introducing protective dog to baby..

I have 2 cocker spaniels who are both 4 years old and the one is very protective of me. He doesnt like men or other dogs, just his brother. I do not believe he will give our DD a problem, b/c she is a part of DH and I. Any suggestions or experience with introducing your dog to your newborn? Ive heard of things like sending DH home from the hospital with DD blanket, wearing familiar lotions that the baby will be wearing.. and things like that. TIA for your suggestions/experince!

Re: introducing protective dog to baby..

Bringing home the babys scent on a a blanket is a great idea. When we brought home our DD we just placed the infant seat on the floor and let our Labrador smell her. Our lab (like most labs) is very friendly and non-aggressive and we knew that the baby would be just fine. Still, we never left the baby unattended with the dog. Our dog was perplexed, but not jealous and within a few days was sleeping at the foot of the crib guarding her new "sister".

Does your dogs bite? I just ask because my SIL has two cockers spaniels and they are both nippers. They are very leary of newcomers entering the house and when entering the house you cannot pet the dogs. They must get used to your presence first. Then they are fine, they only bite when "protecting" the house.

Your vet might offer some suggestions for introducing your new little one!

Good Luck!

Re: introducing protective dog to baby..

yes, my one protective cocker is a nipper to men! If someone comes in the house he will nip at them ad if they make a sudden movement and turn around, he gets their calf! Its so annoying! I think he will be fine with our baby once she arrives though.. he is just very protective of our house and myself..sounds like your sisters 2 cockers are just like mine!

Re: introducing protective dog to baby..

I have a cocker spaniel (female) who will be 2 in June. She's an absolute doll, not an aggressive bone in her body BUT she is VERY, VERY attached to my DH and I. I know she will be a little jealous for attention when the baby comes but I'm not worried she will harm the baby, just get agitated with us. Even though the baby won't be here until September we started getting her ready for the new arrival.

We've had our friends bring their babies over and play on the floor so she can get use to them and their sounds and movement. I'm happy to say she's been great with them. She sniffs them gently and gives them a kiss . She lets them pet her and tug on on her ears and tail and she doesn't even get annoyed which I was happy to see. When she's had enough she just walks away.

When my DH or I hold the babies is when she gets mad and she barks at us for attention so we've been trying to get her use to sharing our attention with someone else. So we hold the babies a lot while petting her so she knows she is not ignored and we even bought a baby doll for when we're around the house so we can keep practicing with her. She's getting much, much better.

She's such a HUGE part of our lives and has been the only baby around here so we want to make sure she still feels loved when the baby arrives and that she is a part of this family. My DH and I have discussed that when the baby is here it will be important that we include her. For example, if I am holding the baby DH can pet her a little or vice versa. We just don't want her to feel overlooked or ignored because I would hate for her to have jealousy towards the baby. Anyway, we will keep working with her and I'm sure by September she will be ready for the baby to arrive and will hopefully love him/her as much as she does my DH and I and I think she will. Good Luck!!

Re: introducing protective dog to baby..

DH and I have a 1.5 year old German Shorthaired Pointer who is very hyper and needs lots of attention. My brother, whose dog has a similar personality, told me what my SIL's doctors told her.

1. Bring a blanket/hat home everyday from the hospital so that the dog can smell it. DON'T give it to him because he will think it is his toy. Just let him smell it and give him praise so he associates it with something good.

2. When you come home from the hospital, make sure your DH is carrying the baby, NOT you. The dog will be very excited to see you since you were gone in the hospital and he is going to want you to greet you. Let DH bring the baby into the house.

3. When you introdcue them to one another for the first time, try not to have other people in the house. Take about 30-45 minutes when you get home just to get him comfortable with the baby. Having other people there will distract the dog.

4. Always give him good praise when he sniffs and is not aggressive. He will then associate the baby with something good.

Re: introducing protective dog to baby..

Re: introducing protective dog to baby..

Here are the Dog Whisperer's Tips:

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/tips/addition_baby.php