Dog Training

Re: Dog Training

• EmilyE13 member

  May 2022

  First, you need to post pics of the dogs because I adore GSDs. 🥰 I think we had a topic on this awhile back but I can’t remember which thread. 

  
  

  TTM here. I have a pit mix who has been there for both my previous babies coming home, and we added a Rottweiler puppy to the party when my youngest was about 8 months old because we apparently love chaos. We did not do any specific training but I read as much as I could. Before she met either baby, we gave her something from the hospital (blanket or something) that smelled like them so she could inspect it. For her it was love at first sight with both girls. She lives for them. Our rottie adores them too but is still a puppy himself (with zero concept of his size), so we will just make sure he doesn’t try to lay on the baby (he expresses love by draping himself all over you) or anything. 

  
  

  We plan to do the same “smell” thing for baby #3. GSDs are devoted to their families, so my money is on it going great. 

  
  

  As time goes on, just make sure the dogs have a “safe space” they can escape from grabby toddlers, and ensure you’re always supervising hangout time in case the toddler grabs and ear or tail or something. 

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• krysnicole1022 member

  May 2022

  I second the safe space! Our dog was raised around kids but was never a big kid person. She stayed near them as babies and in the yard but she wasn't ever big into them exactly. They of course loved her. We just taught them her cues that she wanted to be left alone. They always had food so she was always following them. I can't recommend the book "Tails are Not For Pulling" enough. Three kids and not a single one has ever pulled a tail of one of our animals. It talks about pets cues and warning signs that they want to be left alone. Make sure they have a private space to eat because no dog likes being bothered when it's feeding time. Just take it slow. My sister has a German shepherd and he is the most gigantic fraidy pup I've ever met. He bonded with her oldest immediately and they are inseparable. He's basically become her emotional support animal. He was also very close to my sister while pregnant. My dog became very protective of me with each of my pregnancies. Not aggressive but would stand between me and unknown people. 
   We did the smell stuff. I honestly don't think it made a difference for my dog. She was more excited to see me than the bundle in the car seat. We kept the baby in the car seat and greeted the dog for awhile and then let her find the baby when she was ready. Our cats were more intrigued than the dog until she started eating snacks. Haha

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• rachelly12 member

  May 2022

  Check out @dogmeets_baby on Instagram! She has tons of helpful, free info!

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• pangolindrome member

  May 2022

  Play some baby crying noises and see what your dog does. My in-laws are doing it to desensitize their dog as he is a delicate, neurotic little flower of a goldendoodle, but our GSD/husky girl didn’t bat an eye when I played some for her. She sniffed my phone and went on her way. I just did it again and she is napping, and she barely opened her eyes.
  I think our girl will be an amazing big sister but I am definitely also interested in this thread!

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• slive13 member

  May 2022

  @dogmeets_baby is so great!!! We are doing it now with our Belgian Malinois. 

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• justtaylor member

  May 2022

  I didn’t do much in preparation however I allowed my dog as much of his own space as he needed or wanted. He wasn’t too keen on the baby, or tiny human, now that my first is 3 he has finally come around the playing with him, however, I always allowed the dog to come and go around the kids as he felt was best. He is very smart but a bit standoffish and skittish but has never shown aggression of any kind so this method of him having space worked for him 

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