Expecting my first child, have three spoiled dogs and the husband and I can't agree?

Question

I am six months pregnant with our first child. For the last three years we have babied and spoiled are three dogs as if they were are babies. My husband was in the Navy so he was deployed much of the time. During that time, the dogs were all I had and to me they are not pets, but my kids as well. He has been adamant about not having the dogs upstairs but to keep them in the basement or outside. That thought breaks my heart as they have slept with us since day one and have always been around us. They love kids and have done excellent with my niece and nephew as young children, but because they are big dogs he just doesn’t want them around the baby. My husband thinks that I am putting the dogs before the baby. However, I just want the dogs to be included in the whole event so they welcome the baby and not reject it. Any advice? Am I wrong?

Answer 1

I think there is a middle ground you both could agree too. Now I have dogs and 5 kids as well. I just had our newest baby 2wks ago. Babies are very sensitive to things. The dogs can bring in insects, ticks and fleas ect and carry other things that can bother the baby. So having them sleep in your bed is probably not a great idea. Yet keeping them in the basement right when the baby gets here might make them jealous and hostile towards baby too. You have to let them around the baby and show them baby is ok. You also have to give them limits and show them who is in charge. Since the animals are big....they have to be careful of their size compared to the baby. It will take time and adjustments, but overall I think there should be a happy medium. I wouldn't have the dogs in the bed, but I would give them part of the house and outdoors to live in...and maybe visit the upstairs. Simply because of health and babys that little ect...I keep my dogs outside. They used to sleep in my room too, but I couldn't have bugs and dirt around a newborn. I go out side with baby and let them see baby ect....later the dogs can come back inside, but not with such a new baby around.

Answer 2

I am sorry to say that I agree with your husband. My dogs were my babies (and still are) but they had to go in the kitchen after the baby. You never know about a dog, you can not tell what it is thinking, and you don't want to chance it. Under no circumstance should you put your dog before you child. Even if they won't hurt the baby, they still have the dandruff and stuff floating in the air that the baby should not breath when trying to sleep. It took a lot og convincing on my part, but my husband finally saw what I was talking about. For the sake of your baby, put the dogs in the other room, they will adjust.

Answer 3

If you properly socialize the dogs with the baby from the start, if they're good with children, they will be fine. Setting boundaries is the important issue here. Confining them to a basement or outdoors isn't going to help the baby get to know the dogs, or the dogs to get to know the baby. While I understand your husband's worry as a parent, he needs to do some research on the topic.
It is also dependant on the breed of dog. But honestly speaking, confining the dogs AWAY from the baby is the wrong thing to do.
However, if you want to co-sleep with the baby, do not allow the dogs in bed. You do run the risk of suffocation.

Answer 4

Keep the dogs with you. They are part of the family and they need to get used to the new baby. There is no good reason for sticking the dogs in the basement. Kids have been growing up with dogs in the house for centuries...why stop now?

Answer 5

Dogs are wild at heart, even if they have been around people all of their lives, so therefore a baby could be a new experience to them. Your husband is just being cautious because babies make sounds and scream and the dogs might get terrified and try to attack the baby. It's been known to happen, even if you don't want to believe it. I know it's hard on you but you have to think about your new baby.

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with setting some limits for your dogs. We kicked our dog out of our bed when our first child was born. The baby outranks the dogs, as much as you may love your pets.

Answer 7

I think that u need to agree with ur husband im sorry women should join togther but the baby could just get up on the baby and sofficate it not trying to but it mite. Good luck hun

Answer 8

You REALLY don't want to see my answer.Dogs smell and muck. Your babies are priority, and dogs can cause disease. Children are human and live longer than dogs. I have 4 children and I wouldn't put their health second AT ALL.

Answer 9

Did you get the dogs all at once? If you got them one at a time and each time they had to get used to a new puppy getting most of your attention, they might be alright. Just watch them VERY closely becaues they get jealous.

Answer 10

You will feel differently when the baby comes.....trust me when your dogs come close to your baby, your maternal instincts will kick in and realize that your baby is more important!!