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Pets and New Baby

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tara5533
LIF Infant

Member since 11/12

182 total posts

Name:
Tara

Pets and New Baby

I have a question for mothers that have pets. I have a dog and we are excepting our first baby and wanted to know what I need to do when coming home from the hospital and having the dog be ok with the baby? I know that you need to bring home the blanket so the baby can smell the scent but anything else?

Posted 2/23/15 11:21 AM
 
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!

Member since 7/06

27915 total posts

Name:

Re: Pets and New Baby

Honestly, we didn't do much. We brought a blanket hoe from the hospital but our dog didn't really care too much about it. When we brought the baby home she seemed to just instinctively know to be calm and gentle around her. She was very sweet, very relaxed, and even protective of our DD. It was really cute.Chat Icon She's adjusted to well to having kids in the house.

Posted 2/23/15 11:38 AM
 

SLPRunner
LIF Adult

Member since 12/13

1101 total posts

Name:

Pets and New Baby

I consulted with a dog trainer before my DS was born. We didn't do the blanket thing. Would you bring over clothes of any guest that is coming to the house? The dog smelling the blanket is not going to help the dog like the baby. I mean try if you helps you feel more comfortable but it's not a prerequisite. What is important I think is to have your dog feel included and still maintain some time for him. And also create safe zones. We put up a baby gate so my dog can't go into the area of the house where the bedrooms without being invited. I live in a high ranch. My dog has been good with my baby so far but I think Making sure she still feels like a member of the family was important in that process.

Posted 2/23/15 11:54 AM
 

AngnShaun
Sisters

Member since 1/10

21015 total posts

Name:
Ang

Re: Pets and New Baby

we didnt do anything. But Jessie is an exceptionally calm dog so you have to prepare based on your dog.

Posted 2/23/15 12:14 PM
 

2boys1girl
and one more girl on the way!

Member since 5/10

2954 total posts

Name:
D

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by AngnShaun

we didnt do anything. But Jessie is an exceptionally calm dog so you have to prepare based on your dog.



This, and teach your dog boundaries even if its the sweetest dog.

Jumping up on couch, cuddling, my dog literally tries to lay on top of my kids like its her puppies. Luckily they are big now but this could be a no no for baby.
Don't trust for one minute...don't leave baby in bouncy seat on floor and go do something in kitchen etc...

Message edited 2/23/2015 12:27:37 PM.

Posted 2/23/15 12:27 PM
 

Jenn79
One more?

Member since 2/12

2410 total posts

Name:

Re: Pets and New Baby

I didn't do anything either. And my dog was only 10 months at the time. I just made sure he was able to sniff her when we brought dd in and we didn't keep dd away from him. He basically had enough after a few minutes and went on his regular day. I just made sure I never left dd alone while my dog was around for a while. But my dog is pretty tall and now weighs 80 pounds. So he could reach her wherever she was. Swing/bouncer etc.

My dog was a bit scared of dd at first like she was gonna hurt him. We taught dd what we believe is the right way to treat a dog. No hair/ear/tail pulling. To "pet nice or easy". She is now 2 1/2 and my dog fully trusts her. I still watch him, but I feel good that she knows she shouldn't be pulling or hitting anything on him etc.

Posted 2/23/15 4:41 PM
 

shellbebaby
So In Love!

Member since 8/11

1487 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Pets and New Baby

I went to a great class about this on Thursday night. It was free at Babies R Us.

The vet at the class said the blanket thing is important because its teaching the dog that the baby is part of your pack.

They say that after you come home from the hospital you should go in and greet your dog first. Then have your partner or someone else bring in the baby. Only when the dog completely calms down let him/her greet the baby. If your dog is small enough or you aren't worried he/she would hurt the baby you should let the dog sniff the baby's foot, NOT HEAD.

