Ok, I usually just ask goofy/fun questions but for once I have a real question.
My wife is 20 weeks pregnant. We have 2 small dogs at home. They are pretty well behaved but can be pretty playful.
Are there things that we can do before the baby is born to help get them used to having a baby around? Any thoughts or suggestions??
2007-11-02 07:08:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Just let them sniff the baby when you bring it home.
When my niece was brought home from the hospital as I told you I raised her, I just sat on the sofa and let my doggies sniff away. They were a bit startled at first but they warmed up quickly. They'd get really upset when she cried and run and dance around the crib until she stopped crying. And if I had the baby on the sofa they had to sniff and try to lick her ...Also I had onea those baby chair things that its on the floor and y little Cookie (whos 3lbs) would get in it and snuggle up! It was kinda cute. I'll tell you they were the first to hide if she needed changed, those TRAITORS!
2007-11-02 08:58:40 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Holly Cookie Starr™♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is after your wife has the baby take home a blanket or a shirt the baby has worn and place it in a room with the dogs to let them get used to the smell of the baby. Then like one of the others said you carry in the baby. Next interduce the dogs to the baby and remember to involve the dogs as that way they still feel apart of the family.
2007-11-02 14:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by eastJackson_98 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, one thing my hubby did, tho it was when I was in the hospital right after baby was born, was to bring home the first hat our baby wore right after birth. The dogs were able to smell and get familiar with the scent for a day or two before mom brought the baby home. The next thing we did was when I did come home with baby, my hubby stayed in the car with the baby and I went into the home alone to greet the dogs for a few minutes.
We also had the baby's bedroom all set up to go several months before the due date. All our animals were permitted in and out of that room for regular inspections.
Just remember that a new baby is going to keep you a bit busy and you still need to take time for your dogs and reassure them that they still can have thier time with you.
2007-11-02 14:17:10 · answer #3 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is obviously your first one so you wouldn't really know how your dogs react to a baby in the house. You never know until you try. Try some baby laughs, cry's, giggles to see how they respond to them. Are they annoyed? Angry? Or just plain don't bother? Dogs will get used to having a baby in the house. Dogs have different personalities for being gentle, soft, quiet. If you have any friends or relatives that have baby's you can do a little test run.
2007-11-02 14:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Set up the baby area well before the baby comes home. If you don't want the dogs in the nursery then put the baby gate up to keep them out NOW so they don't associate the 'ousting' with the baby coming home. If you're going to not want them up on the furniture teach them they can't go on it now.
When you bring the baby home, have someone other than your wife carry the baby so she can greet the dogs. They'll miss her and be really excited to see her. It might help if you bring home the babies receiving blanket for them to smell before the baby actually comes home.
2007-11-02 14:13:28 · answer #5 · answered by fluffy_aliens 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Call around to local vets/trainers or the local shelter and see if there is someone in the area that specializes in preparing dogs for the arrival of a baby.
Otherwise, just google "dog" and "baby" and you'll get plenty of pages with advice on the subject.
2007-11-02 14:13:51 · answer #6 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People suggested to me to let them smell the baby things so they understand the new smell. Let them sniff the nursery and try not to yell if they go in there. When the baby comes, let them smell him/her while you're holding the baby. They may get confused when the baby cries or makes noises, but within time should be fine. Mine would even come get me if the baby woke up and I didn't hear her.
2007-11-02 14:42:51 · answer #7 · answered by JustMe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on the new baby. There is a great resource called Dogs and Storks that offers classes, tips and other suggestions for adding a baby to the family:
http://dogsandstorks.com/
2007-11-02 14:15:35 · answer #8 · answered by K9Resqer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
After the baby is born bring home a hat, blanket outfir whatever from the baby and let them sniff it, so when you do bring home the baby from the hospital it will be a familiar smell to to them. They'll be nosey at first, then they will let up.
2007-11-02 14:17:23 · answer #9 · answered by shorte716 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would research the type of dog you have to find out if it is baby friendly. Know what you are having yet?
2007-11-02 14:40:01 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