[Guspiv]

My husband and I have 4 year old dog names Woody. He is truly our baby. He lays on our bed he snuggles and cuddles with us. I am afraid of how he will act with a baby around. He is very friendly with my nephew and our God children. But honestly I don't know how he is going to do with a baby in the house all the time. I was thinking of maybe buying a doll baby and having him get used to that being around and he not touching it. We have alreay made the room that will serve as the nursery off limits to him. We are about to finish our homestudy and I would just like to be prepared.

Anyone have any suggestions or experiences?

[echaos]

We got to be at the hospital with our guy (you'll see my story in your other thread ) so we brought home clothes that Liam had wet threw on, spit up on so that our dog Charlie, and our cats could smell him and get used to it.

We didn't have any problems with anyone, but the baby had a wet face from Charlie snuzzeling him!

[Sarah0518]

Mine was already used to small children from her former owners, so that wasn't as big a deal for us. It was a big deal that we have a 2 story house with a basement. Can you say - lots of stairs? One thing we did was train our large dog that at no point in time is she allowed on the stairs at the same time as us. She has to sit by them, wait for us to go completely up or down them, and can then follow. I'll sometimes give her "permission" to proceed first (especially in the morn when she is most hyper) but others wise she must wait for the all clear. She caught on really fast. I just had this irrational fear of having the baby, baby gear, etc in my arms, and her making a mad dash past me on the stairs otherwise.

Now if I just had half as much luck about licking.... I constantly have to remind her not to go for baby's face. I allow a leg, etc just because she's one of those dogs that has to lick something .

[aMarylandfamily]

We have three mini-dachshunds that too are our first babies. When our "baby" came home they sort of followed me everywhere wanting to know why he got carried when they had to walk and constantly jumping up on chair to see. After the second day of showing the baby the dogs and the dogs the baby we put our "baby" down on a blanket and let all three do the "circle the baby" thing and then they each licked him ... after that if you thought the baby was going to be anywhere they weren't we were nuts and he became their "baby" and to this day if I speak in a louder than normal tone to the "baby" that will soon turn 13 they stand at alert - "don't yell at their baby". It's quite comical ... you'll be surprised at how much they adjust quickly to each other - just make sure you don't make one of them off limits totally or there will be jealousy.

[DebCsMom]

We have 3 dogs, a Golden Ret., a German Shep mix & a 1/2 Bichon 1/2 Llasa. Another good idea is to carry around a doll that makes crying noise. Tell them, "It's the baby, be gentle". Don't keep the dogs away from the baby things. Let them explore the babys room. If you have a quilt that you will lay on the floor for the baby to be on, lay it out now with the doll on it. Tell the dog, again "it's the baby. Be gentle."

It worked GREAT for us. When we brought each child home one of the first things we did was to let the dogs smell them, be by them. We kept telling them over & over, "It's the Baby. Be gentle" Of course your dog has to know what gentle means LOL Gentle is a word we often use for the obvious, to be gentle. Like taking treats from our hands, playing, & being near the babies.

After a very short time, the dogs just didn't care about the baby anymore & paid it no mind. The small dog though was like the Daddy. When the babys were on the floor, he had to lay next to the baby with his body touching. If I fed the baby, he had to be in the chair next to me with his head on the babys lap. With our 4 year old, when she takes a nap, he's right there with her snuggled up close. When the baby cries, he's there trying to figure out why & "kissing" him.

Good Luck! Just include the dog in baby activities just like you would an older child so they don't get jelaous. Start with the doll.

Deb

[tomandcate]

This is all good advice and similar to what I've heard others do - we have friends with a big Rott (bigger than our boy, who is 125 lbs. and has always been THE baby) and they used a babydoll that cries to get her prepared.

We have already started talking about "the baby" and we currently have the car seat in the den where he can get used to it.


Here are some other ideas also...

Preparing Fido

Preparing Dog for Baby

Preparing Your Pet

Preparing Your Dog


Thanks everyone, it's good to hear about your experiences.

Cate

[lmrod55]

We have two miniature schnauzers, and like others have posted they are our first babies! We carried around a baby wrapped in a blanket that could cry when we pulled the pacifier out - and sprinkled it with baby powder. We took the baby with us everywhere...when we left to go to work (or out to dinner, etc.) we would put the baby in the car seat and then leave it in the garage and pick it up before we went in the house. It doesn't take the dogs long to get use to it - we gave it about 2 weeks and they did fine when the baby came home. If you are able to I would bring something home from the baby, that has his/her smell on it, and allow the dog to sniff it.