If you have a big dog, you should start training your dog now to not sleep in the room your baby is going to be in. This is difficult if your putting the baby in your room and the dog sleeps in there already. I have a 5lb dog so the reasons the vet said are not valid. But if you are going to co-sleep or have the baby in a bassinet that attaches to the bed, and your dog sleeps in the bed, you need to start teaching the dog now to sleep elsewhere.

Obviously never leave the baby and dog together unattended, no matter how good your dog is. As the vet who taught the class said, sometimes its not the dog you have to worry about but the baby. Because even the best dog in the world will snap if pushed enough.

I think the most important thing she said is to not put your dog in a situation where he/she associates the baby with punishment. In other words if your dog, like mine, is a lap dog, you have to keep him/her out of the room when your feeding the baby, rather then have to yell at the dog to get down when it tries to get up to you. Or if you lock the dog in the basement or outside every time you have the baby out, that would be punishment to the dog. Then the dog will begin to resent the baby.

I recommend the Babies R Us Class.

Message edited 2/23/2015 5:46:39 PM.

Posted 2/23/15 5:45 PM
 

MrsM84
LIF Adult

Member since 2/13

2352 total posts

Name:

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by shellbebaby

I went to a great class about this on Thursday night. It was free at Babies R Us.

The vet at the class said the blanket thing is important because its teaching the dog that the baby is part of your pack.

They say that after you come home from the hospital you should go in and greet your dog first. Then have your partner or someone else bring in the baby. Only when the dog completely calms down let him/her greet the baby. If your dog is small enough or you aren't worried he/she would hurt the baby you should let the dog sniff the baby's foot, NOT HEAD.

If you have a big dog, you should start training your dog now to not sleep in the room your baby is going to be in. This is difficult if your putting the baby in your room and the dog sleeps in there already. I have a 5lb dog so the reasons the vet said are not valid. But if you are going to co-sleep or have the baby in a bassinet that attaches to the bed, and your dog sleeps in the bed, you need to start teaching the dog now to sleep elsewhere.

Obviously never leave the baby and dog together unattended, no matter how good your dog is. As the vet who taught the class said, sometimes its not the dog you have to worry about but the baby. Because even the best dog in the world will snap if pushed enough.

I think the most important thing she said is to not put your dog in a situation where he/she associates the baby with punishment. In other words if your dog, like mine, is a lap dog, you have to keep him/her out of the room when your feeding the baby, rather then have to yell at the dog to get down when it tries to get up to you. Or if you lock the dog in the basement or outside every time you have the baby out, that would be punishment to the dog. Then the dog will begin to resent the baby.

I recommend the Babies R Us Class.


Can you tell me what location BRU you took this class at? I would love to go with DH and listen to what they have to say!

Posted 2/23/15 5:52 PM
 

ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides

Member since 11/12

14481 total posts

Name:
Me

Pets and New Baby

We have two cats and they were totally fine. At first they wanted nothing to do with dd, in fact one is still like that lol. The other one was like wtf when she would cry etc but now she snuggles with her.

Everyone will adjust.

Posted 2/23/15 5:52 PM
 

shellbebaby
So In Love!

Member since 8/11

1487 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by MrsM84

Posted by shellbebaby

I went to a great class about this on Thursday night. It was free at Babies R Us.

The vet at the class said the blanket thing is important because its teaching the dog that the baby is part of your pack.

They say that after you come home from the hospital you should go in and greet your dog first. Then have your partner or someone else bring in the baby. Only when the dog completely calms down let him/her greet the baby. If your dog is small enough or you aren't worried he/she would hurt the baby you should let the dog sniff the baby's foot, NOT HEAD.

If you have a big dog, you should start training your dog now to not sleep in the room your baby is going to be in. This is difficult if your putting the baby in your room and the dog sleeps in there already. I have a 5lb dog so the reasons the vet said are not valid. But if you are going to co-sleep or have the baby in a bassinet that attaches to the bed, and your dog sleeps in the bed, you need to start teaching the dog now to sleep elsewhere.

