Swings, rock'n'plays, bouncers, and large dogs

pblge · January 2015

(Tried a search for this, and I found lots of threads on the general but not specific topic. Apologies if this has been discussed already.)

We want to get at least one thing from this family of items, although I know babies have an innate preference for one thing or the other, and you can't really predict which one they'll like. My concern is that some of them look small and unstable, and might be knocked over by a playful pup (we have one dog that is about 85-90 lbs, and possible another of similar size--long story).

Has anyone had trouble with these and their dogs? Or is there one of the options that seems more stable and impervious to a frolicking pup? TIA for advice!

CivilMommy · January 2015

With a large dog, I'd feel most comfortable with a full size swing that has a wide frame/stance (like the FP snug-a-puppy or the graco one).

I would be afraid of a rock-n-play but to be fair, I don't own one of those, so I don't know how stable they are in reality.

mhickey426 · January 2015

I have a boxer who is 90-100lbs. I bought a full sized swing with a wide frame for this reason. Boxers can be hyper and clumsy which is why I went with the full sized type. I also wanted her to be further off the floor then some of the sleeker models offer. I went with a graco and it worked out great. She loved it and it was nice and sturdy. She also had a bouncy seat but didn't use that too often around the dog. He is really good with kids though. He would occasionally go over and "check" on her. Once in a while rest his head on her in the swing which would stop it but it always started right back up. I think the biggest problem was that he would occasionally get knocked in the head by the swing if he wasn't paying attention or trying to smell her.

crichter18 · January 2015

I'd definitely go with a full swing to be safe. MOST babies love it, and it can't be knocked over. That was my concern when the rock and play came out so I never bought one. It doesn't look stable enough to trust my dogs around it. I've always had a swing and a bouncer though. A bouncer is more portable.

emarsh0415 · January 2015

I think that a full size swing / pack-and-play would be the best option. That's what were going with, as we also have 2 large, sweet, but rambunctious dogs. My sister has the rock-and-play and while it's a great little seat, perfect for naps, it wouldn't be something I would be comfortable with, unless the dogs were closed off in another room.

RSupry · January 2015

We have 2 dogs around 70 pounds. We had both the bouncy seat (which my first wasn't really into) and a swing. The swing was great except my dogs did occasionally get whacked by it.

miracle4x · January 2015

A bouncer should be fine, since they usually sit low to the floor and are pretty stable. That's all I plan on using for my 4th baby, I think. I highly recommend bouncers because you can have the baby with you while you shower and stuff, and it's easy to carry around the house. I don't care for swings since babies get so used to falling asleep in them and then won't sleep in the crib.

However, maybe you don't want your baby that close to the floor with a dog around.

hillbillywife · January 2015

I have a 100lb lab mix and a mini dachshund. When my DS was born we lived in a small trailer. We had a swing/vibrating seat that sat very low to the ground and never had any issues with either of the dogs considering how small of a space we lived in.

PinkDahLia44 · January 2015

We had a swing and a rock-n-play with a rambunctious 60 lb dog. Neither was a problem, but to be fair, you shouldn't leave your baby unattended with a dog OR unattended in the rock-n-play, so you can really avoid any potential problems just by being present.

kerimontanye · January 2015

I have an 80 lbs coonhound and was concerned. But rambunctious or not, he never went crazy around the baby or would wait till they were moved somewhere else to play around. Once baby started walking though, they would accidentally knock them down.

stephrob88 · January 2015

FTM so I have no experience with these things but I would think that lower to the ground could be a good thing if in some case baby did get nocked around by dog the distance to fall would be less. Just a thought..

Ginja85 · January 2015

While my dog isn't big, he is a bull in a China shop. I bought the auto RnP and set it up with a crying video playing on my phone to see how my dog would react. He jumped up on it from the side & it moved a few inches across the tile floors but, didn't collapse or anything. I feel safe using it around him.

Testing the swing was a different ball game. He actually tried to jump in, so no swing in our house.

Pack n Play isn't a huge concern. Had to put him in one after he injured his back & he gives me the stink eye when I go to the closest where its stored.

