Getting dogs accustomed

RedMar · May 2014

Have any STMs had success with getting the dog accustomed to the baby by having someone put a blanket (or something with the babe's scent) in their bed before bringing the LO home? If this isn't what you did or you didn't have luck with this, what else do you suggest? I know we've had similar pet threads but I'm looking for more specifics...

nunzchucks · May 2014

DH brought a blanket and one of DD's hats home for the dog to smell. When we first got home, I went in first and gave Tito a bunch of attention before DH brought DD in. Then, we leashed the dog so we had control over him while he sniffed DD in her car seat. HTH!

Taymiller · May 2014

I am so nervous for this! Our dog gets so jealous, we are worried she is going to hate the baby. We put the car seat in the car so she could get used to sitting next to that and it is going well so far but who knows when the baby is actually here.

k318 · May 2014

I had someone bring a hat and blanket home for him to smell as well. When we got home, h and I settled in with the baby, then h picked the dog up from where he was staying, took him for a nice long run to get the excess energy out (he is a very high energy dog, his breed is known for their energy) and brought him in calmly. When he came in, the baby was in the pack n play. The dog first greeted me then sniffed around. He sat in front of the pack n play and sniffed through it. We held the baby and let the dog sniff him. The dog is wonderful with the baby and would not leave his side in the beginning. He still comes to greet ds when he wakes up in the morning, it's like he races me to the room to see who gets to see him first!

ElTrain5 · May 2014

We did the blanket thing with my sisters dog when she has her baby. I'm just scared that I'll bring home a blanket with the babies scent and my dogs will start chewing on it

Unknown · May 2014

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sjn00 · May 2014

We are bringing the blanket home first it will probably be me who gives the dogs the blanket though since they are closer to me then they are him.

I also started wearing the lotions that the baby will be wearing, so the dogs associate the smell of it with me as well as her and its not a completely new scent to them.

I think my dogs will be fine though, they are really good around other babies and kids, so I dont really see it being such an issue. We will bring her gear out soon as well.. Like car seat, bouncer, blankets, and what not so they are used to those items being in "their space" =]

jshrop · May 2014

I have to agree with @shiggybop‌, the dogs will take your cues who is in your pack. I do believe that the dogs can "sense" or maybe even smell the baby en utero. They're going to accept the baby into the pack, but the more anxiety you have the more anxiety they will have. I've said before, and will continue to say, do not give your dogs the opportunity to disappoint you. They should never be left alone with a baby, regardless of how awesome they are. I fully expect my lab will want to be a little momma to our baby, and will probably want to play with her sister, but that isn't going to happen.

diagonalley · May 2014

We brought a blanket back one night and a n outfit another night for our dog to smell. So far she's been curious, but we haven't let her get super close to him. She doesn't seem upset by his presence, thankfully!

Mia081081 · May 2014

We didn't do the blanket thing but we did have my in-laws walk the dog for like 2-3 miles just before we got home so when dog came back in, it was baby's space instead of baby coming into dog's space. Dog is 11lbs but very hyper so I was worried she'd jump all over baby, but she just sniffed her excitedly and that was it. Dog cried a couple of times in the middle of the night when baby cried our first days home.

Then she pretty much ignored her until she started crawling. Now they are buds. I am pretty sure the dog is just going to ignore this baby altogether. She must have lost her motherly instinct when we spayed her.

ncbelle · May 2014

We just brought baby in and let the dogs sniff while we held baby. I think the most important thing is to not make any changes to your dog's routine when baby comes home - so dog still gets walked and fed the same and has access to the same spaces (like if you allow the dog on the couch, you can't suddenly not allow that because baby is there). I also think it helps to give the dogs positive attention as much as possible when they are being calm around baby. Dogs want to please you and generally respond well to positive reinforcement.

And of course the importance of getting TONS of exercise for your dog can't be overemphasized! Nothing leads to trouble faster than a dog who hasn't been walked/exercised enough - and that can be tough to do while adjusting to a new baby. Make sure you have someone who can get the dog plenty of activity while you are in the hospital and during the first weeks home if you aren't able to take care of it yourself.

ncbelle · May 2014

Oh and to echo a point made up thread…you are actually more likely to run into issues when baby becomes mobile. As soon as our kids were old enough to grab, we started reinforcing appropriate ways to touch and interact with the dogs. Yes, we have to train our dogs but it's just as important (if not more so) to train our kids on how to treat the dogs!

lest12 · May 2014

Some people (*eye roll*) have made comments that my dog is so protective by nature, especially of me during pregnancy, that my problem is more likely to be that he won't want to let anyone near the baby.

Is this a thing?

