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September 2015 Moms
LoveLee85
member
My dog..
LoveLee85
member
any tips from experienced moms about rules to establish BEFORE baby comes that I might be over looking? Or, tips on how to introduce a dog to baby stuff/gear/the baby itself?
Background: Our dog does get to climb all over our couches, my DH started it and I lost that battle. I really don't want our dog on the couch, but how do I stop 3 years of being allowed on the couch? Our dog NEVER barks, and is very well behaved! She eats on command even!
My only other issue: she is a chicken! She is terrified of everything!! Mops, brooms, laundry baskets, plastic bags, balloons, and anything 'new'. I seriously don't want bringing baby home to be traumatic for her.
Any tips on how to ease her into this new chapter?! PS our dog LOVES babies and kids, so we are good there.
Background: Our dog does get to climb all over our couches, my DH started it and I lost that battle. I really don't want our dog on the couch, but how do I stop 3 years of being allowed on the couch? Our dog NEVER barks, and is very well behaved! She eats on command even!
My only other issue: she is a chicken! She is terrified of everything!! Mops, brooms, laundry baskets, plastic bags, balloons, and anything 'new'. I seriously don't want bringing baby home to be traumatic for her.
Any tips on how to ease her into this new chapter?! PS our dog LOVES babies and kids, so we are good there.
Re: My dog..
You could get couch covers specifically for pets if it's about her ruining the furniture.
Not sure about the fear part. Just something I'd naturally feel out in the moment and not force. Show her baby, let her sniff. I believe dogs sense pregnancy and she can probably smell your milk after birth so she'll probably "get it" even if she still acts fearful.
I guess I JUST realized it's not the dog...it's my DH!!!! HAHA I guess I need to have a chat with my DH about new rules.
But I'm still looking for solutions to make dogs not scared of 'things'?!?!
You can practice training the dog to stay out of the nursery - apparently claiming that space will show your pup the importance of your little one in the family. This is more for dogs that like to be alpha.
The stroller idea is fantastic! I'm going to try that as well.
I've been trying to get my pup to be less afraid of things. I find turning my back to the object and saying "thank you" has helped. Sort of like saying "yes there's a broom over there but I don't think it's a threat." My dog is a weird one and was afraid of a melon recently.
My dog is afraid of some things as well, namely storms but that isn't an object (we got her a Thundershirt for that). She doesn't like the vacuum for sure. I just don't give her special attention about it. I just calmly say "you're okay" and then act normal and do what I need to do. She's gotten to the point that she'll lay in the same room I'm vacuuming and just move to a new spot when it comes her way. She doesn't have to run and hide. If I make a big deal she wonders why and freaks.
I know a PP mentioned Cesar Milan. I seriously love his advice. We do the PSST thing as well (my husband at least does that, ha!). I wonder what he says about the fear stuff?!?!
https://pinterest.com/pin/A7tBagAQwAkCp0Vho0QAAAA/
I was clearing out the fridge and it fell on the floor. It hadn't been used, so It still had the wrapping on, but I left it there for a min or 2 as I had my hands full. Mia comes strolling in the kitchen and starts rooing at it, she was terrified and wouldn't come into the kitchen properly til I'd moved it lol. She's scared of her own shadow, bless her.....don't even get me started on the hoover lol.
I've read introducing baby smells works too. Like the baby talc etc, try putting some on a baby blanket so your little canine friend can get used to different smells. She'll know your pregnant as dogs pick up on the change of your scent (hormones) but she won't know your carrying a baby until you bring your LO home.
Mia was also allowed on the furniture and the bed for a while, we've nipped that in the bud now, she picked it up really quickly. Plus She's too bloody big ! And she moults like mad, so it's a def no no being on the furniture for us.
Good luck :-)
Our girl is very sweet, but has no idea how big she really is so I do worry about her accidentally hurting the baby. But I hope our baby boy and the pup will be best of friends.
The cat is another story. He will view the baby as one more minion and will sniff him and then leave him alone. I'm not concerned about the cat at all.
I always tell my DH I'm the Alpha because our dog listens to me, every time, the first try! He gets so annoyed. Hahaha But it's true! When I say something to her, I mean it. He's such a manly guy too, and he is such a push over for our fur baby girl. It's funny to watch them.
I woke up this AM snuggling our dog in bed?! Lol I think she just waited until my DH invited her up, then I'm already asleep and don't care! I'm going to get her a new dog bed and start the couch and bed stuff now, so she won't associate it with the baby!
Funny story: I mentioned her kennel is her 'safe zone' earlier....she's three years old, and no matter where we are in the house...if my DH and I start to fool around she walks to her kennel with her head down! It's so pathetic and hilarious. Sometime I moan just to see her be like ' dang it, not again!!!!'
But strict rules... And yes, it's hard at times.
The rules are:
No people bed ever ever ever! If he get on we take him off. Say bad dog etc.
No couch unless Duncan asks by sitting and only in a designated area indicated by a blanket. If he get on with out asking we take him off and make him sit and point him to the right spot (we gave him his favored corner to make it easier on him.)
Sit/down and stay no matter what happens! We can leave the room, throw toys at him, tornado may come through.... He has to stay.
And lots of LOVE!!!!
Next month we will introduce him to the stroller and how to walk next to it. We will make it like a job for him. He could carry the baby bottles or something in the beginning.
Lots of baby meeting outside/treats eating. And that has been fun because I meet a lot of new mommas.
And can't walk in to the baby's room unless he asks by sitting outside the door.
But I do recommend a dog trainer because he/she will show you how to do things properly and I feels like putting in $$ will make you follow through with all the hard work you put in. And start the training now. It takes time for a dog to learn something and too much at once can make a dog really nervous and lead to failure (and the dogs do know what failure is) and frustration (from you. )
Have fun!!
Also follow through till the end. You may nip the dog but make sure you stay there with your alpha energy until the dog surrenders fully and relaxes - sits/lays down, lick his nose, relaxes his ears, yawns, goes away, etc.