Obviously never leave the baby and dog together unattended, no matter how good your dog is. As the vet who taught the class said, sometimes its not the dog you have to worry about but the baby. Because even the best dog in the world will snap if pushed enough.

I think the most important thing she said is to not put your dog in a situation where he/she associates the baby with punishment. In other words if your dog, like mine, is a lap dog, you have to keep him/her out of the room when your feeding the baby, rather then have to yell at the dog to get down when it tries to get up to you. Or if you lock the dog in the basement or outside every time you have the baby out, that would be punishment to the dog. Then the dog will begin to resent the baby.

I recommend the Babies R Us Class.


Can you tell me what location BRU you took this class at? I would love to go with DH and listen to what they have to say!



Bohemia, but I think they hold it in different stores. I know the presenter said she usually does them in Commack but they wanted to hold one down in Bohemia. Call your local store. They can look up for you when and where there are upcoming classes. I know they have one promotions/events manager for all of Long Island because I met her at the Pet Class.

The handouts alone were worth going. They may have been better then the talk.

Message edited 2/23/2015 6:31:08 PM.

Posted 2/23/15 6:30 PM
 

SLPRunner
LIF Adult

Member since 12/13

1101 total posts

Name:

Pets and New Baby

"I think the most important thing she said is to not put your dog in a situation where he/she associates the baby with punishment. In other words if your dog, like mine, is a lap dog, you have to keep him/her out of the room when your feeding the baby, rather then have to yell at the dog to get down when it tries to get up to you. Or if you lock the dog in the basement or outside every time you have the baby out, that would be punishment to the dog. Then the dog will begin to resent the baby. "

This. My dog trainer also said this. This is what we've tried to do. If you never let the dog near your baby they will associate it with something bad. We put up the additional baby gate (for the dog) before my DS was born. This way my dog was used to not going to that spot. But we did get her used to being in the baby's room. We did that because it was room we never used before and we didn't want her feeling weird that all of a sudden we are spending time in this new room. My dog was a rescue and a little anxious at times. She's become a great dog and is good so far with my 8 month old.

Posted 2/23/15 9:50 PM
 

tara5533
LIF Infant

Member since 11/12

182 total posts

Name:
Tara

Pets and New Baby

Thank you everyone so much for the advice and I am going to call bru and ask about those classes

Posted 2/23/15 10:14 PM
 

DaniJude
You're My Home <3

Member since 11/06

14815 total posts

Name:
Danielle

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by shellbebaby

I went to a great class about this on Thursday night. It was free at Babies R Us.

The vet at the class said the blanket thing is important because its teaching the dog that the baby is part of your pack.

They say that after you come home from the hospital you should go in and greet your dog first. Then have your partner or someone else bring in the baby. Only when the dog completely calms down let him/her greet the baby. If your dog is small enough or you aren't worried he/she would hurt the baby you should let the dog sniff the baby's foot, NOT HEAD.

If you have a big dog, you should start training your dog now to not sleep in the room your baby is going to be in. This is difficult if your putting the baby in your room and the dog sleeps in there already. I have a 5lb dog so the reasons the vet said are not valid. But if you are going to co-sleep or have the baby in a bassinet that attaches to the bed, and your dog sleeps in the bed, you need to start teaching the dog now to sleep elsewhere.

Obviously never leave the baby and dog together unattended, no matter how good your dog is. As the vet who taught the class said, sometimes its not the dog you have to worry about but the baby. Because even the best dog in the world will snap if pushed enough.

I think the most important thing she said is to not put your dog in a situation where he/she associates the baby with punishment. In other words if your dog, like mine, is a lap dog, you have to keep him/her out of the room when your feeding the baby, rather then have to yell at the dog to get down when it tries to get up to you. Or if you lock the dog in the basement or outside every time you have the baby out, that would be punishment to the dog. Then the dog will begin to resent the baby.

I recommend the Babies R Us Class.



