Another Pets and Babies Scenario

BookWorm1129 · August 2014

So... we have an 8 yr old dog who has been our only child since I brought her home. She is pretty set in her ways... Once she gets to know someone she is fine but that can take awhile. She isn't overly fond of children but then again hasn't spent a lot of consecutive time with them, either. I'm worried about how she will be when the baby is born. I hope she will just be able to get used to him/her. Any of you with pets have the same concerns? Or has anyone made this work? Any tricks or tips on how to get an older dog to tolerate a small child in the house?

jennjilljo · August 2014

My dog was 4 at the time but she was born with the attitude of a 12 yr dog. We sent a shirt or blanket off the baby home each day we were in the hospital, never left them alone together and were very firm with her about baby rules.

This worked for us but a vet might have better suggestions than a random dog owner. GL.

honeybee3133 · August 2014

My dog is very skittish and unsure of kids. When we had DS I was very nervous about how my dog would react so we did the same as previous poster and sent a blanket home for him to smell. When we brought DS home we introduced the two very slowly and made sure to still give our dog plenty of attention so he didn't feel like the baby was taking over. For the first few months we didn't allow our dog around the baby unless we were right there which gave us a chance to show him that the baby was now part of the family. Our DS is now 16 months old and they both love each other and cuddle constantly. My suggestion would be to watch your dog very closely, give him lots of attention and never get too comfortable with the baby and dog being together. I hope that helps a little.

firelizard83 · August 2014

In addition to all the great suggestions, there are things you can do even before the baby arrives. Make sure basic manners and commands are in place. Start thinking about how you want the dog to behave with baby in house and start prepping and shaping those behaviors now. You can also start playing baby sounds (crying, coos, etc) at various volumes and times a few months before birth so that part is not such a shock.

lulu4087 · August 2014

I had a dog rushed into my ER by grandma. They sent the babies hat home to introduce/let the dog smell it...and he promptly swallowed it whole. Got it up with some apomorphine/induced vomiting. Hopefully that wasn't a foreboding sign

kefttsc · August 2014

@lulu4087 that's hilarious. Having been a technician, then practice manager, now consultant my whole life, I've seen a lot of things barfed up with apomorphine, but not a baby hat!

Personally I have four high drive dogs. I'm on worried about when the babies are toddlers, as my boys especially (7, 3 and 2) love to chase and bark at passer by kids on skateboards/running/etc. I figure they will have plenty of time to get used to them as infants and as they become mobile and the rules will get set into place quickly. They are very disciplined and I don't expect this to be different.

PP said it best IMO. the biggest key is to have manners and obedience in place NOW.

bhjones1980 · August 2014

Our pup was 7 when DS arrived, VERY spoiled and VERY used to all the attention. He also was prone to being nervous around kids since he didnt have a lot of experience with them.

We just took it slow, let him get used to the baby on his own terms, if he seemed interested let him smell and kiss the baby, and also gave him lots of attention and kept his routine as normal as possible.

The good thing is the baby is very non-threatening for a while (until they can move on their own), but of course as soon as he could crawl and now walk it took another stage of getting the pup comfortable with that since now DS can initiate contact with the dog.

My advice is just let the dog go at their own pace, don't force anything, make sure once baby is mobile the dog feels like they have their own space and redirect the baby if he is making the dog uncomfortable.

bhjones1980 · August 2014

and here is a pic just for the awwwww factor!

nattysq · August 2014

There is this great article I read recently that uses a lot of the suggestions already made and more:

The article shared that a way to start to prepare your dog would be to start walking straight and if the dog gets under foot just keep going, not to kick it, but don't maneuver around the dog anymore.

Try and spend a little less dedicated time with the dog or have your partner give more attention and you less so they get used to you not being as present.

Alot, about the bringing blakets and clothes home ahead of time.

And the last point it made, which I know will go over VERY well with my dog was:

Take the same volume of food for the day and spread it out into 12 small snacks, the dog will think that the new arrival means something good for them and will associated the baby's arrival with positivity. Slowly cut back week by week to the regular number of meals you would give (in our house its two).

Hope this is helpful.

JNettie73 · August 2014

I have a cat who is exactly like that. It takes her a long time to warm up to new people. DH and I plan on doing the baby blanket thing to help her get used to the scent. I am sure she will be skittish at first especially when the baby cries. But I am not overly concerned about it. She isn't a cuddle cat and since becoming pregnant she has not left my side. She watches over me when I sleep and follows me room to room. It's adorable.

ahitzelb · August 2014

I just kept VERY close eye on my dog when she came around my son. Took awhile but she is good with him now. With any pet- NEVER leave them alone with small child- even if is just a trip into the next room to get something. Dogs are wild animals.

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