Dogs in room???

[AML0212]

This might be a funny question - we have two dogs. Approx 25lbs and 40lbs. The dogs currently sleep in our bedroom. Not on the bed, but on the floor in their own beds. My husband and I will be having the baby in our bedroom for a  while (we only have a one bedroom place, so until we move baby won't have a nursery). The dogs do  shed somewhat. They will occasionally put their paws on the bed to look onto the bed. I'm wondering if it's 'unhealthy' to have the dogs in the bedroom when baby gets here (with the dog hair and such). I'm wondering if I should kick them out and have them sleep somewhere else and quit allowing them in the room (they are in our bedroom probably 75% of the day at least - not just at night). What do you all think? Where do your dogs sleep and are you changing doggie routine for baby?

[dreeee11]

I would make sure you dogs are aware of the New addition coming soon. If they have bad behaviours youll want to get that trained out of them beforehand to insure a smooth transition of bringing your baby home. If you dont crate them already I would look into that, it will give them there "safe place" and a place you can keep them while your baby is in your room or if you need to put them in there during the day or during feedings. They aren't snall dogs, they probably take up a bit of space, and you dont want a dog too close to a new born because the baby has no developed a strong immune system to fight off any bacteria from the dogs mouth if they like to give kisses. Personally I think its gross to let a dog give kisses to anyone, I wouldn't want it around my baby, especially when they cant do anything about it. Youll probably be getting up several times a night for the first month or so, they will probably be confused with the new schedule as it is, and you dont want to trip on them in the middle of the night. Dont let your dogs be too close to the baby and dont leave your dogs alone with your baby. Get your dogs in a good consistent routine of feeding, exercising, and down time. That will help them adjust to when your baby is here and you wont have all time to focus on them.

[dreeee11]

Also: if you don't get your dogs used to a routine and introduce them into New smells youll have a harder time dealing with jealously problems which can lead to aggressive behaviors and bad behaviours in general. Don't make more work for yourself than you have to. We have two very small dogs and they are spoiled to ****. They arent allowed to sleep on the bed or in our bedroom, and they sure wont be able to when our baby arrrives. Dogs thrive and love leadership and consistency, you will not be making them "sad" or "depressed" when you kick them out of your room. your baby comes first, its just the way it is. Either they will transition well or they wont, it all depends on their behaviors now.

[morgy_mak]

I have a dog hes 40-45kgs and my baby loves him to bits. I don't believe in crating dogs and also think jealously happens because you change to much of the dogs routine. if they don't sleep in your room at night I don't see the problem just make sure when baby comes your dogs get to be apart of it and get extra attention when babies asleep :) your going to get alot if different answers for this one lol. only you know what you're comfortable with and what suits your whanau (family) all the best x

[th986]

I would move them to sleep elsewhere but before the baby is born (sooner the better) so you don't get to much jealousy issues.When my little sister was born and came home our dog didn't eat or move for three days. The vet asked if someone died in the family and then we realized what was going on. :)
Good luck! :)

[Dandi_2014]

Make your hubby brush the dogs more regulary to minimize shedding and vacuuming the room..
As for keeping them in the room, I think you know your dogs best and just go with what makes you more comfortable..
Plenty, and I mean plenty, have pets and don't change much when having kids and it's fine..
I think it's quite rare for a pet to cause serious injury or death to a baby..
But it all depends on the pet, and nobody knows your pet like you do :)

We have a cat and we are not planning to change anything.. we are very doubtful she will try to sleep with the baby as it will be summer and hot and our cat usually prefers the tub or sink for sleeping during that time :)

Good luck with your doggies! :)

[AML0212]

Thanks for the input, ladies. I agree, dreeee11 - I will not be letting the dogs come too close to the baby,  and especially will not be allowing them to get close enough to lick him (gross). I am far too concerned about my son's health. I think I will be moving them somewhere else in the house. I'm due in early January, so I'm hoping that's plenty of time to get them used to sleeping elsewhere. Other than that, my dogs do have a pretty regular routine, so we're good there.