2007-03-20 02:03:00 · 15 answers · asked by romruby 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Just make certain they are well trained. If you have friends with small children, let the dogs meet them and get used to the way small children behave.
Once the baby arrives, keep the dogs involved in the care of the baby, by talking to them while you are feeding or playing with the baby.
My Doberman was was very protective of my daughter when she was a baby, making it her job to guard the crib at all
times. Nobody got to touch the baby without the Doberman's approval - which can be a very effective baby-sitter :-)
Addition: As a side note to everyone that thinks you should get rid of the dogs... Growing up with pets in the house is a healthy environment. A child raised around animals learns early to treat them with respect and is much less likely to have problems with them in the future.
Any dog that is well trained will accept changes in the home environment more easily - no matter the breed or size.
Dobermans can be very gentle, loving dogs. I introduced my newborn to my Doberman the day she came home form the hospital with absolutely no fear of injury.
2007-03-20 02:08:26 · answer #1 · answered by searchpup 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Do some simple things now to prepare your dogs for the baby and you should be fine:
(1) Change your dogs's routine before the baby arrives. If the time of their walks etc. will change when the baby arrives it is better to get them used to it beforehand.
(2) Get them used to the sounds of a baby crying a gurgling by playing a CD of baby noises.
(3) Don't exclude them when you are feeding/changing the baby unless they are used to being shut in another room. Either teach them to sit quietly in the corner while you are feeding (and praise/reward them) or put up a dog gate so they can see you but not reach you. Give them stuffed Kongs etc. to keep them busy (unless they will fight each other for them).
(4) Bring all the baby paraphernalia into the house ASAP so the dogs can get used to it. Teach them not to jump on the cot and teach them the difference between their toys and the baby's toys.
(5) Most importantly, when the baby comes home, make sure it is positive for the dogs. Never, ever punish them near the baby. Instead, praise and reward them lots when they they are being good and calm near the baby.
Never leave the dogs alone with the baby, even for a second. Accidents happen and even the calmest of dogs can do huge damage to a baby by accident.
If you need help with any of the above, I suggest that you get a dog behaviourist in now to help you out. The better prepared you are, the easier this will be for you!
Good luck!
2007-03-21 05:52:02 · answer #2 · answered by Clanger 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see that other people here think that all dobermanns are vicious creatures, so untrue. My best friend has a dobermann and I have never met a sweeter, more calm dog. If I were you I would get a doll and treat it like a baby in front of them. One thing to keep in mind is that they like you attention and dont want anything (or anyone) else to take that away. Make sure you or someone else gives plenty of attention to the dogs when around the baby especially. Congrats!
2007-03-20 09:16:30 · answer #3 · answered by ♥RN♥ 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Expose the dogs to as much baby stuff, sounds, smells as possible. If they are not fixed, even if they are older, it might be wise to look into that. In 2000-2001 there were 28 fatal dog attacks, 26 were male, 2 female. 21 of the 26 males were not fixed, and the other 5 were not confirmed. I am sure having two dobermans you are a dog lover like me, please don't take the advice of the ignorant people that tell you to get rid of the dogs. Just don't leave the dogs with a baby unsupervised. Also, try to continue exercising your dogs as much as possible. A tired dog is a good dog!
2007-03-20 10:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by amylouwho 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A lot of families go through this. Most SPCA's have classes to train and prepare your dogs for a new baby. Their great classes. The ones around here are free. You have to look around at different shelters and rescue groups in your area. We have several that have classes here. They will teach you what to do and not to do to make it a great transition for your dogs, and they teach the dog the new boundaries and the new sounds they will hear. I know a few classes around here use plastic babies that have a chip inside to make the noises a baby would make. They have you hold the doll and interact with your dogs in a safe way. I'm a babysitter/nanny and I have known several families who went to these classes and loved it. It made the transition so much less stressful for them.
Don't listen to the people who are telling you to get rid of your dogs, yes it's true that dogs have attacked babies. It does happen, but there a so many dog and baby families that are perfectly fine. It's is possible to train your dogs so that they respect you and the baby. As a dog lover, I know how much you love your dogs and I know you already love your baby. You can have your fur babies and your baby in the same house. Just find the proper training classes and you will be fine.
Good luck! I hope you find some classes in your area.
-Brit
2007-03-20 09:50:09 · answer #5 · answered by Positively Pink 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Dobermans not not mean if they have been raised well not more so then smaller dogs which can be very snappy with kids. I had a doby when my niece was very small she use to crawl into his crate with him and pretend to file his toe nales. LOL
I have Shepherds to none where any problem with the kids at all. But never leave a baby unattended with any dogs, I agree with the advice of trying to get a friend with a baby to come over so they can see and get use to the smell.
I had lee bring the baby in while I greeted the dogs and made sure they knew I was glad to see them. And gave them attention also. the Transition was always smooth and the dogs took t he job of protector very serious while helping watch over the little one.
2007-03-23 14:27:10 · answer #6 · answered by njnsn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bring a baby into the house
find someone with a baby and have them bring hte baby over when the dogs are restrained, in the kitchen crate etc.
then praise the dogs and ignore the baby the entire time the baby is there
repeat weekly for an hour or so and ignore the baby as soon as the dogs calm down, and give the dogs treats and attention the entire time the baby is there
then ask mom to leave some baby scented item before they go, a sed diaper, a clean diaper, a baby blanket, and you can get some bright colored toys, and baby stuff to leave around
when the dogs sniff it, give them lots of praise and loads of attention,
eventually you can pet the dogs while paying attention to the baby and they will look forward to the visiter so they get even more good stuff
2007-03-20 09:09:04 · answer #7 · answered by drezdogge 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I would tape a baby crying and play this to condition the dogs. Sometimes dogs can get worried about the high pitched noise.
Also please never leave the dogs alone with the baby even for one second.
2007-03-20 09:11:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
My answer to this ? is the exact same as I posted on your previous ?. The ones on here bad mouthing the Doberman breed has probably NEVER owned one!!!If someone has never had personal experience with a certain breed, HOW DO THEY KNOW? They DON"T!!!! If your dogs are well trained they will be fine!!!
2007-03-20 11:17:53 · answer #9 · answered by ® 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I would never ever have 2 dogs of any breed in a house with a baby,jack russells have killed babies,it seems to be the high pitch of a baby crying that sets them off!
When your baby is born you will adore it that much,you wont risk it,I wouldn't.
2007-03-20 09:27:04 · answer #10 · answered by Pat R 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