We did this and it was excellent.

The whole "making baby a part of the pack" is the key to success.

Now, if someone could just clue my one dog (I have two) into the fact that she is NOT the mother, I am the mother -- then, we'd be great.

She is so protective over my son and guards him with her life. Granted, she is only fifteen pounds so her ability to protect is limited but her DESIRE to protect is off the chart Chat Icon

Posted 2/24/15 10:13 AM
 

DaniJude
You're My Home <3

Member since 11/06

14815 total posts

Name:
Danielle

Re: Pets and New Baby

I have to post these -- I only have three saved on this computer but a ton at home of Charlotte, my dog who thinks she gave birth to my son, who stands guard at Julian's side AT ALL TIMES...

You can't see it but the doorway and entry way into the den is next to the dog -- so she stands in between him and the entryway, on guard, while he plays. If he moves, she moves with him. And just sits next to him.
External Image

At night, while he sleeps in his crib, she stations herself in his "anywhere" chair from PBK... She is always "on duty"...
External Image

Every once in a while she will pause for a break to be pet/loved...
External Image

When we first came home from the hospital I slept in my bed and Julian in the bassinet next to my bed. Charlotte would sit on my bed and face his bassinet and every once in a while get up and perch herself so she could see right inside and check on him -- throughout the whole night. And if she stood on her hind legs she was just tall enough to stick her face in the bassinet and make sure he was OK. If he whimpered, cried, anything she would bark in my face and wake me up Chat Icon VERY sweet but babies make lots of noises during their sleep that don't need my attention!! LOL so yeah for a while it was constant where she'd get my attention when it wasn't really necessary. She judges you too LOL she looks at you like, are you going to tend to him or what?! Chat Icon

Posted 2/24/15 10:30 AM
 

bunnyluck
LIF Adult

Member since 1/14

3196 total posts

Name:

Pets and New Baby

Danijude, that is so adorable!!!! Your son and doggie are such cuties!

Posted 2/24/15 11:12 AM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by bunnyluck

Danijude, that is so adorable!!!! Your son and doggie are such cuties!



OMG I can't take it.
How she is standing guard watching the door.

That is amazing!




Chat Icon

Posted 2/24/15 11:15 AM
 

ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..

Member since 5/12

7482 total posts

Name:
Mama

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by bunnyluck

Danijude, that is so adorable!!!! Your son and doggie are such cuties!



OMG I can't take it.
How she is standing guard watching the door.

That is amazing!




Chat Icon



OMG sooooo cute!!!!!!!!! Chat Icon Chat Icon

Posted 2/24/15 11:17 AM
 

DaniJude
You're My Home <3

Member since 11/06

14815 total posts

Name:
Danielle

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by ThreeforTea

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by bunnyluck

Danijude, that is so adorable!!!! Your son and doggie are such cuties!



OMG I can't take it.
How she is standing guard watching the door.

That is amazing!

Chat Icon



OMG sooooo cute!!!!!!!!! Chat Icon Chat Icon



I'm so lucky - she's such a good girl, neurotic lol, but good.

She was SO worked up with feeling she had to guard him when he first came home, she wouldn't sleep. It was like she thought aliens were going to take over the house. She would shake!! I had a newborn who was STTN but my farking DOG wasn't STTN!! So, until she calmed down a bit I went to my Vet and he prescribed her an anti-anxiety medicine. I was the new, first time mom but my DOG had anxiety over worrying about the baby Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon After about two months she was able to be weened off the meds Chat Icon

I should try and find the other pics - every pic I have of him playing or doing anything contains him, a toy and HER standing guard. I had to start telling her, Char! Move over!! You're in EVERY pic!!!! Chat Icon

Message edited 2/24/2015 11:37:28 AM.

Posted 2/24/15 11:35 AM
 

AngnShaun
Sisters

Member since 1/10

21015 total posts

Name:
Ang

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by DaniJude

Posted by ThreeforTea

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by bunnyluck

Danijude, that is so adorable!!!! Your son and doggie are such cuties!



