How to prepare my 2 pit bulls for a new baby?

Question

I have 2 pit bulls that are inside/outside dogs and was wondering if anyone has any good tips on how to prepare them for a new baby and how introduce them to a new baby? They are both well behaved and are fully trained. I am due in 4 months. Thanks in advance! =)

Answer 1

well let the dogs sniff the baby at first and very slowly get them more into your baby but careful dont introduce them to fast

Answer 2

I saw this on an episode of the Dog Whisperer so maybe you can find a copy of the episode.

It's very important that when the baby is brought home that it is considered another pack leader. The dogs must respect the baby. Caesar had the family make the nursery somewhat of a sanctuary and the dogs were not allowed in the room. That is the new pack leaders room and the dogs needed to be kept away.

Obviously you are worried because the dog could unintentionally hurt the baby. But the baby needs respect so keep the dogs at a distance, even when you are holding the baby in a common area. They should be at least five feet away or so. The dogs should not be allowed to go up and sniff the baby, lick, etc. I can't remember exactly but I think he said that this should be done for at least 2 or three weeks after the baby is brought home. Also when going on walks you'll prob use a stroller, the dogs should always be behind the "new Pack leader". NEver allow them to come up to the stroller, etc.

After a little while you can introduce an article of the baby's clothing or a baby blanket that the child has used and has it scent. Allow the dog to smell it and get used to the smell. Still not allowing the dog to come in contact with the baby.

Soon after you can introduce the baby and dogs together.
Try and get a copy of this episode. I think that it would really help you out. It's much better to do things the right way first time around so there wont be any problems.

Congrats on the new baby!

Answer 3

Get a doll that makes baby noises and treat it like you would a real baby.Carry it around,tell your dogs off if they jump up at it or misbehave in any other way.This will get them used to the sound of a baby.

When you have the baby get your husband to bring home a blanket the baby was wrapped in for a while to get the dogs used to the scent.

When the baby comes home let the dogs sniff it through the bars of it's cot.Once they do that with no real interest let them sniff it in your arms.By the time your baby starts crawling they should have accepted it as a valuable member of the pack and will leave it alone.

Some dog trainers also help with preparing dogs for a babies arrival so you could hire one of them.

The main rule is NEVER leave your child alone with your dogs,not even for a minute, until your sure it's old enough to know how to handle dogs under all circumstances-this will probably not be till the child is 10 or older.

Make sure that the dogs get attention and don't feel left out.Play with them and take them for walks as you normally would etc.This should stop them feeling jealous of the baby.

Ignore the idiots saying to get rid of the dogs.Pit Bulls make superb family dogs when well trained.Their high pain threshold makes them far less likely to bite if accidentally stood on than many other dog breeds.

Answer 4

I agree with Princess. get everything set up early. That way they are used to the changes. Try to get some cds or videos of babies crying and play it often. Get a baby doll and treat it as if it were a real baby and let them sniff it and get used to something new being around. Once the baby is born, bring home a blanket with the scent of the baby on it and let the dogs get used to the smell. When you do bring home the baby, let them check out the baby. Make sure they are still getting the attention too, so they do not become jealous of the baby. And of course, never leave the baby unsupervised with them. Just because they are pit bulls it doesn't make any difference. A dog is a dog. Responsible owners raise responsible dogs. I have 3 kids, ages 6,8, and 10 and another on the way, a 5 year old pit. Plus a 4 month old pit. I trust them both completely with my kids. If you treat them the way you would treat one of your kids, they are just like a kid. Bad dogs come from bad owners

Answer 5

well im not sure how you would prepare two dogs for a baby.but just try and keep them very very calm the closer it gets to you bringing the baby home.but when you do dont introdice them until the baby has been there for a couple weeks.you dont want the baby getting sick or anything.but like if the baby is sleeping just have the dog see that its a person in there and not a toy.but when you indrtoduce them face to face.be quiet and just have the dog look at it and not lick it or anything.but as the baby gets older let it play around the dogs.but dont ever ever leave the baby alone tiwth the dogs. b/c it could be the last time you see that baby.i had a friend do that and it was a very calm dog that had never ever bitten anybody and the dog had bitten the baby on his leg.so always keep a close eye on the dogs attitude when its around the baby. good luck and

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BABY!!

Answer 6

I have an APBT that loves everyone. She is a little rowdy and jumps on people but not children, she just wiggles around them. She is pretty energetic, 4 years old. Well when my daughter brought my newest grandson over for the first time at about 3 weeks old and sat him on the floor in his carrier. I was worried the Pit would bump into him and maybe knock him over. Well, what she did was go over and check him out. Then she laid down next to him and stayed there for the hour he was on the floor. She would not leave his side. Yes, there is a reason they are called "nanny dogs".
I would guess the only problem you could have is your two Pit's fighting for who can get closer to the baby. My other two dogs, Chi/Rat Terrier and a Beagle, went and checked out the baby then ignored him.
It has been about a year now and when my daughter comes over and sits down with the baby in her lap the two other dogs still ignore him. But Honey goes over and puts her head in his hand and lets him play with her ears and nose and she licks his fingers.
APBT, the greatest dog in the world.
Congratulations on your new arrival.

