Aa
dog at home with baby
well my fiance has been bringing this up a lot lately and its time i looked around for some answers...we currently have a 6 year old chow/mix living with us...she is a very scared dog and most of the time hides in the bedroom when people are over...we rescued her 3 years ago and i cant bear the thought of getting rid of her
my fiance is terrified that she will attack the baby....i honestly dont know what to say...i thought about seperating the dog and baby but my 6 year old son is attached to the dog...
im just looking for people's advice on bringing baby home to dog....how did you do it? what do you suggest we try? im also concerned for when the baby starts crawling and walking...
any advice on this topic is welcome...he is very worried about this and talking about getting rid of the dog to avoid it :(
my fiance is terrified that she will attack the baby....i honestly dont know what to say...i thought about seperating the dog and baby but my 6 year old son is attached to the dog...
im just looking for people's advice on bringing baby home to dog....how did you do it? what do you suggest we try? im also concerned for when the baby starts crawling and walking...
any advice on this topic is welcome...he is very worried about this and talking about getting rid of the dog to avoid it :(
hi, didn't read through all responses but thought i would tell you what we did, the very first blanket lily was wrapped up in at the hospital my dh took home to our dog, who is now 6, to get him used to Lilys scent, i assume it would also have mine on it too. From that point on he has slept with her blanket. He is pretty much with Lily all day every day and if she goes somewhere he does too, he is a mini shnouser cross and can be a little sook, he also sleeps in our bedroom and when lily first came home he went through a phase that in the middle of the night he would just jump up on our bed to make sure she was ok and then hop down again. I think your dog will be fine, you just have to keep an eye on it.
thank you everybody for the great advice...im not worried about the dog...i brought my son home 6 years ago to 2 rotties and they took to him instantly....my fiance did not grow up with dogs and this is his first dog so he is worried about everything
i at least now can show hiim this thread to help put his mind at ease
i refuse to get rid of a dog because a baby is coming...its not fair to the dog and i wont allow it
i at least now can show hiim this thread to help put his mind at ease
i refuse to get rid of a dog because a baby is coming...its not fair to the dog and i wont allow it
We have a german shephard/saint bernard mix and unfortunatley i believe we will have to give him up. He is only 2 but unfortunately we could not take the aggressive out of him. He is very protective of us and can only imagine how he would treat anyone that tried to get close to or pick up the baby. He has sent two people to the hospital and I wil not risk the baby's safety. It is unfortunate because we in no way trained him this way, he just has those instincts. My BF is very against getting rid of him and thinks he will be great around the baby, I am worried because i do not want to risk anything and he thinks everything will be fine. I am actually contemplating moving back with my mother wen the baby arrives thats how worried I am. i hope everything works out with your dog however. i know how heartbreaking it can be to lose a family member.
Some dogs have no problem adjusting to new babies. The lady I babysat for growing up had one baby when I started and over the years had 3 more kids and she had a german shepherd mix that was great with her kids. Never had a problem bringing home the new baby.
I have two dogs a pit/boxer mix that I have no worries about he's great with kids and very friendly with everyone. My miniature Pincher which both have been at my dads house since I moved to our apartment it's a NO DOGS allowed complex. She is not a friendly dog to kids. Never has been. She was tormented by my little cousins before I got her. She bit my brothers friends son when he was 3 because my brother let her out of her kennel while he was there. I am terrified of bringing my baby to my dads, I will have to have her locked up in the kennel when I'm visiting. She has been more my dads dog even before I moved out. I call her and she jumps in my dads lap. Since I became pregnant she's more attached to me. I know dogs have that sense and can tell somethings different. She wont leave my lap the whole time I'm at my dads now. I will NEVER leave my baby alone around her I know that.
