For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

I'm curious to hear your experiences of how your dogs reacted to the new baby........especially dealing with having to share the attention, etc.

ETA: Can you please let me know the breed/age of your dog in your reply also? Thanks!

Message edited 7/24/2007 10:08:02 AM.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

Bailey was 4 1/2 when we brought DD home, Bubba was 1 1/2. (Bailey is a Rottweiler, Bubba is a puggle). We did not bring a blanket home before hand. I did walk in alone and DH followed with the baby.

Both took to her well...sniffed, were curious, and after a few weeks, very protective and in tune with her.

Bailey now gets VERY bent out of shape when either child cries and will even look for us in the house to go get the babies.

Bubba...well...he's a character. He will follow me from room to room laying down, get up, lay down, get up. Wherever we are, Bubba follows.

Also, Bailey will allow DD (18 mths old) to take her bones or toys away...from her mouth, paws, etc. and not do a thing about it. She also loves playing ball with DD....if you call it that. DD can't throw the tennis ball to ofar, but Bailey loves the attention.

DD also climbs over BOTH dogs when they are laying down. Both dogs don't mind one bit...if Bailey doesn't want to be bothered she'll let out a low growl but I've only heard her do that 1 or 2 times.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

Tiger is GREAt with the boys, he has to be in the same room as thenm when they are playing.
Now that they notice the dog, they try to pet him, or tuig his tail, ears and nose, and he seems to tolerate it.
Tiger LOVES to lick them too.
Tiger is very protective of them. If he doesnt know you, he will get in between you and the boys

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

When I had my oldest daughter, the dog we had at the time was a 4 year old English Springer Spaniel named "Dudley". He was our baby. When I walked in with Alicia, I got down on his level. He sniffed her, gave her a lick and walked away. He didn't go near her again for 4 months when she started to become more mobile.

When I had my next daughter, six years had past and "Dudley" was still with us. When I walked in with Meghan, I, again, got down on his level. He sniffed her, gave her a lick and then looked at me with a look on his face that pretty much said, "Oh no, not again". He didn't go near her again for quite a while.

He was really good with both of them and adjusted to each of them being in the house. The only problem we ever had was when Alicia was 2 and she went under the table while he was eating his biscuit. He gave a growl to warn her not do this. She should have listened to the 100 times when I told her not to.

I, now, watch my grandson and have three dogs (all Shepherd mixes). The oldest (13) just avoids him, but, the other two ( 6 and 5) really like him and he really likes them. Still, I keep them separated. I have a gate and he can see them. When he goes over, they sniff and lick him. I have never had any trouble with them and him, but, he is not my child and I will not take any chances. When they do interact, I am right there and it is only for a short period.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

Maggie is fantastic with Christopher. She was just over a year old when he came home (infact, Christopher's birthday is 4/26/07, and we got Maggie on 4/26/06!) She thinks he is her baby and wants to hang out wiht him or whomever is holding him.

A few examples:

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

With my first son we had 2 dogs. Molly was a husky/lab and was about 8 years old. Murray (blacklab) was about 3. They acknowledged his presence but wasnt bothered by him at all. They were curious, smelled him, laid near him but thats all.
With my second son, we just have Murray now and he couldnt care less.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

I have a boston terrier and he honestly didnt even care when I bought DD home.
If anything he is great with her, lets me know when she cries...does an occasional sniff and walks away.
Not on top of me when I am with her.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

No dogs, but 2 territorial cats. Both pretty much ignored the baby and would leave any room she was in. Her grandparents had/have 3 German Shepherds (all indoor) and they were/are very protective of DD...the only thing we had to watch out for was when we arrived, they would not really jump but push their way to see her, once they smelled her, they were satisfied and went away...but stood guard.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

Our dog pretty much ignored her in the beginning. She would give DD a "drive-by licking" every once in a while and then go about her business.

DD is 7 months now and our dog loves to give her kisses. DD interacts with her by laughing and shrieking when she sees her and trying to grab her. Our dog lets DD slap her hands on her back and she'll walk away if DD starts to pinch.

Our dog is a 7 year old boxer/lab (and maybe dob or rott) mix. She has never shown any tendency of being aggressive. Nevertheless, my rule is never to leave a baby alone with any dog, no matter what breed they are.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

I have a Jack Russell, she was 9 and my baby when we brought DD home.

Before DD actually came home, I stopped carrying her around, letting her on the couch, so it wouldn't be a shock and a big change when DD came home.

Before we came home, I sent a hat and blanket home for her to sniff.

When I came home, I said hello to her without baby.

We NEVER pushed her away from the baby, we didn't want to form resentment. She was curious the 1st day, smelled her, wanted to lick her.
After that she ignored her, and now that's she walking, she RUNS from her :)

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

We have two Boston Terriers and both have been great. The older, smarter one was a little nervous at first, she would sniff a lot and just watch me with Ellen, now she looks for us and curls up next to me when I'm with her. The younger one, who is not as bright, licked her foot and walked away the first day and pretty much ignores her now with the occasional lick or two. So they've both been great!

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

Scout is a lab, 9 months old - 8 months when we brought DD home. He sniffed a bit but otherwise isn't too interested. He is definitely jealous, even tho he still gets tons of attention. When I am talking to or feeding DD< he comes over and puts his nose between us. I imagine as they both get older they will interact more...

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

I had DH bring clothes DS wore at the hospital everyday so the dogs could smell them. I kept DS in another room from my little "treasures" for 3 days. They did not see him until then. They would hear him and bark. I wanted them to get adjusted too.

It's been 1 month now. I allow them to lick his feet while I hold him in my arms. They want to jump on him just because they are exited.

In regards to attention to them, I was not allowed to carry them due to the c-section. One of them was not very happy with me. But I still pet them. They are now back to "normal". Whatever that mean in our family.

ETA: you know my dogs but they are now a bit over 1 year old (still my babies though!!)

Message edited 7/24/2007 1:20:27 PM.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

My female American Bulldog was 3 1/2 when I brought our DD home. She was/is fabulous. We trained her pretty well though. I did the whole doll thing and used baby lotion on my hands all of the time while I was pregnant to get her used to the scent. We also brought a blanket home from the hospital the day before the baby came home and put it with her when she slept. She def gets less attention but she is ok with it and has shown no aggression.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

We have a shih tzu/lhasa mix and shes a yr. old and spoiled so badly. We used to rock her like a baby before the babyw as here.

The first day she was VERY interested in him, sniffing everything, barking etc...

Now she LOVES him, she crawls up next to him, tries to lick him, wants to be next to him all the time and is so gentle around him.

She still sleeps with us at night, and we give her a great deal of attention so I dont think she misses out.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?

To be honest everyone was so worried about how feebi would react when Chason was born. She is very hyper when other people are around and loves to jump on you and give kisses. Feebi has been our baby for 3 years and I was worried she wouldnt like having to share her mommy. I wasnt so much worried that she would hurt Chason or anything just that she would be so excited she would try to jump on me when I was holding him. Well feebi proved everyone wrong. If Chason cries feebi will go get her favorite toy and bring it to him. She will not jump on you if you hold him instead she waits until you sit down and she will come over to you and sniff the baby and then kiss his feet and hands. Just recently I have been letting feebi kiss Chason and I have to say he LOVES it. He laughs up a storm. They are already best friends.

Re: For parents with dogs: How did your dogs react to the new baby?