My husband and I have a little terrier. I'm concerned how she is going to act around our first baby. She's a really good dog but I'm afraid she is going to be jealous and do something to the baby. She is use to being the only one in our home. What can I do now to train her for the new baby, due in August?
2007-01-30 10:38:52 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I wouldn't be too concerned, most dogs ajust quite well.
Obviously you should never leave baby and dog unsupervised.
Ensure your dog knows his place in the home is at the bottom of the pecking order.
When baby is born get your husband to bring home one of baby's blankets so your dog can get used to the smell and give lots of praises and cuddles so he associates the smell with a good experience.
When baby comes home, for the first few weeks ensure that when you are nursing or playing with baby that you give your dog either lots of pats or a special treat. You want your dog to associate the baby with only pleasant experiences.
If you suddenly are paying all your attention to baby and not to your dog then of course he will get jelous. But if everytime you play/nurse baby he gets a pat and a bone or chew then he will think the new addition is the best thing that ever happened.
2007-01-30 10:56:30 · answer #1 · answered by Pebbles 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The introduction should be on the floor in the main family room. Just as you walk in the door set the carrier in the middle of the room and let your dog check out the baby until he starts coming to you and ignoring the baby.
By doing this way the dog will be able to sniff at his eye level. The baby is low on the same eye level and does not pose a threat. Plus, the dog can smell you on the baby. Praise the dog and kneel by the baby touching it and let your dog smell your hand. Pet the dog more than you do the baby. Talk gentle and quite with your husband, all of you on the floor. You should know by then if the dog is going to resent the baby.
Now you can take the baby out of the carrier and let the dog sniff some more. Once you know that is no danger, put the baby back in the carrier and go wash up, change your clothes, leaving the baby on the floor. Now life will go on and the dog will help take care of the baby. You walked off and left that baby in her care and she knows what just happenen and become that childs best friend
I have seen this done with two adult Dobermans and a new baby. The two dogs were fully trained protection dogs. Like a Police Dogs.
This process works everytime. It is a family event and all four of you are a pack, each knowing their pecking order.
2007-01-30 19:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this is going too sound very silly but i have heard that it works very well on all breeds. Most dogs get very jealous of the attention they lose, so when the new baby comes home try not to change the habits you have with your dog. Secondly the dog hears the baby cry and wants to protect it or you because it has no idea what the sound is. A friend of mine did this with her very large German Shepperd and it worked like a charm, She went a bought a baby (toy) that makes the sounds of a real baby the crying and she carried it around with her and told the dog nice baby etc. she said it only;y took a week and the dog got used to the sound and could've cared less when the real thing came. She also remembered not to change the routine of the dogs at all feed at the same time etc.. Hope this helps and congrats and Good luck with the new baby.
2007-01-30 19:07:35 · answer #3 · answered by grooveee1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best friend had a beagle that was her baby...until she got pregnant! All she did was let her know that the baby was there...like when she would kick she had the dog feel it. Then once she had the baby her husband brought home a blanket that had the babys smell on it and introduced her to the smell of her. Then when she got to come home she formally introduced her and let the dog get to know the baby without hurting her like smelling licking. I think it took a little bit of time but she had the baby Dec 2nd and the dog is fine now. She knows that the baby comes first. I am going to have the same problem, i just found out i'm pregnant and i'm just gonna try to do what she did. By the way CONGRATS!!
2007-01-30 18:51:13 · answer #4 · answered by Toni K 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should go to Borders or another bookstore. I used to work there and seem to remember there being more than a few books about aclimating your dog to the new baby before the baby arrives. Basically you go through all the motions of having a baby without the baby. Check out the books, and good for you for wanting to work with your dog. I was employed at a shelter for a few years and saw more than a few pets surrendered because a new baby has come into the home. Good luck and congratulations!
2007-01-30 18:49:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the biggest thing you can do is calm down....the dog feeds off of your energy so don't put out negative nervous energy. go buy a doll that has sound effects and and start using that around the house to train your dog. once you get the baby room put together train the dog to OUT so that it knows not to go in the baby room. Training the dog to OUT is also handy for all rooms of the house. We used the threshold for the boundary of the room...the dog must not cross it when told OUT. if you have a friend or relative with a baby buy some receiving blankets and use them on the baby for scent. You can then use them on your pretend baby while training.
2007-01-30 19:01:50 · answer #6 · answered by mups mom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am having exactly the same problem, except I have a PITBULL! She is a good girl but she is still young, only 1 year, and very excitable... WE decided to call in a dog trainer, she has only had 2 sessions so far, but she is learning to walk without pulling on a leash, she knows sit and lay down, we are trying to master stay and off... But so far so good... Oh, and I dont mean the petstore trainers this is a guy that used to train police dogs, he is very good and well worth the price :)
2007-01-30 18:55:29 · answer #7 · answered by Robin L 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well to tell you the truth dogs usally like babys and when they grow up become very good friends and if shes jelouse have quility time with her too and evrything will go fine so dont be woried also congrats on the baby
2007-01-30 18:52:06 · answer #8 · answered by Kelsey D. Yay ME! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most terriers are bad with babies because of their instinctive hunting skills but i know quite a few terriers that are very good with babies. im not sure how they make them like that but you can ask. although, if your terrier is a Jack Russell Terrier, you have almost no luck because i have a Jack Russell that just loves to bully others weaker than himself and he also plays too rough with little kids.
2007-01-30 21:16:40 · answer #9 · answered by Dougy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