I have two dogs a pit/boxer mix that I have no worries about he's great with kids and very friendly with everyone. My miniature Pincher which both have been at my dads house since I moved to our apartment it's a NO DOGS allowed complex. She is not a friendly dog to kids. Never has been. She was tormented by my little cousins before I got her. She bit my brothers friends son when he was 3 because my brother let her out of her kennel while he was there. I am terrified of bringing my baby to my dads, I will have to have her locked up in the kennel when I'm visiting. She has been more my dads dog even before I moved out. I call her and she jumps in my dads lap. Since I became pregnant she's more attached to me. I know dogs have that sense and can tell somethings different. She wont leave my lap the whole time I'm at my dads now. I will NEVER leave my baby alone around her I know that.
We have 2 lab crosses and one we rescued from a shelter as well. She is very skiddish. Pretty terrified of everyone until she gets to know you. She doesn't care for kids at all. She will bark or growl to let you know if she doesn't want you around her (especially children). We too were concerned when I was prego with our first DD. To our surprise she was GREAT with the baby. She won't allow Anika to sit on her or really play around her if she feels threatened but will let Anika pet her and loves to play with Anika and a stick outside. You never know....your dog may just surprise you. Good luck!
I think ripping the dog out of your 6 year old life would come to haunt you in the future and could lead to issues... trust me on this one. I cant give you advice on the baby but that 6year old is cant rationalize why HIS dog is being taken from him. I hope you find some resolution, do you have a relative that will take the dog off you so that it "stays in the family" but just not at your house?
Best,
J
Best,
J
I found this on a website about Acclimating your Dog to your baby...
"Expecting" couples, which have pets, may suddenly find themselves the "victims" of poor advice, although well meaning, from friends and relatives as a new human baby looms on the horizon. Usually the poor dog is the loser and banished to the backyard like yesterday's garbage. What can or should you do to ease the turmoil you are about to experience?
If you already have a child, you wouldn't deliberately shun them, creating a lonely, rejected child, would you? (Let’s hope not!) Just like a older, human sibling, pets need to be introduced to the idea of a baby in the house and the desensitization should start as soon as you know of the pregnancy.
Cute as they are babies have an odor of their own and sometimes they stink! They bring the smell of urine and feces into the house with all those diapers, diaper pails and leaking diaper accidents. Since you've already been through that housetraining routine with the dog, all these new "stinky" odors may have your dog thinking, "Well, if he can do it, why not me?" You should think of introducing a faint urine smell occasionally. How to do that? With ammonia. Yes, good old household ammonia. Put some in the mop bucket and clean the kitchen floor, wait a day or two and then re-mop with clean, fresh water or with some alcohol to remove it. Or douse a rag with water diluted ammonia and wipe it on the dog's face every once in awhile. Be vigilant in making sure your dog's housetraining stays intact!
Once the baby arrives, have "Dad" take home some of the baby's clothes and rub the clothing all over the dog's head to "introduce" the new family member prior to the actual homecoming.
New baby sounds...gurgling, rattles, squeaks, etc...all these may be new and startling to your dog. You can get some rattles and baby toys a bit early and use them to desensitize the dog. Make sure you are NOT TEASING the dog with it! Just pick one up and rattle it while going about seemingly normal household chores.
If you have friends with babies, take a tape recorder over and get some real baby sounds, including screaming and crying, laughing and gurgling. As you would to desensitize them to loud noises, start by playing it low and increase the sound level over a couple of weeks.
What is that wiggling thing? Dogs with high prey drive or guarding instincts may alert on to small babies placed on the floor. Get yourself one of those dolls that simulate baby movements or crawling and place it on a pallet on the floor as you would a child. Stay close to the "baby" and correct inappropriate behavior in the dog. Do this often until you are sure the dog has grown accustomed to the sight and sounds. Remember, you have several months to let the dog adjust and to gauge his reactions.
Coming home with baby. Now it's time for the baby to appear on the scene. "Mom" has been at the hospital for a couple of days and "Dad" has been doing double duty both at the hospital and going home to care for the dog. Today is the day you go home. Who goes into the house first?
MOM! Without the baby - Dad can wait outside. The dog is going to be thrilled to see her, so rather than be bowled over by an enthusiastic dog when she steps in the door carrying Junior, she should greet and pet her "oldest child" first.
