any 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.

i'm sorry...to the first answerer...do you mean that b/c i'm having the baby we should get rid of our dog???
if that's what you mean, then that's just silly! wow.

"dutchfam7"
that is an excellent idea! we will try that too! thanks!

Answer 1

this is where the daddy can be of help. While the mother is at the hospital is resting and recooperating with the new baby, take a dirty diaper, or a blanket with you home so the dog can scent the baby before the baby comes home. Watch the baby closely, especially with a young pup. Playpens work great, both for the dog or for the baby and baby gates if the dog gets too rough. NEVER, NEVER LEAVE THE DOG ALONE WITH THE BABY!

Answer 2

First off - what is up with the first answer to your question?? Why would you get rid of your dog after having a baby? Unbelieveable. Anyway, we have 2 chocolate labs ages 4 and 10. The day our son was born, my husband took one of his blankets from the hospital and brought it home the next morning for the dogs to smell. The youngest one is still like a puppy and he tried chewing it, while the older one just sniffed it and walked away. When we brought Liam home, we didn't allow them in his room or anywhere near him when he was sleeping or eating. We would allow them to come up and sniff his feet a few times during the first few weeks. Eventually, they got used to this and started giving his feet a lick everytime they went by. Our son is now 6 months old and the dogs don't really pay much attention to him. They still do the occassional "drive by" and give him a lick on his feet or head! He laughs and watches them with such interest. We have had no problems at all. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me. Labs are great family dogs.

Answer 3

I have trained many families to integrate their babies with their family pets (dogs, cats and more ) all of those things you are currently doing are great! You are on the right path but the single most important thing that I have found is that dogs usually become jealous of the baby due to the attention that they receive. So just make certain times to just play with the dog. And just because you have a baby keep up those things you do now such as walks, going to the park, taking rides in the car or going to training. If you keep giving your dog plenty of attention he/she won't become jealous of the baby. Since your dog is such a young pup I really wouldn't be that worried. Especially because he is a Lab I wouldn't expect much trouble! Good Luck

Answer 4

Labs are especially good dogs around children, so it's not the dog you have to be concerned about. I suggest from the time your baby starts to walk till the age of about 3 or 4 you should be protective of the dog, after that your child should start learning to love the dog a realize that it's tail isn't something you use for a pull toy.

Answer 5

My brother has a Rottweiler and when his son was born, he had no problems with the dog. The dog would actually go and whine to my brother to get his attention when the baby would cry. If you talk to the dog and give him/her some kind of training, you should be fine. The crying doll is a great idea by the way. Whatever you do, don't ignore the dog and if he/she does something wrong to get attention, don't be to hard on them.

Answer 6

You have a good dog, labs are very good around baby's with the right training. A baby and a puppy you will have your work cut out for you. Just make sure you give the puppy attention like you normally do and it will be fine.

Answer 7

I gave my in-laws one of my babies blanket and let the dog sniff it so he can get use to the baby smell. They also watch my baby while I am at work so when they see the dog go by him, they praise him on how good of a doggie he is to watch the baby. I am lucky though because the dog has turned out to be a very good dog with our kids. If anything, he acts like his their body guard.
Good luck.

Answer 8

Ok, I good thing to do is get it used to the "idea" of a baby. Like get the baby lotion and rub it on your arms so it will know the "smell" and it will be a familiar smell to the dog. Or show him the nursery and get a tape with a child crying and laughing so he is familiar with the sounds as well!! Good Luck.

Answer 9

ok this is what we did, while i was still in the hospital, ny husband came home to let the dog out and to play with him..he brought home a blanket that out son had been wrapprd up in, this got the dog used to his smell before we even brought him home. then once we got home, we immediatly gave baily, our dog, a treat. and let him smell the baby and the diaper bag.... this lets the dog associate the baby with good things (whatever you use as treats) as opposed to being scared and jumpy when the dog gets around the baby, the dog will pick up on this and associate the baby with bad feelings....hope it helps

Answer 10

I wouldnt worry bout it because for 1 labs are great with kids & for 2 the dog will notice all your time goin to the baby & realize that the baby is apart of tha family & learn to love tha baby just as much as u will