I'm due in 3 1/2 months and I already have somewhat of an idea what to do, such as bringing home items with the baby's scent, making rule changes BEFORE bringing baby home, etc. I also know all about not leaving kids and dogs alone unsupervised.
My question is more along the lines of... What kind of new rules should I have with my dogs? I realize it's a personal decision, but I wanted to know what you think of things like:
- Not letting pets up on furniture (I currently let them on the couch).
- Whether or not to let the dogs in the baby's room.
- Should I let the dogs sniff at the baby or make them stay away?
...and also...
- What are some things I can do to prevent allergies? The baby will be coming from a sterile environment to a home with 3 dogs!
I just want to be prepared. Thanks so much!!!!! :-)
2007-09-14 07:10:36 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Oh, and anything else that I didn't mention as far as rules go. I should also add that my dogs are VERY gentle around toddlers/preschoolers but have never seen a newborn before!
2007-09-14 07:16:54 · update #1
No, I would NEVER get rid of the dogs unless I absolutely was forced to (like if the baby had severe allergies... hence that last question I asked). All the other issues are simple training issues and can be resolved with time and patience. These dogs were my first "kids!" Although, my sister has fallen in love with our Rott mix and asked if she could adopt him from us!
2007-09-14 07:24:32 · update #2
first of all congratulations on your forthcoming event no you should not introduce new rules when the baby is born they should all be in place by then. i have had dogs round young children and babies for the past 20 yrs with no trouble you sound like a sensible lady and only you will know what you want hers some advice though.
if you let the dogs on the couch now dont stop them but make sure the baby is safe as if you stop them now they could resent it.
do you allow the dogs in the room at the moment if so allow them in while you are present but have a gate fitted so they dont go in without you.
yes you must allow them to sniff the baby as if you make them stay away they will resent it and that is where accidents start.
the best thing you can do is flea your house and clean your carpets before bringing baby home but babies are very tough and i am sure hwo careful you are baby is going to catch colds and infections so stop worrying and enjoy your new bundle they are only tiny once.
good luck for the future
2007-09-14 08:07:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know the breed of the dogs that you have - but be aware that even a good house dog that is large can easily over power an adult holding a new born. Also - dogs don't see babies as little humans - they see them as weak - and dogs that are not in a pack that is strongly controlled be a human leader would naturally attack what is weak (this is nature).
After you have the baby BUT before you come home with the baby - have someone take a blanket from the hospital that has the baby's scent on it and place it where the dogs sleep. This way they are familiar with the scent before the baby comes home.
Also do NOT bring the baby to the dog - hold the baby and have your husband have the dog (one at a time) on leash and bring the dog towards you enough to where the dog starts smelling the air - but not close enough that the dog would be able to touch you if it lunged. If you bring the baby to the dog - the dog can see this as you giving the baby to the dog - not the thing we want!
Also - I would demand that the dogs stay out of the baby's room - dogs like to get into toys and things that smell - like diapers - also it sets up boundaries in the dogs mind that the baby is more important than the dog, which is what you want.
When you start taking walks with the baby in the stroller - have your husband walk the dogs so they are behind you and the baby is out in front - this reinforces the "baby is a pack leader".
As far as childhood allergies - if you keep everything super sterile you can actually cause your child's immune system to over-react to all things - causing allergies. It is commonly notec among several studies that young children should be around pets early to prevent allergies.
Congratulations!
2007-09-14 07:27:21 · answer #2 · answered by Professional in FL 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should start the couch training now, before you have the baby, so they are trained for when the baby comes. Just realize they are going to be confused. They have been allowed on the couch before, so they won't understand why they aren't now. When you see them on the couch, tell them "down" firmly and gently push them off the couch. Give them a treat once they are down. Keep at it, and soon they will learn that "down" means off the couch, and after that they won't get on the couch at all.
Don't let the dogs in the baby's room. Keep it as an off limits room for the baby's safety.
You should let the dogs sniff and even lick the baby, but make sure to keep a very close eye on them. Some dogs can get jealous, so look for signs of aggression. Not trying to scare you. If you keep the dogs away it will increase the frustration and they will think of the baby as some "forbidden object" which will just create confusion and curiosity. It will allow the dogs to bond with the baby as well, which will calm things down.
As for the allergies, there isn't much you can do besides vacuum. Most babies are not born with allergies and some studies also suggest that being immersed in an environment with potential allergies such as dog and cat dander decreases the risk for allergy development in the future.
2007-09-14 07:24:45 · answer #3 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really can only tell you what my parents did when they brought me home (21 years ago, but trust me, I hear the story very often as an only child.) They had a miniature schnauzer.
They were so worried, but he loved me right away. My mom always let him put his head on her stomach, and I would kick at him. They think he knew that I was coming.
He slept in my room every night. They didn't use the baby monitor they had. He alerted them to every noise. I see no problem letting a dog sleep in the baby's room unless there is an allergy problem or the dog seems aggressive.
Mugsy and I played ALL the time on the furniture ... the best pictures of me as a baby are on the bed or couch with him.
I also have a friend who just had a child ... the family dog (who has always been very spoiled and used to being #1) immediately became very protective of the child and is really good with the baby.
I'm NOT a mother, but I honestly think the best thing to do is to introduce the dogs and child slowly and ALWAYS supervised ... but you might be surprised at how quickly the dogs fall in love with your new baby.
Honestly, I think it's worse when the baby becomes mobile. S/he WILL tug at the dog, try to use the dog to balance, etcetera.
2007-09-14 07:21:33 · answer #4 · answered by cargirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Q.)My question is more along the lines of... What kind of new rules should I have with my dogs?
