Pregnant ladies with dogs..

[zozarini]

Hi girlies,

Just wondered how you are feeling about bringing baby home when you have a dog?

I have a 3 year old German Shepherd who is a total sook of a dog. She is lovely and loves her family very much. She has tendencies to get jealous, that is the only negative I could say when it comes people. Not that she has ever done anything wrong being "Jealous" just like wanting the attention if say me and OH have a cuddle when i get in. She is trained and goes stops the attention seeking when I tell her.

As she hasnt been around any kids for a long period of time (Just at park and passing by on walks) I have no idea how she will react to us adding the baby as an addition. I am aware seeing kids play and run past is totally different to bringing in a new "pack" member. Anyone else feeling the same?

##please dont misunderstand the post. I am not concerned for my childs safety and would never leave it alone with my dog (Or any animal) we have a big house and I have gates up already as our dog is not allowed upstairs or in living area through the day, so there are boundaries set for my dog already. it is just going to be a new experience for us all and my dog will be made to still feel part of our family when the baby comes.

Just looking for other in the same boat or anyone that has been in the situation of brining their baby home to their dog? xx

xx

 

[TinySunshine]

read a really good suggestion somewhere, having the dog sniff and get used to your baby's baby-smell blanket whilst having nice attention and feeling comfortable, before meeting the new baby =) This way they're kinda half used to them, and will draw on good memories when they do x

 

[Geegees]

I think generally dogs are really good with babies, I think as long as she knows she's still loved an still a part of the family then she'll be just fine.
She sounds lovely!

 

[emzilouu]

I have 2 dogs to bring my baby home to, and my house isnt that big (just big enough for me, my OH and the dogs never mind a baby too) one of them is a border collie puppy and hes a very excited little chappy but my other is a 2 year old field spaniel whos good as gold. shes also jelous and craves attention im a bit worried about bringing my baby home to my collie cause of his hyperness but he will have to learn i suppose. im just going to let them both have a sniff of our new family member without getting too close obviously. hopefully he calms down or hes unfortunately going to have to go to another home which i dont want cause hes my little baby (until i give birth) but my little boys safety comes 1st x

 

[jessicatunnel]

I have two dogs also. Both labs. My female is super jealous and craves attention, so I'm a little worried about her. :/
My male is just wonderful. He is so good with babies, and is so relaxed, although he does have his hyper moments every now and then. I'm not worried about him being around the baby at all.
If my female lab can't calm down, unfortunately we're going to have to find a new home for her. She likes to jump up on you and paw at you and when you're on the couch and she's not getting enough attention she will jump on your lap without looking. That worries me because I'm sure I'm going to be holding LO in my lap a lot and I can't bear to think about Macy jumping on him because she wants attention. :/

 

[overcomer79]

I have a lab/chow mix. When we brought DS home, it wasn't too bad but hubby scolded him for being curious. He would sit and stare at the baby and hubby would jump on him because of his dad scaring him.

We always to this day keep his door closed to keep our pets out of his room but the dog took well to him.

Honestly I am more concerned about the second one as this will fill up our car and the dog won't get anymore rides.

Just keep your dog(s) involved and monitor them.

 

[zozarini]

Thanks ladies. glad I am not feeling alone.

I am 90% confident she will be great as just loves being with people and as long as we include her i would imagine she will accept baby.

Jessica - My Zoe used to be a jumper... I got a dog trainer down and he said if the dog goes to jump up..like when you tenter house..put your knee up.. the jump into the knee and bounce off. Zoe never does it to me now as she knows she will run into knee.. I tell people when coming in if she is going to jump up then put there knee up. They soon learn its unwelcomes behaviour. I dont look at Zoe when i come in until my coat is off and i am ready.. She sits waiting patiently for me to dive on her for a cuddle! xx

 

[esst]

This is my doggler, Kamy. She's coming up on ten years old and is such a good dog. She was a complete spazmonster when she was younger but she has settled in very nicely. She's been very good and though she hasn't really been around babies, she's very comfortable with toddlers and very gentle.