I think the person is being a little dramatic. Buddy has yet to show any signs of aggression, and this person was telling me that we might have to give him up because "his brother's dog bit his brother for holding his own baby."

But I did think it was a question worth asking, because, you know... the more you know!

k318 · May 2014

@lest12‌ the dog not letting people near the baby is a real thing and something that I have been working with my dog on since ds was born. He lets me, h and my mom do whatever with the baby but he watches everyone else like a hawk and will come between them and has growled at the person coming near baby. Even though it is people that he knows. It has been noticed that this happens with bigger people leaning over ds. I guess this looks threatening. I just keep the dog in the backyard when I have guests over.

lest12 · May 2014

@lpetrillo - Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I will be on the lookout for it!

kbellizio3 · May 2014

@lest12 I have heard of this as well.

My dog is protective of DH and myself but not to a fault. He hasn't changed his mannerisms since I've become pregnant (actually in the last few weeks he's been way more polite), and I'm hoping he will be this way with the baby. Protective enough but not to the point where he won't let people near her.

We've allowed our dog access to the nursery when we're in there, and he's allowed to investigate all the new baby items we bring home as well as smell diapers and lotions that we've opened. The plan is to have DH come home during my hospital stay to get him used to the scent, and then when I come home I will greet him first with lots of love and DH will bring the baby in for introductions. We are aiming to keep his schedule as normal as possible once the baby comes. I've had so many people ask me if I plan on giving my animals up when the baby gets home. I always stare at them in disbelief. My dog will be taught proper mannerisms around a baby and when baby becomes mobile she will learn how to properly interact with the dog.

abastian00 · May 2014

These have all been great suggestions! I'm LOLing as I read the issues with over-protective dogs - I have so many friends that this has happened to, but my dog (who is a Pitbull mix) has shown zero signs that she is aware of anything going on with my body. I'm convinced she's such a princess that she cannot conceive of the fact that she could ever be dethroned.

Thanks again to everyone who gave ideas - and FX for y'all with the overprotective fur-babies. I can't even imagine how nerve-wracking that much be!

lest12 · May 2014

Ha, @rachel5130 - yes, it's the dog in my avatar and he too, is an Australian Shepherd. Technically a shepherd/lab mix (so no blue eyes and his hair is a little shorter!) but temperament wise, he is ALL Australian Shepherd... so, probably like your SIL's dog, he's protective of us, the house, people on the street... and I'm sure soon, the baby.

We have come up with a few routines (with trainers, with trial and error) that seem to work really well as far as guests at the house and strangers. I guess I can just expect to get back to those basics when we have the LO around.

I'm fine with it and don't mind, that's my job as his dog owner. I guess this person's comment annoyed the hell out of me because, well, nothing has happened yet and he was saying I might need to give my dog up. Uh, get out of my face.

lest12 · May 2014

Oh, and OP @RedMar - I hope I didn't stray from the original topic too much! I find it super helpful to read about the introductions too, I get a little nervous and want it to go perfect!

It just seemed relevant enough to ask about it here. Hope you don't mind or think I'm a thread hijacker!

RedMar · May 2014

@lest12‌ - Haha not at all! I've enjoyed reading all of these posts. In the same family of your Aus Shephard, I have a Border Collie who used to be very protective of me, but now she's got the hint that DH is here to stay

. I'm reallllllly curious as to how she'll be around LO. One thing that has me concerned about her is she has the instinct to herd things. She has "nosed" my nephew who was crawling around on the floor and used to do it to me when she was a puppy. I'm thinking she'll have a long period to adjust before LO starts crawling (FX).

Taymiller · May 2014

I know I might sound a bit crazy but Tutka is my fur baby and I don't want her to be sad when the baby comes. We are trying to get her used to all the baby stuff now (the pic is her in the car with the car seat, she was a little peeved that half her back seat was taken). And we are keeping our routine with her the same after the baby comes. She barks when DH and I hug or when we pet the cats so I am sure she will bark when we hold the baby. Ugh this is my biggest stress point right now, I just want them to be buddies!

lest12 · May 2014

Oh, I dont even know how it didn't occur to me that Buddy might eventually be trying to herd the baby! He has the natural instinct, too.

deepoceanmama · May 2014

Love all the stuff here! One thing I have heard a few times that hasn't been posted here yet: when you let your dog sniff the baby, offer his/her feet to be sniffed (NOT the head). Just something I never thought of and wanted to pass along!

lest12 · May 2014

@Rachel5130 said:
@lest12‌ - I seriously want to punch people who assume that when someone has a baby, the pets must go simply because they are pets.

I think it's @jshrop‌ that says, don't give your dog a chance to disappoint you. Which is so true! But that doesn't mean you get rid of them. Idiots. I would eye roll at them, too.