My dog is 37lbs. I'd really suggest testing things out to see what your dog/s think. I've been playing YouTube videos of crying babies on my phone just to get him comfy with the sound & really suggest placing the phone in any item you're testing.

boxermamahm · January 2015

@mhickey426‌ I would love to hear any advice you have on transitioning your boxer to a new baby! My boxer boy is 1.5 and can be super hyper. We installed a tall gate to keep him secured in the kitchen as needed, but I want to integrate him to life with baby s much as possible-- while keeping baby's safety as first priority, of course. I know complete supervision is the name of the game but any advice on smoothing the transition is super appreciated! (Was your boxer extra attentive and emotional with you during pregnancy? Mine has always been a mamas boy but he's taking it to another level as my belly grows!!)

Scarlettg · January 2015

FTM here, so take this as you will, but could you set up the swing/whatever now and teach your dog to leave it alone? Our lab is pretty good about the "leave" command, especially when he gets it repeatedly in relation to one item (i. e. tell him to leave the sofa cushion three or four times and you won't have to tell him again). I would definitely get a larger-framed piece (that's what we did, too) and I would never trust the dog with the baby unsupervised, but maybe if your pup gets used to the stuff now, sans baby, it will be easier later? Just a thought.

pblge · January 2015

We'll definitely be training the dog(s) and getting them used to anything we bring home, but, of course, even the best trained dogs have moments of disobedience/freak-outs (it only takes a split second for an accident to happen), which is why we're looking for safe and sturdy options in this family of products. Our current dog is a greyhound (and the second would be, too, if that happens), so there's no way we could beat him across the room if something were about to happen. They accelerate almost as fast as cheetahs.

The low to the ground, just in case, point is pretty compelling! @stephrob88

@Ginga85 - Tried a couple of youtube videos of babies crying after I read your post. No response!

JaneShops · January 2015

Aw, greyhounds

Megispreg · January 2015

I LOVED the RnP with DD. We have a big boxer mix, and never had any stability issues. I liked that she was up a little higher so she wouldn't get licked in the face.

I know not every dog will be the same, but mine was fantastic with the baby and all her gear from the very beginning. She just innately knew to be gentle. They are BFFs now. I hope that is a comfort to all the worried dog moms, because I remember being really anxious about it too.

mhickey426 · January 2015

boxermamahm said:

@mhickey426‌ I would love to hear any advice you have on transitioning your boxer to a new baby! My boxer boy is 1.5 and can be super hyper. We installed a tall gate to keep him secured in the kitchen as needed, but I want to integrate him to life with baby s much as possible-- while keeping baby's safety as first priority, of course. I know complete supervision is the name of the game but any advice on smoothing the transition is super appreciated! (Was your boxer extra attentive and emotional with you during pregnancy? Mine has always been a mamas boy but he's taking it to another level as my belly grows!!)

@boxermamahm My dog was about 2 when my dd was born. He was incredibly hyper like over the top. We tried obedience classes and at one point didn't know if he was going to make it with us. BUT 4 years later here we are and going strong. Even when he was at his "worst" he was alwaysss gentle with kids. It is an awesome breed to have with children. We were a little nervous at how he would act with her but surprisingly he was really good.

At first he didn't like when she would cry. Idk if it hurt his ears or scared him but it took a few days and he got over it. We would never yell at him to get away (especially in the beginning). We would tell him "easy" and "good boy" when he would smell her or lick her. We didn't try and change things to much on him because we were afraid that would completely upset him and make him resentful to the baby (they are stubborn dogs). When she started walking and crawling he separated them a little more but not so much in the beginning.

Having a boxer you know how very strong they are. My dog will destroy those supposed indestructible toys in under 5mins. My dh brought home my dd's hat from the hospital for our dog to learn the baby's smell. The dog still had the hat when we moved this April. He never tore it up or destroyed it. He would randomly pull it out of his basket and lay on it. I think he thinks the baby is his which helped.