Answer 7

OMG i have 2 big dogs ones a rottie mix and my 2 kids where not eaten....lol! if they are well behaved and calm u should not have much problem. we didn't do the whole baby powder...or lotion thing. mine did get to met friends babies. which got them use to the noise. but no other baby has the smell or cries the way urs will. have someone bring home a blanket the baby was wrapped in. they must smell it calmly and be rewarded with a calm pat for doing so.....

now when i came home my dogs i knew would be soooo happy to see me so i went in the house first i greeted them. and calmed them down. then dad brought in the baby. i sat on the floor al allowed the calmiest to come see, but there are rules, he was not to be pushy with his nose or feet (cause he's a pawer). and he had to lay down. then the other came he to had to lay down.

it takes awhile for everything to find a new normal but its worth it my dogs have been the kids best friends and they clean up the cheerio's! which keep the hair things outta the kids mouth.

check out babyzone.com
and babycenter.com
they both have boards for pet owning and kids. and as most of us who grew up with pets know they and an important part of a childs life..even a young babies.

and the ppl u think pits are not good with kids are not educated and only go by what every ones tells them, my friend as pits and kids and they are wounderful and laid back with her kids.

ohhh congrats and good luck!

Answer 8

You can buy training cd's that allow your dogs to become accustomed to the sound of babies crying which can be one of the hardest things for them to settle with, baby crys your panick and they sense it, so this allows them to get used to the sound whilst you are calm. You can purchase these off the internet try looking up sounds DAP diffuser in 2 weeks ore you're due these contain Dog Appeasing pheromon
es which help calm and reassure the dog.
When baby arrives introduce him/her slowly by allowing them to see but not touch, then allow them to sniff and gradually allow build it up.
Never under any circumstances leave the baby alone with the dogs even if you think the dogs are fine with them. It never worth the chance

Answer 9

Purchase videos or CDs of noises babies will make laughs, cries and especially screaming. The louder more urgent the sound the more the dogs are likely to react. Sometimes positive and sometimes negative. You don't your dogs to start barking when the baby's crying envoking the baby to cry even more.

Also, purchase some of the items your baby will use, baby wipes, powder, lotion, creams etc. Get your dogs used to the smell. Start setting bounderies of where you want them to go, touch etc. They are going to be extremly curious when the little one comes home and unless they are sure what they can and can not do they may get under foot, lick the baby when they aren't suppose to, chew up toys, or even urinate on the baby's items.

All in all, just get them accustom to the smell and sounds of a new born. Then start setting bounderies.

Good Luck and congrats.

Answer 10

you dont they will be fine. be careful do let people your dogs dont know around the baby..sometime the dogs will take it as a threat and bite a stranger. dont worry no one will steal your baby. the only problem i have had it my dog standing between my kids an anyone the dog does not know.

There are many urban legends surrounding the pit bull, mostly based on the idea that the dogs are somehow physiologically different from other breeds of dog.

A Pit Bull's jaw.
Many sources propagate the myth that pit bulls have a "locking jaw" mechanism, and that the dog cannot let go once it has bitten. This is untrue. Dr. I. Brisbin of the University of Georgia states:



Positive press
Although negative information about pit bulls is widespread and, when a negative news story occurs, highly publicized, there are also many positive stories. Some work in hospitals and care facilities as certified therapy dogs, many are well-loved family pets, and some have even saved people's lives. There are many incidences of pit bulls being productively employed by U.S. Customs , as police K9s.
Often pit bulls have been reported to "adopt" other species of animals (such as kittens or squirrels), earning the breed the nickname "nanny dog".
A rescued pit bull called Popsicle is a United States Customs dog, and is famous for sniffing out one of the biggest cocaine busts in history.
In February, 2006, New Yorker magazine writer Malcolm Gladwell published an article surveying the research on pit bulls which concluded that legal attempts to ban the breed were both crude and unnecessary.
In February 2007 a pit bull named "Chief" rescued his family of humans from a spitting cobra by dashing in front of the attacking snake and taking the deadly bite himself. Chief subdued the snake but died of the venom 30 minutes later.
In April 2007, columnist John Canzano of The Oregonian newspaper wrote a favorable piece on Hollywood, the pit bull that formerly belonged to NBA player Qyntel Woods. Hollywood, renamed Stella, was adopted by a loving owner and reformed from a fighting dog to a lap dog.


Actress Jessica Alba has a pit bull named Jim Bowie.
Actress Jessica Biel owns three pit bulls.
Rapper Big Boi from hip-hop duo Outkast is a registered pit bull breeder.
Actors Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson have a pit bull named Penny Lane.
Actor Michael J. Fox owns a pit bull named Burnaby.
Radio host Ira Glass has a pit bull.
West Coast Chopper owner Jesse G. James owns three pit bulls; he named his 50's style burger stand after Cisco.
Jin Joo Lee (Korean Singer) has two pitbulls.[citation needed]
Good Charlotte twins Joel and Benji Madden own a Blue pit bull named Easy.[citation needed]
Daddy is a "pack member" of Cesar Millan's Dog Psychology Center. Hip hop artist Redman, Daddy’s original owner, gave the four-month-old puppy to Cesar.
TV cook Rachael Ray has two pit bulls.
Actress Alicia Silverstone has a rescued pit bull.
Comedian Jon Stewart has pit bulls.
Author Andrew Vachss, a vocal opponent of pit bull fighting and breed-specific bans, has a pit bull named Honey.