I do worry that she and DH's cat will get jealous of the baby, but I'm just hoping for the best and will keep an eye on them.

 

[PipSqueaker]

I have a German Shepherd as well, and quite honestly, I can't wait until she gets to meet baby. She is such a mommy-dog, and from what I've heard, most Shepherds are. As I'm sure you've heard, just take it slow and make sure your dog still gets attention while the baby's around and you should be just fine.

 

[NickyNack]

When I had my first, I had a german shepherd male who was about 2 at the time. He was very very very protective of me (to the point if anyone came too close he would growl, he would sleep at the end of my bed, and would always be "sentry" when I was home, sitting/lying at my feet) He was actually my mum & stepdads dog, and I lived with them as I was only 15 at the time. I was really worried as he was my furbaby and I didnt want him to feel left out or abandoned, as I loved him to death.

Anyway, when Charley was born and we came home from the hospital, he came straight over for a sniff and we let him, and then, to my utter shock, included her in his protection/love as well!! My mums theory was that as he knew she was part of me, and therefore was just as important.

Maybe your dog will surprise you, mines certainly did!

 

[zozarini]

Yes, I think the important thing is to keep them included as before, dont try to keep them away, which could cause resentment.
I think she will be fine but like anything it is always in my head as I know the dog wont get as much attention as she used to, its just baby will take up most of time. But hoping by letting her in the living room whilst we are with babyas normal and then when baby is sleeping give her "play time" then obviously she will still get her walks and I am hoping I will manage a pram and doggy on lead to take them both up the park walks.
She is used to sleeping in her bed down the stairs so night times will be fine.
xx

 

[Nits]

read a really good suggestion somewhere, having the dog sniff and get used to your baby's baby-smell blanket whilst having nice attention and feeling comfortable, before meeting the new baby =) This way they're kinda half used to them, and will draw on good memories when they do x

I heard this before as well. I've decided my husband will come home first and have the dog smell a blanket or something with Amy's smell and then maybe giver Rusty a doggy cookie or play with her or something.
She does crave attention, just like yours. When DH and I are cuddling, she wants to be right in the middle. Actually, she sleeps in bed with us and Dh cuddles with her instead of me
I think that as long as you try to keep things as normal as possible for your dog, you should be fine. Rusty will be allowed around baby, but not unsupervised.

She's also been super protective of me this pregnancy so far. She is glued to my leg and sometimes she even kisses my belly

 

[Arisa]

Yeah at my parents house where DH and I are staying we have two lovely little jack russels but the eldest one is a bit jealous and loves attention, especially my DH she follows him everywhere and he is good with her but once baby comes she wont have all the attention but in the past she has been good with babies, sniffing them and wagging her tail when we bring them into the lounge to show her so yeah dogs are usually very accepting and they will know by the smell of your LO that he/she is connected you and will not feel threatened, our dog is more threatened with other dogs or new dogs than humans, she loves humans

 

[HellBunny]

We have an 8 year old collie (he was 6 when we had J) and he has been brilliant with him, no jealous moments, he knows his place, right next to my feet keeping them warm lol

 

[mom and ttc]

Hi girlies,

Just wondered how you are feeling about bringing baby home when you have a dog?

I have a 3 year old German Shepherd who is a total sook of a dog. She is lovely and loves her family very much. She has tendencies to get jealous, that is the only negative I could say when it comes people. Not that she has ever done anything wrong being "Jealous" just like wanting the attention if say me and OH have a cuddle when i get in. She is trained and goes stops the attention seeking when I tell her.

As she hasnt been around any kids for a long period of time (Just at park and passing by on walks) I have no idea how she will react to us adding the baby as an addition. I am aware seeing kids play and run past is totally different to bringing in a new "pack" member. Anyone else feeling the same?

##please dont misunderstand the post. I am not concerned for my childs safety and would never leave it alone with my dog (Or any animal) we have a big house and I have gates up already as our dog is not allowed upstairs or in living area through the day, so there are boundaries set for my dog already. it is just going to be a new experience for us all and my dog will be made to still feel part of our family when the baby comes.