I agree that this is great advice! And you know I feel you on people saying you'll need to get rid of pets!

RedMar · May 2014

@Taymiller‌ - wow she does look pissed haha. It'll definitely be an adjustment for everyone. All that goes through my mind is Lady and the Tramp and how Lady didn't think she'd be wanted anymore after the baby came so decided to run away

Taymiller · May 2014

@RedMar - yes that exactly, I don't want her to feel like Lady

I am sure I am over thinking all of this and I am sure it will be fine.

SarahSmile01 · May 2014

@lest12‌ sounds like plenty of people have already answered this, and each dog is different, but when I was born my folks had a yellow lab that was their baby and he immediately ditched them and became my ultimate protector. He slept under my crib and as I grew, at the foot of my bed. He would growl at my dad (or anyone) when we wrestled or he would tickle me. But a protective dog has it's upsides. We have an actual video of me at 3 and my mom is teaching me how to swim. She's in the pool with me and asks me to swim across the length of the pool to my dad. Granted , It looks like I'm struggling as I doggy paddle and splash my way over to him. I'm only about 1/4 of the way there when my lab jumped in, swam over to me, grabs the back of my bathing suit straps with his mouth and drags me to the steps at shallow end. He also used to help me find Easter eggs each Easter and would gently pick them up and run over to me placing them in my Easter basket. Dogs are incredible!

Now as an adult I have a mini schnauzer who is beyond spoiled and a Pharaoh Hound who is loving but huge and clumsy and has a slight obsession with licking babies to death (out of love of course) but she has trouble with boundaries. Hoping it all falls in to place when LO
arrives. Guess you just never know till it happens.

lest12 · May 2014

@SarahSmile01‌ - the image of your pup "saving" you while swimming is adorable!

RedMar · May 2014

@SarahSmile01‌ - I always wanted a dog like this growing up but didn't get my first one til I was ~11

ChristineBaker23 · May 2014

I have three dogs in three varieties. I only had two, a weenie dog and a... Some sort of terrier/hobo mix that we picked up for free when I was in 6th grade when I had my first daughter. The hobo was very protective of me while I was pregnant and even charged a few people (he was on a leash thankfully) but couldn't care less when baby arrived. He has not been protective at all this pregnancy but he did start following me around with a concerned look on his face yesterday, wonder if I'll go into labor soon. We just kept their schedule as normal as possible and I think that was the best tactic for us. They stayed at the apartment while I was in the hospital and family members took turns going and taking them out, feeding them etc. when we brought baby home we just came home like we normally would, nothing special. Walked in the house then my husband took them to potty like we do every time we get home and then they came back in. Both dogs got in a big sniff but overall didn't care at all. When daughter was about one we got a chihuahua and he is the only dog that even cares about her haha. Ironic because they say chihuahuas are bad with kids. He runs to say hi to her when she wakes up and curls up in her lap when they ride in the car together.
We have the same plan for this baby. Have family go let them out and play while we are in the hospital and then just show up at home with a baby. I feel like if you don't get stressed or anxious about them meeting then the dogs won't be anxious or stressed. I believe if you introduce baby to the home with a "this is our life now, no big deal" attitude the dog(s) will follow suit.

ChristineBaker23 · May 2014

I forgot I wanted to add pictures of my motley crew:

fsumom · May 2014

I'm nervous about this. Dh and DD begged for a puppy right before we found out I was expecting back in September. Then DH felt said dog (not worried about her at all) needed a friend and he went out and adopted another puppy after I said we were not getting another dog. The second puppy isn't necessarily jealous but she is scared of anyone she doesn't know and barks/growls at them. She has greatly improved in the 6 months we've had her but I'm still worried.

jshrop · May 2014

@deepoceanmama‌ Aleays let the dogs snuff the butts (even when introducing new dogs) weird but it's where the scent is strongest I guess.

@ChristineBaker23‌ I'm sorry, I keep reading 6th grade when I had my first daughter too. Is this a punctuation thing or were you really in 6th grade? I have a cousin who was 13 and pregnant and I was just wondering (aka being nosy lol)

ChristineBaker23 · May 2014

jshrop said:

@ChristineBaker23‌ I'm sorry, I keep reading 6th grade when I had my first daughter too. Is this a punctuation thing or were you really in 6th grade? I have a cousin who was 13 and pregnant and I was just wondering (aka being nosy lol)

Bahahahhaha. It's a punctuation error on my part (pregnancy brain) I had two dogs when I had my first daughter, one dog I got while I was in sixth grade. Which was 6 or 7 years before I had my daughter lol. I didn't even get my period till eighth grade...

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