Preparing the Beagle for the Baby?

Question

What is the best way to prepare a dog for a newborn baby. He has been the baby for so long that I think he may get jealous.

Answer 1

The day before you bring the baby home, take an extra receiving blanket to the hospital. The one you baby has been in should go home before the baby. The reason being, once the dog is familiar to the scent of a new baby, there should not be much of a problem. He will want to sniff the baby, so keep the dog away from the baby, but let him sniff the car seat and any extras (like extra blankets, dirty clothing and diaper bags) you bring in the house. After he looks calm, show him the baby and let him sniff the feet and hands, at a safe distance with caution. Just like a dog sniffing another dogs butt, this will familiarize the dog with the baby being part of the "pack".

Full access of the house is needed, including the nursury. The new addition and change of the environment will confuse him, but as long as there are no major changes in where the dog may or may not sleep, you should not have a problem.

Here are some things that should not change if they are already in place:
-Saying "Hello" when you walk in the door
-A greeting of patting on the head
-Feeding time
-Where you feed the dog
-Treat times
-Amount of attention (talking while you hold/nurse the baby)
-Where the dog sleeps
-Walking times
-How you give the dog treats for when he does something good if it is already something regular you do.

Dogs are very flexible creatures. To acheive most flexibility, as long as there is not a great impact of activities that change, there should not ba a problem.

Answer 2

get the babies room set up. You and your partner start using baby products. ie..lotion, shampoo, wipes. Let your dogs get familiar with certain smells before hand. Let him into the babies room, get used to the set up there. Once the baby is born, send your partner home with a receiving blanket that the baby used. If the baby spit up on it, great that is a new smell for the dog to get used to. Even a soiled diaper is another smell for the dog to get used to. As soon as you get home from the hospital, enter your house, greet your dog, and then set the baby and carrier on the floor. let your dog sniff the baby, make sure he doesn't try to jump up on the baby. Include your dog in all activites, bath, feeding, changing. He may, or may not show interest, but you need to treat your dog like an older sibling. Like an older sibling he will be jealous of your time spent with the baby. Just contstantly reassure him that he is still important. Spoil him more than you did before the baby. If your beagle is anything like my bichons, he is probably spoiled. As your baby grows, you should find that your dog will be best buds with the baby, and very protective. He may even alert you to the baby crying. Give it time, don't make any hasty decisions regarding your first baby. Beagles are pretty docile, and if he doesn't show any signs of aggression now, than you shouldn't have any problems when you bring your new addition home. Good luck and Congratulations!!!

Answer 3

Hi,
The best advise has already been given. I see several people have said to take a blanket that the baby has been wrapped in and give it to the dog. Let the dog get accostomed to the babies smell.

Other than that, a newborn doesn't need to be played with. Babies eat and sleep. Make sure you are giving your pup at least as much attention as he got before the baby came along. Include the pup in your daily routine as much as possible. Your dog should gradually accept the new baby as part of the family. Be careful, however, not to leave the baby unattended where the dog can reach.

Answer 4

let the dog sniff new born clothes... (before you bring baby home) so he has a scent. Bring out the toys and baby stuff so he can familiarize with it. If you call the Dog, "Baby" call the baby something else! Let the dog be aware that something "foreign" is going to making it's way into the house. I have a Beagle and they are very lovable. The transition should be easy. He will want to kiss and protect baby and there will be concern if the baby cries or is agitated, The dog may run right over! They will adopt the baby and protect it. They know...

Answer 5

It's entirely possible the dog will get jealous. I don't think there's any way to "prepare", just steps you can take once the baby is born.

Beagles are great with kids. They can, however, be a little over-zealous when they get excited, so that's probably the thing you'll need to watch for. As with any dog you'll want to make sure you don't leave it alone with the baby.

The best things you can do are to make sure the dog still gets attention. When the baby is sleeping or in the swing/infant seat, sit on the floor and play with your dog. The dog's going to be curious as to what this little noisy thing is doing in his house! lol. When you introduce them do it a little at a time, keep a close eye and make sure you correct any behavior you don't want (dog jumping, knocking over, etc.).

Beagles are pack animals. It won't take long for him to accept the newest member of the "pack"!

Answer 6

Allow him full access to what will be the nursery.
While you are in the hospital, send home a blanket or something with the baby's sent on it for him to smell.
When you get home, allow him to sniff the new baby. I put my babies down on the couch and let the dogs smell to their heart's content under supervision. Even though we all smell different to him, there will be a similarity to your scent. He will know that this is a new "pack" member. Then put the baby to bed and give him all the love and attention. Give him lots of attention so that he does not feel that he is being replaced.

Answer 7

This happend to me but it was a chihuahua...and not the nicest chihuahua at that. I read somewhere to bring a blanket home from the hospital which the baby had been wrapped in so she could get used to the smell. We did and put it in her bed for a few nights before the baby and I came home. She adjusted just fine with no episodes of acting out or biting the baby.

Answer 8

Well, teach your dog how to get along