Preparing *spoiled* dogs for baby

I am three months pregnant and I have two dogs. Both are adopted mixed breed dogs.

My dogs are my babies and I love them SO SO much. My DH says I would choose them over him (and I probably would LOL). They both sleep in my bed, which I would like to break before the baby is born. We bought them beds but they only lay in them when I'm awake. DH is NYPD and works over nights. I wake up about a half hour after he comes to bed. Makes me feel like I'm not sleeping alone.

I really want a smooth transition when the baby comes. I would love to have dogs who "protect" my baby.

I am not worried about my older dog (She'll be 3 when the baby is born), Clara. She is very mild and calm and listens well.

My little dog, Ellie, will be 1 1/2 years old when the baby is born. She is a jack russell mix and she is very excitable. She is also very protective of me. She will nip at DH if she thinks he is "threatening" me. It really is a soft nip and then she licks his hand. On xmas eve, she starting nipping at his brothers pants when he was dancing with his mom.

I really don't have the money for professional training for her. I would never leave the baby alone with them. Does anyone have tips on how I can make it an easy transition?

Preparing *spoiled* dogs for baby

I also have a very spoiled puppy. Before the baby was born we set up some of his stuff so the dog would get used to it. DH brought blankets home from the hospital and let the puppy sniff them. He even slept on them!
When we brought the baby home, I made sure to give my puppy a big greeting. We let Cosmo sniff the baby and give him kisses. We don't yell at him when he gets too close and never ignore him. He's been very good with the baby so far.

Preparing *spoiled* dogs for baby

I would get them use to the sound of a baby crying too. so they get use to the noise. Our cat and dog would run away when DD cried, now only the cat runs away and our dog sits by our feet while we sooth her. Our cat sits under her RnP when she is sitting in and our dog will follow her around (when we carry her).

Re: Preparing *spoiled* dogs for baby

Congrats on your pregnancy. I do want to start off by saying that it may take some time for your dogs to adjust. I will tell you what we did to prepare our dogs who are very spoiled and were around for years before my DD came along (and oh, they are not good with kids). My dogs slept in my bed before DD and even when she was born, and still now. I never saw a need to change that, especially since I didn't let my DD sleep in my bed as an infant or even toddler.

What we did was DH took home baby blankets when DD was born and let them sniff it, etc. We also set up all large toys, items, etc weeks before DD was born to get our dogs used to all that extra stuff. They hate things that make noise, music, etc so we were most worried about that. So we gradually got them used to that stuff before DD arrived. This is my biggest suggestion to you. We allowed them in DDs new room, to get used to that too.

What we also did was when DD was born, my parents stayed at my house during the day so my dogs were not alone. DH slept home at night, did not sleep at the hospital with me. Honestly I saw no need for that. Staff takes great care of you, and DH needed a good ngiht sleep. And my dogs needed some consistency. So thats another suggestion I have.

When we brought DD home, I went in to greet my dogs first, since they hadnt seen me in about 5 days. I let them get over that excitement, then we brought DD in in her carseat and let them sniff. They were like sharks circling the car seat checking her out.


I have to tell you my dogs are NOT good with children, never been around children. Considering that, they adjusted pretty well b/c we made sure to not push them aside, allow them around us while keeping DD safe, allow them in DDs room (they could not reach her crib, etc). They never felt left out. I felt so sad for them, but I am sure it was more me than them feeling that. In time, all worked out and now my DD is 4 and its like she was always with them. Time flies and it all works out if you love your dogs enough. We had challenges b/c my dogs have bitten ...my male is a nipper when playing, gets excited (such as dancing or if my DD screams) but he loves my DD (hes just rough and crazy, but loving). She loves them. It melts my heart and we are one big happy family.

I do want to comment on one thing you said...you said you would like your dog to be protective of your DC. Ideally this is not a good thing, a dog who becomes protective. This is actually not considered a trait you would want to encourage b/c you would not want your dog getting aggressive, especially with strangers and friends of your child's in the future etc or even with your other more submissive dog. A baby in the house can is definitely an adjustment for dogs and so you have to know that the dogs can respond in ways that are often exacerbated under stress or change, just as humans would.

We did have a trainer come one time just to teach us how to control some things. It was very helpful but even still you can read up on certain things on the web.

At this point, my DD being 4, and pretty much when she turned 2, she learned when to leave them alone. Plus she is much larger than them and she knows how to treat them so there are less concerns over her being alone with them. It gets so much easier in time.

Any ? feel free to ask.

Message edited 1/3/2013 11:47:03 PM.

Preparing *spoiled* dogs for baby

honestly, you don't want a dog to protect the baby. It's a much happier place when they just coexist in the same household and go about their own business. We didn't prep my dog at all and she was never around kids. We did the whole bring home the blanket thing and that was it. I held the baby on the couch and if she came over I just had her sit on the couch and I would pet her while holding the baby. I never encouraged her to lick or smell the baby or anything like that. If I filled up her bowls, I brought the baby... if I let her outside I walked with the baby... little things like that. I also got a ton of "busy" toys and treats for whenever I needed her out of our space. I also got her used to being gated off before the baby came so it wasn't new. If I had to do something and couldn't keep an eye on both of them then I would gate her off in the den with a toy or treat. Now she's so used to being in there that she sends herself there when she needs a break. DH and I went to a pet and baby class at Destination Maternity that gave helpful tips. For the 1st month I had my dog walker come still to take her for a walk when my husband was at work

Message edited 1/5/2013 9:25:35 PM.