With a bit of planning, using all these steps should help make the transition a bit easier on all concerned. Just like an older child, the caring of the baby can be done by including the pet, too, even if you are just using their name, "Okay, Kimba, let's feed the baby" or "Time to change the baby" or "Let's check on the baby". You'd be surprised to know how fast a dog picks up on his new important job!
I havent tried it yet as we aren't due until December; however, if you use these ideas, let me know if they work!! Good luck!
"Expecting" couples, which have pets, may suddenly find themselves the "victims" of poor advice, although well meaning, from friends and relatives as a new human baby looms on the horizon. Usually the poor dog is the loser and banished to the backyard like yesterday's garbage. What can or should you do to ease the turmoil you are about to experience?
If you already have a child, you wouldn't deliberately shun them, creating a lonely, rejected child, would you? (Let’s hope not!) Just like a older, human sibling, pets need to be introduced to the idea of a baby in the house and the desensitization should start as soon as you know of the pregnancy.
Cute as they are babies have an odor of their own and sometimes they stink! They bring the smell of urine and feces into the house with all those diapers, diaper pails and leaking diaper accidents. Since you've already been through that housetraining routine with the dog, all these new "stinky" odors may have your dog thinking, "Well, if he can do it, why not me?" You should think of introducing a faint urine smell occasionally. How to do that? With ammonia. Yes, good old household ammonia. Put some in the mop bucket and clean the kitchen floor, wait a day or two and then re-mop with clean, fresh water or with some alcohol to remove it. Or douse a rag with water diluted ammonia and wipe it on the dog's face every once in awhile. Be vigilant in making sure your dog's housetraining stays intact!
Once the baby arrives, have "Dad" take home some of the baby's clothes and rub the clothing all over the dog's head to "introduce" the new family member prior to the actual homecoming.
New baby sounds...gurgling, rattles, squeaks, etc...all these may be new and startling to your dog. You can get some rattles and baby toys a bit early and use them to desensitize the dog. Make sure you are NOT TEASING the dog with it! Just pick one up and rattle it while going about seemingly normal household chores.
If you have friends with babies, take a tape recorder over and get some real baby sounds, including screaming and crying, laughing and gurgling. As you would to desensitize them to loud noises, start by playing it low and increase the sound level over a couple of weeks.
What is that wiggling thing? Dogs with high prey drive or guarding instincts may alert on to small babies placed on the floor. Get yourself one of those dolls that simulate baby movements or crawling and place it on a pallet on the floor as you would a child. Stay close to the "baby" and correct inappropriate behavior in the dog. Do this often until you are sure the dog has grown accustomed to the sight and sounds. Remember, you have several months to let the dog adjust and to gauge his reactions.
Coming home with baby. Now it's time for the baby to appear on the scene. "Mom" has been at the hospital for a couple of days and "Dad" has been doing double duty both at the hospital and going home to care for the dog. Today is the day you go home. Who goes into the house first?
MOM! Without the baby - Dad can wait outside. The dog is going to be thrilled to see her, so rather than be bowled over by an enthusiastic dog when she steps in the door carrying Junior, she should greet and pet her "oldest child" first.
With a bit of planning, using all these steps should help make the transition a bit easier on all concerned. Just like an older child, the caring of the baby can be done by including the pet, too, even if you are just using their name, "Okay, Kimba, let's feed the baby" or "Time to change the baby" or "Let's check on the baby". You'd be surprised to know how fast a dog picks up on his new important job!
I havent tried it yet as we aren't due until December; however, if you use these ideas, let me know if they work!! Good luck!
It must be worrying for you. You could try getting a doll before the baby arrives and putting baby clothes on it and using baby powder/lotions etc so that it gets used to the scent. Make sure he knows that he isnt allowed too close to the doll. Have him there while you are making a fuss of the doll and also use baby powder and lotions on yourself so that the dog gets used to the scent. Also if you can get like a little tape recorder or something with baby sounds like crying giggling etc put that in the moses basket or crib with the doll so that the dog gets used to the noises that a baby would make. That way when the baby comes he will be used to having a small thing around that mommy is always carrying and smells like. Remember never to leave your baby alone with the dog no matter how much they seem to be getting along. If you need any more answers just google it, theres a wealth of knowledge available on the net!
