Just a little background info: My dog is an approx. 5 year old rescue who had been abused. We've owned her for 3.5 years. She is a sweetheart, but has shown aggression towards other dogs, but never humans.
I'd like to know a 'tried and true' way to introduce my newborn to my dog. What worked for you?
P.S. Please do not tell me to get rid of my dog...that is not an option unless she shows aggression towards the baby.
2006-08-01 05:29:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Before you bring the baby home, have your husband bring home a blanket or outfit the baby has been in so your dog will know the scent. Make sure that the baby's room in off limits to the dog. When you bring your baby home have the dog sit next to you while you hold the baby and give him treats (the really tasty kind) for just sitting there being good and calm, letting him sniff the baby's feet (he'll recognize the scent). Praise the dog lavishly when your holding the baby and give him lots of treats for being good so he associates the baby with the good stuff.
2006-08-01 05:34:09 · answer #1 · answered by erin7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister just had a baby and we have 2 dogs one has been rescued as well, What we did was hold onto the baby a call the dog over then let your dog just smell her and see what it is and if the dog shows aggression towards the baby then you can take the baby out of the dogs area so no injury comes to harm the baby. Good Luck with that!
2006-08-01 14:19:25 · answer #2 · answered by dragonflygurl_32 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The blanket from the hospital so the dog knows the scent is a good thing.
Also, when you bring the baby home, obviously you don't want the dog in the baby's face, but we let our dog sniff the baby's feet, and then look at the baby without the blanket so she'd know what it was.
After the initial 5 mins of sniffing, the dog never bothered the baby, and would actually sleep next to the baby like she was guarding it.
2006-08-01 12:36:19 · answer #3 · answered by janicajayne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dog will get that something is going on as she sees you preparing the house. Since it's a female dog, it may even realize when you are in labor!
Before the baby is born, start using the baby lotion that you'll use on the baby on your hands so she is familiar with that smell and associates it with you.
Assuming you are having a hospital birth, have hubby bring home a blanket or clothing the baby has used and maybe even a dirty diaper for her to sniff over.
When it is time for baby to come home, you should NOT be the one to carry him in the door. Let hubby carry baby. The dog won't have seen you for a day or two and will be anxious to see you and may jump up on you, etc. You don't want the dog's first association with the baby to be you telling the dog, who is excited to see you finally, to get down. Pay attention to the dog for a minute and then sit down with the baby in your lap so the dog can sniff him over.
Never leave the baby unsupervised where the dog can get to him.
Hope that helps!
2006-08-01 12:35:59 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never leave them alone together for awhile. hold the baby and let the dog sniff it and even lick it a bit (just not around the mouth) let the dog be in the room as you feed change and care for the baby. Sit at the dogs level (in the floor) . Watch her reactions when the baby cries. When the baby is crying sit on the floor with the baby and see how the dog reacts when the baby is not in your arms and when the baby is. Any sign of aggression should be watched for closely.
2006-08-01 12:36:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
how funny! i jsut asked this question a few mintues ago.
tips from my dog's trainer:
get a baby doll that cries and makes noise. then, hold the baby like you would your own baby and let dog adjust to you and baby being "one" person. dog will see baby as an extension of you, so there will, hopefully, not be animosity.
-also, if you have friends with babies, see if they could bring a baby around so dog can adjust to actual baby smell and you holding a real baby.
-a great idea from the answers i got....have dad take home a baby blanket from the hospital to let dog get used to YOUR baby's smell. even dirty diapers will help too! sounds gross, but dogs are all about smells!
-also, don't let baby and dog alone..ever.
take care!
2006-08-01 12:36:17 · answer #6 · answered by joey322 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sit there with the baby and the dog. If the dog seems aggressive toward the baby, reprimand her and make her move away.
The baby should have your scent. Eventually the dog should recognize the baby as part of the 'pack'.
2006-08-01 12:34:47 · answer #7 · answered by Ellie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try walking around for a week with a fake baby doll wrapped in a blanket that smells like your new baby. See how the dog reacts.
2006-08-01 12:34:02 · answer #8 · answered by Ashley P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read that after you set up the nursery that you can get a life-like doll and keep it in the crib, bassinet, etc, and carry it around to let them get used to not having as much attention. Give them treats when they are good around the baby. If they growl at the baby put them outside so they know that is not acceptable behaviour
2006-08-01 12:38:19 · answer #9 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