okay.

To be honest, the harder part for our dog was not the arrival of the baby but the beginning of baby mobility. When Alex could crawl or toddle after Dexter, it kind of freaked him out. Fortunately crawling and walking also coincided with Alex eating a lot more regular food, and Dexter soon learned that Alex drops a lot of food on the floor. Stick out tongue

JayandJack · April 2011

L*L*CG:
We did that-- brought a blanket that she'd been swaddled in for them to sniff the day before we brought her home. We also set up all of the big, looming items (swing and anything that lights up and makes noise) about a month in advance and played with them every once in a while so they got used to them. I was pretty nervous about the dogs, but its been a non-issue. The most attention they give her is an occasional sniff. Its been perfect!

This is what we did. It wasn't an issue at all. When we got home we put Jack in the swing and Dexter brought his ball and put it at his feet. It was really cute but when he realized that he wasn't going to play the dog lost interest. Dexter was incredibly spoiled before Jack (still is but not as much)/

We also took him for walks next to the stroller so he could get use to it before there was a baby in it.

fjaril · April 2011

I started washing my hands with the baby soap we'd use on H and used the lotion we used. We set up all the big stuff and carried around a baby doll too. We played some baby crying sounds sometimes, but they annoyed me

Then while she was at dog camp, hubby went by with a blanket that H had slept in. She sniffed it and walked away.

When she got home, I made sure I didn't have the baby so she could love on me.

Then we picked H up and introduced them. She totally loved him! (before he could move)

Taytee · April 2011

fjaril:

When she got home, I made sure I didn't have the baby so she could love on me.

Then we picked H up and introduced them. She totally loved him! (before he could move)

This part is very important. Dogs are pack animals. You need to introduce the baby as being brought into the pack. So if possible, you and DH come home, love on the dog, and y'all are together as one unit, then in comes the baby. I sort of did the same thing introducing Emily to Abby. I made sure Emily was in the nursery when Abby came to see me for the first time. Then after Abby and I had a chance to play for a bit, they brought Emily in to be in both our arms. That way Abby didn't have to figure out where she fit in, KWIM? You do the same thing to introduce another dog to the family too.

thethomps · April 2011

A friend of ours gave us her baby sounds CD. We played that for our dogs for a few months before the baby came. DH brought home a blanket from the hospital that DD was wrapped in so the dogs could smell it before we brought her home. They were a little wary of her at first, but they've warmed up and now love to lick her hands and face. Our oldest one growled at her a few times when she was first home but he's fine with her now. He knows to make a wide berth if he doesn't want to be petted by the baby.

We also let them wander around her room before she came home and then after when she was in her crib and making noise so they'd get used to her sounds, even when she was out of sight.

Mrs.Talala · April 2011

We didn't do anything to prepare. When we came home from the hospital I went in on my own and lOved on the dogs. Then DH brought LO in the house in her car seat. We put it on the ground and let the dogs smell her. They have done great with her! The give her kisses and let her pet them. She love to watch them and gets excited when they come in the room. It's super cute.

SaraLouiseBride08 · April 2011

mcgee:
To be honest, the harder part for our dog was not the arrival of the baby but the beginning of baby mobility. When Alex could crawl or toddle after Dexter, it kind of freaked him out.

This is going to be true of our house, too. The dogs will sniff the baby ... and now after 4 months, give her a lick every now and then. Our girl dog was jealous, but she's starting to get over that. Really, it hasn't been an issue. When the baby can crawl and grab is what's going to take the most work.

angelaggie · April 2011

I wanted to also suggest the baby sounds. You have a Boxer, you know that face they make with new sounds right...the head cocked to the side and all wrinkled up. Bella was way way way too curious about my niece this weekend with all the sounds. So my plan is to get her use to the sounds. Bella has a tendency to lick whatever is making the sound...

HSartteach · April 2011

I haven't read all the responses, so if I repeat anything, I am sorry.

We talked with our dog's behaviorist before giving birth. He was a little concerned with how Chico would react around the baby. He told us that we could walk around with a fake baby (like a doll) that was swaddled so the dog could get used to use holding something like that. I know it's not real, and there is no smell yet, but it's a small step. He also told us to have DH bring home an article of clothing or a blanket (that he had put in a bag before .leaving the hospital so not to get his scent on it too). He was to go home before we came home (the day before) and let the dog sniff it through his pocket. He was to do this again if possible before we got home.

We did the baby thing a few times, but it turned out not to be an issue. Chico's manner was completely different without the presence of our other dog, and he was much more mild mannered and less scared around people. DH did the blanket thing once before we got home. It was super easy and for a while, he didn't really care about the baby. He sniffed him alot in the carrier, but usually then just walked away. When L became mobile, Chico became a little more friendly with him.

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