Another thing that we did: when we brought our dd home I went into the house first and said hello to the dogs and got them calmed down (they are always so excited to see me and they were only 1 yr and 6 months at the time)...then dh came in with dd in the car seat - we put her on the couch and allowed them to sniff around her. Oh! One other thing - when dd first came home we ONLY gave the dogs a treat when we were holding the baby...

We were sooo worried about the dogs when we got the baby - but they all love each other and have a blast crawling around together (although the dogs get bored quicker than dd)

[redhedded]

Hi Guspiv, We had a 160 lb 11 year old Great Dane while we waited. We had a painted, furnished and fully stocked nursery and would allow her to lie on the floor, often under the crib, whenever she wanted. Sometimes she would just wander around, sniff the clothes and find something more interesting to do, like sleep. She had always been very calm, and she, too, spent much time in our bed; she believed herself to be a lapdog. We had no concerns about her. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with spinal cancer and died shortly before our daughter arrived.

We experienced two failed matches, one after the death of our beloved Husa and were unsure of how long our wait might be. We opted to temporarily foster another Dane through the Great Dane Rescue who was in great need of a home. She was also very large, nervous and easily excitable but very loving; in addition, she had experienced much neglect and abuse. We quickly got her acclimated to our home and procured obedience training. She stayed until our daughter was almost one and did great!

[mmdd2b]

Hello,
Just reading your posts and replies. Our Husband and I have our Son, Joey. He is a 2yr old Black Cocker Spaniel. He is truly our baby and spoiled in every way. We are expecting our new little bundle of joy in the next couple of weeks. Do you think these ideas about a doll would work in time. We are too worried of how much he will think he is not the baby anymore....

I heard that when you first come home that you address the baby first then your pets. I tried this one day with my neices. I came home and Joey went banana's of course to see me. I went right over to my 10month old neice and picked her up. Joey was trying to be held as well. So, I put my neice back on the floor and petted and loved Joey as usual. He was pretty content at that moment but I can tell he was confused.

Has anybody tried this? I am sure you have come up with great stories. Also, we have arranged a sitter to watch Joey while we travel. Once we get home, do you guys have your dog's home or do you wait a week to bring home little by little. Just curious on what you guys think.

KB

[lmrod55]

mmdd2b - I believe you have plenty of time to introduce the doll to your dog to get him use to a baby in the house...most dogs pick things up very quickly, as long as you are consistent.

We didn't have to travel to pick up our dd, so I am going off of gut here when I say that I think you should have the baby home for a day or two before you bring your dog home.

Good luck!

[mmdd2b]

That sounds like a great idea. Just a day or so. I will try the doll idea. My husband laughed when I told him that he would have to carry a doll in the carseat to his car.

KB

[goin'batty]

We have a big ol' goofy airedale, Dedo, who is very excitable about everything. We did the doll thing and car seat too. What I found to be the biggest help was just getting him used to the noises of all the baby gadgets. He has lots of toys and I was afraid that he would get really wound up with the sound of anything like a bouncy chair, etc. So, I put toys in the bassinet that made noise turned them on and kept him from barrelling into the bassinet. I figured I was taking care of two birds with one stone. When the baby came home, he was REALLY intrigued by what was in the bassinet squeeking, but he was very gentle when he peeked inside.

We also walked around with the doll talking to it in baby voices, etc. and Dedo wasn't allowed to jump up or in general be too rough with whoever had the "baby". He learned pretty quickly to go to the one without the baby for attention.

Dedo loves the baby, but he does feel a little left out sometimes. I always try to show him lots of love too so that no jealousy issues arise.

[mj77]

We made extra time with our dog at night while our son was asleep. She was curious about the new member of the pack but quickly learned she was still at the bottom. I was amazed how well she did as she was totally the baby before our son.

[LoveRiddenDad]

Redhedded,

How heartbreaking on your dane!!! We're Great Dane fans too, although only one of our four dogs is a Dane now.

Guspiv,

I would also expose your dog to friends' kids if possible. We found our then pets LOVED playing with kids (two Danes then). Also, see how good your dog does with lots of kid-like prodding... Pulling the food dish away during a meal, cuddling up on her when she's napping, touching her ears, etc.