Baby on way and I own an Akita

[JenJen19]

Hi, So I have a baby on the way 16 weeks pregnant now can't wait!!!

I have an Akita (Diesel) who I have had for 2 years, he really is to me part of the family but I'm worried about will he change when a baby comes into our home.
Diesel is well trained by myself, listens and follows all commands and is genuinely a good dog, he is loving, playful and loyal
Diesel has never been aggressive, apart from if he feels that I or my family are being threatened (just the one incident about 10 months ago a man was running towards me, Diesel thought he was running at me and so he jumped and held him down on the floor 'no harm was done to the man was a little shaken') Diesel does make it known to new visitors at the house that he is here to protect, he does this through his strong stance and keeping close me at all times.
He has not been around many children, but a friend brought her newborn baby to my house once and Diesel just had a look to see what it was and then led down on the floor in front of the baby as if he was protecting her and just watched closely when the baby was handled but still kept a distance from the baby himself.

What are everyone's opinions, do I keep him and see how he is with the baby or do I re-house him before my baby is born???

 

[Babeonthego]

It's entirely your decision hun. Ur the only person who really knows him. When I had my DS who's now 2 and a half, we had a husky (diesel also funnily enough) he was just far too hyper and energetic that for the safety of cole we had to regime him. Another thing I couldn't deal with was the dog hairs near cole. Even though I was constantly hoovering I would find them on Coles clothes and everything. For me, yeh I do miss him but I definitely made the right decision to rehome him and it's something that I've never regretted x

 

[lewood88]

hey hun, i dont have an akita but i do have a bichon and she is brilliant with my daughter and my daughter is pritty rough i mean i trust her 100% id never get rid of her because she is truly apart of the family, i would hold fire though because your dog may shock you when LO is here i think giving up a dog is something you shouldnt rush into.

good luck xxx

 

[NinaAutumn]

My SIL has a huge Akita and had a baby 2wks ago. They've not had any problems, in fact she's calmer than she was. She did go a bit crazy when the baby farted loudly and went on patrol to find the mystery farter!

If he's well trained you shouldn't have any problems but you do have to feel 100% comfortable.

 

[Mjane84]

Akita's by nature are VERY protective, which I think you've figured out Seriously, they tend to be "one family" dogs, in that they bond immediately and have a hard time adjusting to a new family. They are extremely loyal. I have volunteered in an animal shelter, where Akitas came in, and they were always adopted quickly as they are beautiful dogs. We always made sure to let the new families know that they'd need a lot of patience. They can be aloof if they don't like you.

I am sure you've heard the story of Hachikō, the Japanese Akita who after his owner died, returned to their daily meeting spot every day for 9 years in the hopes of seeing him again. Makes me cry just typing it.

That said, I think Diesel, who has bonded with your family, will do the same with your LO. With any dog, you will want to keep an eye on them with the baby and not leave them unattended, but I have a feeling that your LO is going to grow up with a very loyal pal.

 

[elle86]

I was the baby in this situation! My mum used to breed and show Akitas - never had a problem.. Slow introductions and plenty of supervision - your dog will accept baby as apart of the family. I have heard it helps if you Let The dog smell the baby's blanket and become familiar with the scent

 

[October2013]

Agree with everyone else

 

[surprisedmama]

Many training facilities and some shelters offer prep classes for getting a dog ready for a new baby. Maybe see if that would be an option?

 

[JenJen19]

Oh wow thankyou for all the replies I definitely do not want to give up Diesel as he really is just like a best friend who's always there, I think I will keep him and slowly introduce him to the baby when the little one comes along and allow him to sniff items such as blankets I do personally think that he will be fine, it was what people was saying that was making me think like saying oh you shouldn't have dogs around children and the health visitor wouldn't be happy just things like that but I'm co confident that he will be fine it will just take him awhile to adjust that its not just me and my partner anymore,
I actually had Diesel before moving into my own home with my partner and he took to my partner straight away aswel

 

[CBF]

It's sounds like diesel will be protective of baby, not harmful. But that's my opinion! I'd keep him and see how it goes. Newborn babies aren't mobile or intimidating so he will likely just take baby on as an extension of u. I can just picture him sleeping outside of baby's bedroom door!

 

[lewood88]

all i would do is when the h/v comes just put him in another room but at the end of the day no one can tell you what to do with your dog xxx

 

[JenJen19]

I can just picture him sleeping outside of baby's bedroom door!

Haha yess I could picture that lol, at the moment he sleeps on the floor next to my bed, did buy him his own bed but no he wanted to stay in that spot next to me lol x

 

[embeth]

I would keep him and see how he gets on..like others have said you will probably find once he is used to the baby he will become very protective of him/her. i have a 7 month old lab who is as soft as anything, amazing with my very two heavy handed boys will still be watching him when bubs comes along just as he is so bouncy and heavy! xx

 

[lewood88]

I would keep him and see how he gets on..like others have said you will probably find once he is used to the baby he will become very protective of him/her. i have a 7 month old lab who is as soft as anything, amazing with my very two heavy handed boys will still be watching him when bubs comes along just as he is so bouncy and heavy! xx

My mom has a golden lab as you can see in my profile pic and she truly is amazing with my daughter lol she lets her climb all over her she is loving xx

 

[mac1979]

I have a good friend with an Akita. He was amazing when their babies first came home. Protective as well. I was tickling their son and the dog was right there making sure he was okay the entire time. I an sure your's will take to baby and they will be BFFs.

 

[Equreuil]

Based on your description of his reaction to your friend's baby... I would think he'd be fine with a new baby in the house. His initial reaction sounded, to me, to be a little wary, but that's better than aggressive. You might just want to go slow with introducing the two, so Diesel has time to adjust to the change. And obviously keep a close eye until you know for sure.

 

[Ali33]

I can understand your concern. I have 2 big 100 lb German Shepherds, also very protective. As long as your dog is well trained and knows the humans in the pack are above him your should be fine. My girls love my daughter and would protect her with their lives. My main worry is just their size lol.. Just remember constant supervision and never leave baby alone with the dog even for a second. I don't leave my 10 year old alone with them because at the end of the day they are still animals and you can't train out instinct. Akitas and even German Shepherds get a bad name because they are so protective but unlike other dogs with a bad name they will almost never turn on a member of their own pack.

 

[iluvmyfamily]

Of course it's your decision to make. My friend just had a baby boy and her dog is an Akita and part wolf. He's HUGE but he's sooo lovable. He lays down on the floor when the baby is in the bouncer and it seems like he's protecting him.

 

[MissChristal]

I think it should be fine As a pp said, Akita's are really protective. Just keep in mind that no matter how trained your dog is, you should never leave them unsupervised. I have 2 dogs myself

 

[Calibeachbum]

I have 2 staffies (pits) They both get along with kids great. Our friend has a 4 year old daughter and she rides them like a horse, piles blankets and jumps on top of them etc...typical kid stuff. When she sits down to watch tv they cuddle with her. We also have a few other friends with younger kids and they both do great. I would just wait until baby comes to see how he copes. Dogs know when there is an addition to the pack.