A,)Keep a three foot parameter around baby, babies room, babies clothing, toys, or belongings. Your dogs will discover the baby/ babies items by smell, then when they get used to being calm submissive around the babies smell, they will immediately become calm submissiive around the smell in the future. Take your dogs for regular walks to keep them in a calm submissive state of mind, before you introduce each new item or smell. Take them for a very long productive walk before they are brought into the home to meet baby for the first time. Productive means being walked, not walking the owner.
Q.) Not letting pets up on furniture
A.) You can still let them on the furniture but make sure you remove them every once in a while to make sure they know who the leader is or they will dominate in every way possible. Place the babies toy on the furniture beside them, make sure they notice it then ask them to get down, and follow through. Make sure again that the dog is in a calm submissive state of mind while teaching a new technique.
Q.)Whether or not to let the dogs in the baby's room.
A.)Do not allow dog to enter the room at first until you are sure that they understand to be calm submissive. Make sure they remain at the door and do not enter until then. Make sure you are consistent.
Q.)Should I let the dogs sniff at the baby or make them stay away?
A.) They may smell the baby at a 3 foot distance. While in a calm submissive state of mind. They have to removed from the situation if they become tense or excited. Wagging there tail and standing still is not excited. Jumpin and moving around uncontrollably is excited. Tense is when the ears stand up and they are oddly still.
Q.) What are some things I can do to prevent allergies? The baby will be coming from a sterile environment to a home with 3 dogs!
A.) Do not overly clean things, allow the babies immune system to build up the tolerance. Since you are already not allowing the dogs within 3 feet of any item, you shouldn't really have a problem.
Feel free to email for any further advice. TiffannieAlvarez@yahoo.com
2007-09-14 07:34:10 · answer #5 · answered by Tiffannie A 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to start enforcing the 'no getting on the furniture' rule so they get used to not being allowed up there. Also, many people do not allow the dogs in the baby's room for a few days if they are acting up or barking when the baby cries. Maybe try getting them to sit outside the baby's room (door open so they can see in but do not let them in when you and the baby are in there) for 3 days and then when they settle down to the new change, allow them in.
I think it's best to let them smell the baby (maybe just the leg of the baby so they don't get next to it's face) because dogs get to know eachother and people from scent.
Good luck and congratulations on the soon to be new family member!
Also, when you walk the dogs- keep them behind the baby stroller so they understand the baby is just like you and your husband- and higher in the pack than the dogs.
2007-09-14 07:23:21 · answer #6 · answered by Madison 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister had HUGE dogs when she was pregnant and had the same concerns. She decided to introduce the baby, see how each dog reacted and make a decision.
It turned out that each of her dogs were very nurturing, but she NEVER left the baby alone with the dogs. She tried not to change things up too much for the dogs, to prevent jealousy. She just kept the dogs from jumping on the crib and did not allow them in the baby's room, only because they are like horses and tracked all kinds of stuff in the house.
Her husband took one of the baby's t shirts home the day before the baby came home. He gave it to the dogs to allow them to get "acquainted" with the new arrival.
If you have carpet, try a vacuum with a hepa filter (I think that's what they're called) and use bleach for cleaning.
After all of that...it turned out that my sister's cat flipped out. The dogs loved the baby, but her cat didn't want any males (dogs, cats, husband) anywhere near the baby or her and the cat severely attacked her husband...whoddathunkit?
BTW, congrats on the baby!
2007-09-14 07:22:33 · answer #7 · answered by raticals.com 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations !!! and please dont exclude the pets from the babies room. The dog dander (alergens) are in the air already so making a room that they have previously had access to toboo, will not be good for them. Not allowing them on furniture is a big thing. They will dislike this thing that makes u yell at them to get down from furniture they are used to sitting on.
The best thing i ever did was "give" the baby to them. make it ours not something that u protect from them. Also, it has been proven with many trials, that infants that are kept from alergens are more apt to acquire allergies than babies who are exposed to them and are allowed to develop antigens against allergins. if the dogs lick the baby, wipe him off when they are done. try not in the mouth but if it happens NEVER yell at the dogs about the babe, they will resent him then u have a problem. It sounds like u r preparing just fine, enjoy/
2007-09-14 07:26:08 · answer #8 · answered by Pam B 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what a lucky baby to have doggies to love and learn from.
Let the dogs on the furniture.
Let the dogs in the baby's room - with supervision - otherwise a baby-gate at the door is fine.
Let the dogs sniff the baby - with supervision
Talk with your Pediatrician about allergies
In the wild, wolves use lower-status wolves as baby sitters and care givers. So as alpha - with a new puppy/cub - the dogs will expect to be included as helpers - with your supervision.
I did this with my own son when he was born - and let the horses sniff him too! They were really excited at the "people foal" Today my 22 year old son is a natural with animals - and although is Dad is allergic - he isn't.
2007-09-14 07:22:08 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wait till each the little one and the puppies are in a relaxed temper after which, carry the little one in a n open room with a few toys, then, take the puppies in on harnesses, or collars and leashes, make certain it's an improved leash so if the puppies suggests aggression, you'll quit the puppy, and pull him instantly, however make certain to introduce one puppy at a time even though, the little one would get beaten, and cry and scream and scare the puppies and the puppies would chunk, snarl, or do something else to get the little one to quit. Also, make certain that your puppies get tons of concentration too, or, if they do not, they are going to do something to eliminate the little one, and I am certain you DO NOT desire that going down. Good Luck! P.S and congrats at the little one!
2016-09-05 14:15:38 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