My dh was always #1 with out dog. It took him a while (both pregnancies) to show me more attention. I don't know if it is a male thing or he just didn't care or just didn't realize. He is now checking on me a lot more and constantly smelling me. The smelling I can do without because of the darn drool haha. They are now like brother and sister. She can do whatever she wants to him and he doesn't care. She will be a brat and hit him and he just stands there. When we correct her he will get in between us and growl as in "leave my sister along"

Have patience and give it time. That is my best advice.

boxermamahm · January 2015

@mhickey426 I’m going to blame hormones but your response left me in (happy) tears! I love the pictures. So adorable!

I’m so happy to hear your boxer took so well to your daughter. I actually was first acquainted with boxers when I was a nanny in college for a family who had two, and both dogs were amazing with the children. My boy has been around children a little bit and he surprised me at how he seemed to just know to be more gentle than normal. (Still rambunctious, but from a dog that almost knocks some adults over when he jumps excitedly at their arrival, I was impressed at his restraint! We are working on the jumping…) My friend brought her infant over once as well recently, and he was VERY interested. We let him sniff her and lick her feet. He did get very clingy to me when I held the baby, insisting that both he and the baby could sit on my lap at the same time while I fed her. I’m sure he will be that way when we bring our baby home, too, but we will try to accommodate that because I don’t want him to get too jealous. I want him to still feel loved, and to grow to love the baby too.

We will definitely bring home a blanket or hat that baby wore so Hank can get acquainted with the smell. I’m also planning on having my DH- who works from home and will be a SAHD after my maternity leave, so will definitely be around to help—exercise him hard. An exhausted boxer is always a much better behaved one, in my experience.

I’m also going to stock up on some of his favorite toys and bones to distract him when we need him to not be in baby’s face/licking her feet. I pray the adjustment goes well, because this dog is like my firstborn to me!

mhickey426 · January 2015

boxermamahm said:

@mhickey426 I’m going to blame hormones but your response left me in (happy) tears! I love the pictures. So adorable! I’m so happy to hear your boxer took so well to your daughter. I actually was first acquainted with boxers when I was a nanny in college for a family who had two, and both dogs were amazing with the children. My boy has been around children a little bit and he surprised me at how he seemed to just know to be more gentle than normal. (Still rambunctious, but from a dog that almost knocks some adults over when he jumps excitedly at their arrival, I was impressed at his restraint! We are working on the jumping…) My friend brought her infant over once as well recently, and he was VERY interested. We let him sniff her and lick her feet. He did get very clingy to me when I held the baby, insisting that both he and the baby could sit on my lap at the same time while I fed her. I’m sure he will be that way when we bring our baby home, too, but we will try to accommodate that because I don’t want him to get too jealous. I want him to still feel loved, and to grow to love the baby too. We will definitely bring home a blanket or hat that baby wore so Hank can get acquainted with the smell. I’m also planning on having my DH- who works from home and will be a SAHD after my maternity leave, so will definitely be around to help—exercise him hard. An exhausted boxer is always a much better behaved one, in my experience. I’m also going to stock up on some of his favorite toys and bones to distract him when we need him to not be in baby’s face/licking her feet. I pray the adjustment goes well, because this dog is like my firstborn to me!

Im sure things will be great. Boxers are great dogs but exhausting haha. That boxer "wiggle" can take down a grown man. You will love the relationship they have.

jesslfar · January 2015

My dog is 90 pounds and was still very much a puppy when we brought our oldest home. We never had any issue with the rock n play, swing, mini swing, bouncer, doorway bouncer, jumperoo. He was confused by the swing and did get hit by it a lot before learning to move, same goes with doorway bouncer, but he never knocked any of them over because they have a very wide base. If you are worried about it, use them on carpet and as long as you are following the directions for use and are not doing something unsafe like putting a bouncer on any surface but the floor, the distance the baby could fall has been taken into account by the manufacturer and should be perfectly safe for the baby. People get into trouble when they set things on elevated surfaces not intended for the gear, not usually with something on the floor. Older kids knock into things as well and adults trip over bouncers etc and the kids are fine.

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Swings, rock'n'plays, bouncers, and large dogs

Re: Swings, rock'n'plays, bouncers, and large dogs

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DD 7/2010, DS 3/2012, #3 due 4/24/2015

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