I have a german shepard (two mixed shephards) he weighs about 130 pounds, is very loyal and non aggressive (except of course when a squirl enters our backyard...lol). He is 8 years old and listens beautifully. He is OK when my neices and nephews are over. We just make sure we introduce them (they are 5, 2, and 6 months) and stay right next to the child. He usually wags his tail and sniffs them, and will stay in the spot we tell him to when they are in the house and around. Typically, he stays outside during the night (his choice...lol) and during the day when we are at work. He spends evenings inside with us and our cat watching TV after we take him on a long walk. I am not worried about him at all around our baby and think he will protect our child, just like he does us and our cat (who he accepted fine into our family when he was 3).
thanks everybody for the advice...im going to try the blanket thing to start with and also speak with her vet....she has calmed down since we got her from the shelter and as soon as my son is upset she is right by his side....i think she is going to be fine but i needed something to tell my fiance other then "i dont think that will happen"
i also will have to deal with a dog with a baby. hes a pug/beagle mix and is can be very stubborn (but good natured). he loves to steal things and i can see him already pulling socks off the baby :/ he's only 9 months i hope he really calms down in these next 4 months.
We are going to try to train him to be submissive to the baby and will probably also try the blanket thing (even though he steals blankets too). I think he already knows shes in my tummy because hes been a lot more protective of me, like when other dogs are around.
i dont really think that you should keep them seperated. this will probably just make your dog more frustrated and jealous.
We are going to try to train him to be submissive to the baby and will probably also try the blanket thing (even though he steals blankets too). I think he already knows shes in my tummy because hes been a lot more protective of me, like when other dogs are around.
i dont really think that you should keep them seperated. this will probably just make your dog more frustrated and jealous.
I think if your dog is used to your 6 year old then it may have a chance of bonding with your baby. Do the thing where you bring home a blanket with the baby's scent on it from the hospital before actually bringing the baby home. Then when the baby does come home..the dog will suspect someone new is joining you.
we got our pup (a germanshepher/husky mix) when our guys were....just over a year old and she is/was also VERY VERY skiddish. still is a bit. but she LOVES those boys. they yank on her ears, her tail, climb on her and the only time she "corrects" them is if they get to rough. which then she holds their arm in her mouth. (She doesn't bite..just holds it) or puts a paw on them.
my brother and sister in law have a big ol' husky mix (noboy really knows what exactly he is) and had him before my nephew was born. he was about 2 when jon went home and he's as gentle as ever with him.
my mom has 2 muts as well that were around mine and dh's twins when they were first born. chester (he's the grumpy "old man") just sat in his chair and ignored them. but lucky....he was their protector. he wouldn't even let my moms now exhusband near them.
i think it all depends on the dog. perhaps let her see the baby, sniff him, get used to him and if she's still weird and you don't trust her see if someone can take her until baby is older. once baby is older try to reintroduce them. see if she's better. if not...you can rehome her.
my brother and sister in law have a big ol' husky mix (noboy really knows what exactly he is) and had him before my nephew was born. he was about 2 when jon went home and he's as gentle as ever with him.
my mom has 2 muts as well that were around mine and dh's twins when they were first born. chester (he's the grumpy "old man") just sat in his chair and ignored them. but lucky....he was their protector. he wouldn't even let my moms now exhusband near them.
i think it all depends on the dog. perhaps let her see the baby, sniff him, get used to him and if she's still weird and you don't trust her see if someone can take her until baby is older. once baby is older try to reintroduce them. see if she's better. if not...you can rehome her.
I'm sorry, I understand your dilemma and chow mixes can be pretty unpredictable. We did it the opposite way...we brought home a golden retriever puppy when our daughter was about 5 months old, lol, but I just wanted to wish you good luck. Your dog's vet may have some advice...I worked for a vet and she used to get questions like this all the time. I don't remember exactly what she would recommend but I know that the people seemed satisfied with her advice...so try your vet. Maybe someone here can help...but good luck either way.
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