Just looking for other in the same boat or anyone that has been in the situation of brining their baby home to their dog? xx

xx

when i brought our daughter home i put her down to the dogs right away. so they cn sniff her. if not they will wonder what is being keot a secret and might jump up.
i have a jack russell and my parents terrier/schnauzer mix was there also. the dogs are perfectly fine with my dd. we got a lab(akita mix) whens he was 6 months old (lab was 4 months)
so we have a jack russell and a lab. i leave my daughter and the dogs alone. she has them under control, kisses, shares her food and loves her dogs. i trust our dogs 100% and they lay on the floor and watch movies together.

so just introduce the dogs to the baby right away! and show them the nursery and the baby stuff. my dogs (especilly the lab) are very protective about my dd

 

[Serenyx]

Well we have 4 dogs that we need to adjust to having a baby in the house. Our eldest (a girl) will be fine, she was brought up with children and loves them. I think our oldest boy will be a bit wary of the change but not in a bad way, he will just take himself off if he isn't comfortable. The second oldest boy wont like the screaming at first (as he is a bit noise sensitive, he doesn't like loud bangs and fireworks etc) but will soon become used to it and he will love a baby and the youngest is a very good boy, he won't want to be bothered but again he will take himself off somewhere if he wants to.

When we bring the baby home we are going to introduce them all individually - I am not having a baby surrounded by 4 large dogs, even when out walking I won't allow all of them to greet people/other dogs at once. I will probably have the bubba on my lap on the sofa and then they can each come over for a sniff. we are planning on DH bringing home a blanket that smells of the bubba so that they can each have a sniff and become familiar with the smell before I come home.

They will never be left alone with the bubba but I don't mind me, bubba and a dog up on the sofa all together Two of mine make for lovely headrests when watching tv

 

[FeliciaD]

When i was pregnant the first time-b4 DD-my Siberian Husky wouldnt let OH come near me at all. Especially after I MCd, she wouldn't leave my side aside from eating and going outside for a moment.
And when I was at my moms house in October, b4 I knew I was preggo, my moms dog laid on me the entire time I was there and hes forever being my moms shadow.
So I think bringing the baby home to the dogs would be fine, as long as you're comfortable with it.

 

[Noelle610]

I have an awesome pug mix. I'm honestly not worried about the baby and the dog. Most of my friends with children had dogs first.

Dogs are pack animals, so for the most part I think they understand that the baby is a new member of the pack and is to be protected. Training is certainly important because they do get excited and can be rowdy.

I think what does happen too much, though, based on my experience with my friends with dogs and kids, is that the dogs are neglected once the baby comes. If a dog isn't walked, exercised and paid attention to, they can become badly behaved. Mostly because they're bored and need stimulation. I think the dog is more likely to do well with the new baby if they're being cared for.

 

[_jellybean_]

When I had my first, I had a german shepherd male who was about 2 at the time. He was very very very protective of me (to the point if anyone came too close he would growl, he would sleep at the end of my bed, and would always be "sentry" when I was home, sitting/lying at my feet) He was actually my mum & stepdads dog, and I lived with them as I was only 15 at the time. I was really worried as he was my furbaby and I didnt want him to feel left out or abandoned, as I loved him to death.

Anyway, when Charley was born and we came home from the hospital, he came straight over for a sniff and we let him, and then, to my utter shock, included her in his protection/love as well!! My mums theory was that as he knew she was part of me, and therefore was just as important.

Maybe your dog will surprise you, mines certainly did!

That is SO amazing! Wow. Have never heard anything like that before (don't have pets b/c I'm severely allergic)

 

[baby_mama87]

I have a jack Russell who has always been spoilt so I'm a bit worried about when baby comes, he also doesn't like the sound of babies crying/laughing when there on the tv so really don't know what he is going to be like! I'm going to make sure he isn't feeling left out as soon as we bring baby home, I've heard the worst thing you can do is exclude them as this will make the jealousy worse, fingers crossed he will surprise us but I'm going to try my best with him it breaks my heart to think of getting rid of him