anyone have tips for adjusting your dog to your new baby???

Question

our trainer has given us some great tips and ideas, however, i was wondering what worked for you???

we have a baby doll that cries and we use "leave it" and "gentle" commands with the dog around the doll.
i also have plans for a friend to bring her baby over so my dog can get used to a baby smell, even dirty diapers, and used to seeing the baby as a part of me, like when i hold the baby.

so, any other tips??

thanks!

p.s. our dog is a chocolate lab...he'll be about 8 months old when the baby is born.

Answer 1

I went through the samething 3 years ago. I had a male Doberman. While I was still pregnant I did the doll that cries and it works great!!

While I was in the hospital and when the baby was born, I had the baby wrapped in one of my baby blankets all day so that the smell of the baby would be on that blanket. When my husband went home that night he put the blanket over the playpen that we had set up in our living room, and let the dog smell is but don't let the dog play with it or else he/she might think that they can play like that with the baby.

Also when you come home from the hospital you go in first and leave your husband to tend to the baby. For you go inthe backyard with your dog. He/she will be very excited 'cause it hasn't seen you for a few days so play with the dog for a bit and let your husband bring the baby in the house and go to a room where you are able to put up a baby gate. When you bring the dog in, put a leash on it and have your husband stand on one side of the baby gate and you stand on the other side with your dog. The dog will be able to smell the baby without getting to close. If he barks or growls or anything you should correct him.

Its also a good idea to teach the dog how to sit, down and stay. Its still a puppy so if you are not able to watch the dog then tie it up or put it in his create. I don't think you will have any problems if you introduce the dog and baby slowly. There is a very good book called Childproofing Your Dog: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children in Your Life by Brian Kilcommons. Its a great book.

I hope this helps you. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Pet dogs relate to you and other family members as if they were members of the family. Ideally, your baby will be accepted by the dog as an offspring included in this family unit. In fact, dogs are more likely to protect an infant from strangers or visitors than they are to be "jealous."
Most problems that arise between a dog and child occur when the child reaches the crawling and walking stages, at about a year or so. If you have seen your dog react to other babies, either in your home, on the street, or in other people's homes, be aware of your dog's typical reactions and take whatever precautions necessary.
Babies can be accidentally hurt as a dog attempts to play with or investigate the infant. An extremely active dog, for example, can accidentally injure a baby while jumping up on the owner or cause an accident while running around. These types of problems can be avoided if your dog is obedience trained. Preparations should begin months before the baby arrives. If your dog does not know how to sit, stay, lie down, or come when called, it should be taught to do so. One tip that can be helpful is that whenever you begin to do something with you baby, you can put the dog in a sit/stay and periodically reward it with a tidbit. This procedure allows the dog to associate pleasant experiences with the baby and gives the dog extra attention when the baby is present.

Answer 3

Lets get this straight, not all dogs have problems with babies. Nor do hundreds of dollars need to be spent on a trainer.
My Shephard and Dachshund adjusted wonderfully and wanted to sleep with my daughter when she was 2 weeks old. The only thing you are going to have to worry about is your puppies size and him wanting attention. Spend time on walks with your dog, try training him now to walk next to a stroller so you can give him the exercise band attention he still needs, and dont leave your baby alone unless you know how your dog will react most labs are very loving towards children, just redirect his energy that could potentially knock the baby over. You can also try rewarding him for being patient and give him a peanut butter stuffed kong that will keep him busy for a while, so you can do a feeding or have quiet time with the baby.

Answer 4

Not to scare you but you are doing the right things, I also wouldnt let the dog around the baby while the baby is in the crib. I saw a story on the news that a friendly family dog (I think It was a golden) actually went in the crib and killed the baby. THIS IS VERY VERY RARE!!! But I think what you are doing is great and I just wanted to let you know not to let the dog have access to the crib. ALSO, go to the hospital and get a blank from there that the baby is going to. That is important too, but the crying baby thing is wonderful!

Answer 5

It sounds like you've really thought it through. If the dog listens well and reacts well to your friend's child, you'll probably be fine. I haven't had any experiences with my dogs having issues with babies.

One thing you might want to look at with a lab is the dog being too protective of the baby. My lab didn't like letting people around the baby when he was crying, even me some days! I've been told it's a lab thing.

At the end of the day, you know your dog best, though.

Answer 6

I think you're pretty much set!! As soon as your baby is born and in the hospital, perhaps bring home something that smells like him. Then your dog can acclimate to the smell.
Baby dolls that cry are great. If you can get a tape of babies crying and playing it at different intervals from another room, that may also get your pup used to a new arrival.
Congratuations on the baby, and kudos on being such a good dog mom already!!

Answer 7

When I was born, my family had a boxer. She was very sweet, but jealous of me (the baby who got lots of attention). Make sure you give your dog lots of attention, but if he snarles or barks at the baby, say, "NO" and remove the dog from the room for a short "time out". Then bring the dog back in & be consistent about it. Also, make sure your baby doesn't have dirty diaper (that upsets dog). Also NEVER leave them alone together. You may have to hold the baby & bring the dog over to the baby, so dog can smell baby & make sure you give lots of love to dog (pet & say, "good boy" to dog while doing it). When dog realizes he will continue to get positive reinforcement for being around baby & being NICE around baby, but will be punished ("bad dog" "NO' and time out) if not nice around baby, dog will learn.

My golden/Irish setter used to growl around my son when son was 2 1/2. I used this approach & now, son is 8 & dog is 9 & they are best buddies!
Good luck.

Answer 8

BE Careful the lab is just a baby still. Do not leave him alone with the baby and make sure you let him be with you when you change diapers, bathe or feed the baby. Let him see how gentle you are and he will grasp it. Try not to isolate him. He is going to want to be with you and know what you are doing.

I have one large dog that doesn't care for other dogs so any small dogs I tell her its a baby and she will be nice to them. Do not play with squeaky toys with the lab. Children squeak and you don't want him to think the baby is a toy

Answer 9

I think what you have mentioned sounds great! I agree that bringing something home that has the baby's scent on it before you bring home the baby is a good idea. One other suggestion I have is make sure you still give your puppy one-on-one time. He may feel replaced when you bring the new 'puppy' home, so if he still gets special time where he can snuggle with you and play, everything should go well :-)

Conrats on the baby and good luck :-)

Answer 10

While you and the new baby are still at the hospital, have your husband bring home something that the new baby has worn. He'll need to smell your baby, not a neighbor's baby. Although we all have different smells, he will reconize that the new smell is related to you.
When you get home with the baby, allow him to smell to his heart's content while you watch! Then put the baby down and give him lots and lots of attention.