German Shephards and newborn babies?

Question

We have a three year old female German Shep, and I am pregnant. Just wondering if anyone here has any experience on bringing home a new baby to a house with a big dog. She is very protictive of our family, and does not like other dogs, so I'm a bit worried. Any advice?

Answer 1

My male german shepherd is intact as he is used as a stud. He was never around small children until approximately a year ago, and he is a little over 5. My brother remarried and she had a young daughter and also they had a baby in July. My shepherd loves the kids, he loves the squealing, the shrieks the whole thing, and the little girl he will follow all over, and is very careful with her even though he likes to jump on everyone else. I think you sheperd will be just fine.

Answer 2

I'm a Cesar Millan addict, I admit it. He might tell you to make sure that the baby nursery is done at least a month in advance, complete with baby powder and all that. Make that room OFF LIMITS to the dog. Your baby will be accepted as a fellow pack leader this way, and not treated as a threat or a "snacky" as that other fellow mentioned. Once baby is here, you can have hubby bring home baby scented clothing and blankies and put them on the floor. The dog is able to sniff, but not pick up or (worse) pee on the garments. If she does, you need to get a professional trainer or dog psychologist in there, and SOON. Once baby is there, contrary to popular opinion, the dog is not going to be allowed to sniff the baby up close. She can remain in the room with baby, but don't let her nose near your baby. This also establishes baby as pack leader, not another puppy to romp and play bite. Only give attention to the dog when she's being calm and submissive to you. This means ears relaxed, and a little bit back, lying down on her side, or showing her belly. Coddling the dog and telling her "It's okay" only serves to make the dog more nervous about the baby, which could lead to a bite.

On walks (which should be daily, once you feel up to it) the baby stroller is IN FRONT of the dog. Again, establishing the baby as the leader of your pack.

When baby's nursing or being fed, the dog is not allowed nearby. In the wild, there are no followers around when pack leaders are eating and it will make perfect sense to your dog. I recommend keeping that a rule all around - whole family included.

Cesar might also tell you to become a better pack leader. No dog should be overly aggressive towards strangers or other dogs. This is accomplished with a long walk with the dog at your side, not leading the walk. With a working breed like a GSD, you need at least 45 mins to an hour, and a doggie backpack will give you a break and make it faster to meet the limit in like 25 mins. But it has to be every day. The aggression will go down, and the dog will learn that YOU are in control, not HER. If you can't rent or buy or watch Cesar's show, check out his books online at cesarmillan.com or take a trip to the library and check out Canine Good Citizen, or Kathy Santos Dog Sense, or an obedience for dummies series book. They're worth the trip, believe me.

Again, the best thing to do is to make sure the dog has respect for the baby, and the family. With such a powerful working breed it's best to have complete control, as well as lots of love.

Answer 3

The baby should be ok, but show the baby to the dog and if the dog starts doing the same thing she does with the other dogs than keep the dog away from the child. The Shepard shouldn't do that though if it's protective of the family, so maybe once the baby is bigger it should be okay, and the dog should put in it's mind that it's a human and not a dog. If you taught your dog what to do and not what to do by saying, "no" then every time she gets near being a little ferocious with the baby, than just say or do what you usually do to make her stop.

Answer 4

My advice is to make sure you treat her the same as before the baby and make it a positive experience for the dog, if she gets jealous thats when problems arise, make sure to give her treats and affection when she is in the babies presence. Never punish or ignore her around the baby try to include her in everything and gently correct any unwanted behaviour. Make the baby part of the dogs family too, what I mean is when most people have a baby they lose interest in the dog and stop including the dog in daily activities, you know put the dog outside while the baby is awake, or ignore the dog, punish the dog because of the baby (yell at the dog for chewing baby toys etc) all this leads to is making the dog jealous and resentful of the negative attention they recieved when the baby arrived. If you make sure to avoid doing those things and instead make the baby's presence a positive experience for your dog, there will be no problems because the dog will accept the baby as part of the family and treat him/her the same way they treat you.

Answer 5

I am in the same situation you are in and there is alot you can do to prepare the dog before the baby comes.

First- what my boyfriend and I have done is prepared our dog for the gentle "abuse" that little kids do. We gently tugged on her fur and lips and ears until she was used to it. While doing this we praised her and petted her. We also made sure to never truely hurt her. Some dogs will snap at children out of surprise when their fur gets tugged the first time. This is supposed to help alleviate this.

Second- If you have any friends that have youngish kids or can go to a park where kids play I would strongly suggest bringing your dog around. This way your dog gets used to being around younger kids.

Third- When you do bring the baby home, introduce it to the dog. Also always make sure to supervise the dog around the baby, especially at first.

Fourth- make sure to still pay some pure attention to the dog when the baby comes so she understands she is still wanted and an important part of the family.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Don't worry or get excited about this when the baby comes home, because your dog will feel it. Bring your baby home and make sure the dog is allowed to greet your little one. The baby is new to your "pack" and the dog will want to greet.

Make sure the dog understands some limits so it respects baby's place in the family. One easy rule, no dog in the nursery. No begging at the high chair. As your baby grows to toddler, your dog will adjust, and remember the boundaries. This baby is not a puppy, but a little human in the dog's eyes then.

Answer 7

yes, I think when you bring home the baby it will be okay, but you still need to be around the baby , and I know you will . My German Sheppard is very protictive over my child and she is also like that with other animals , good luck with the baby .

Answer 8

Female Shepards are protective of pregnant women, babies and children. When I brought home my last baby, our shepard (now gone) was gentle as can be. When I was pregnant, she'd lie and my feet and acted as a watch dog. If anyone approached me, she'd stand "on guard" until I told her it was ok

Answer 9

we have two half german shepards and half alasken huskeys. they were extremly well with my lil brother and a few years later my lil sister. sadie is even protective of her lol. so it should be ok you just to have to judge ur dog and watch closley the first few weeks.

Answer 10

let the dog know of your babies presence when shes born, make sure your husband has your baby, youll be tired, and the dog will smell him/her from your husbands arms.