OMG I can't take it.
How she is standing guard watching the door.

That is amazing!

Chat Icon



OMG sooooo cute!!!!!!!!! Chat Icon Chat Icon



I'm so lucky - she's such a good girl, neurotic lol, but good.

She was SO worked up with feeling she had to guard him when he first came home, she wouldn't sleep. It was like she thought aliens were going to take over the house. She would shake!! I had a newborn who was STTN but my farking DOG wasn't STTN!! So, until she calmed down a bit I went to my Vet and he prescribed her an anti-anxiety medicine. I was the new, first time mom but my DOG had anxiety over worrying about the baby Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon After about two months she was able to be weened off the meds Chat Icon

I should try and find the other pics - every pic I have of him playing or doing anything contains him, a toy and HER standing guard. I had to start telling her, Char! Move over!! You're in EVERY pic!!!! Chat Icon



i got lucky too, Jessie is insanely tolerant... Hailey lays on her constantly. But when she was first born Jessie really wanted nothing to do with her

Posted 2/24/15 11:47 AM
 

alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!

Member since 5/09

18388 total posts

Name:
Allison

Pets and New Baby

I didn't do anything except bring something home from the hospital.

We knew our dog would be ok. He is super mellow and very tolerant. THey are best buds now!!!

Posted 2/24/15 3:00 PM
 

shellbebaby
So In Love!

Member since 8/11

1487 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Pets and New Baby

I'm really worried about it because Candy gets jealous of my computer.

Posted 2/24/15 6:38 PM
 

DaniJude
You're My Home <3

Member since 11/06

14815 total posts

Name:
Danielle

Re: Pets and New Baby

Bump - I had to add this.

Just last night I walk in the living room to take DS and put him to bed and there she is... AGAIN... like always, standing guard LOL.

She should work at Buckingham Palace!!!

External Image

Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon


ETA - I feel like he's thinking, can this mutt give me a little personal space?!!!

Message edited 2/25/2015 12:23:19 PM.

Posted 2/25/15 12:22 PM
 

ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..

Member since 5/12

7482 total posts

Name:
Mama

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by DaniJude

Bump - I had to add this.

Just last night I walk in the living room to take DS and put him to bed and there she is... AGAIN... like always, standing guard LOL.

She should work at Buckingham Palace!!!

IMAGE

Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon


ETA - I feel like he's thinking, can this mutt give me a little personal space?!!!



your son and doggie are just tooo stinkin cute.....LOVE!!

Posted 2/25/15 12:24 PM
 

DaniJude
You're My Home <3

Member since 11/06

14815 total posts

Name:
Danielle

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by ThreeforTea

Posted by DaniJude

Bump - I had to add this.

Just last night I walk in the living room to take DS and put him to bed and there she is... AGAIN... like always, standing guard LOL.

She should work at Buckingham Palace!!!

IMAGE

Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon


ETA - I feel like he's thinking, can this mutt give me a little personal space?!!!



your son and doggie are just tooo stinkin cute.....LOVE!!



I feel like I can hear the dog going, NO ONE gets to see the Wizard!!! Chat Icon

Posted 2/25/15 12:43 PM
 

ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..

Member since 5/12

7482 total posts

Name:
Mama

Re: Pets and New Baby

Posted by DaniJude

Posted by ThreeforTea

Posted by DaniJude

Bump - I had to add this.

Just last night I walk in the living room to take DS and put him to bed and there she is... AGAIN... like always, standing guard LOL.

She should work at Buckingham Palace!!!

IMAGE

Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon


ETA - I feel like he's thinking, can this mutt give me a little personal space?!!!



your son and doggie are just tooo stinkin cute.....LOVE!!



I feel like I can hear the dog going, NO ONE gets to see the Wizard!!! Chat Icon



Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon

Posted 2/25/15 1:33 PM
 
 

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