Help, I'm worried about my pets' reaction..

[tricia]

Hi everyone,
I posted alittle earlier about book suggestions and touched on this, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions about helping my house dogs (two boxers) adjust to the new arrival? They are six and five years old, and very active. The younger one I am not worried about much, he's pretty laid back overall. But the older one is real hyper. I'm not sure how to introduce a baby into the house, I don't want to set a bad first impression since that is so important with the dogs. Anybody go through something similar with their pets? I would welcome any suggestions (except those that say to put my dogs out or get rid of them!! -Which I have heard, believe it or not.)

Thanks,
Tricia

 

[tchersue]

We have 2 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and a chocolate Lab...

I think the first thing you ought to do is to either "mat" train them or get them used to a place in the house where they may be occasionally isolated when you need the dogs to be away from the kids. My dogs are great with the kids, but they like to lick on them a little over-exhuberantly at times, and that's not ideal when I want to have the baby on the blanket on the floor for tummy time... or when Aaron is playing and I don't have time to supervise properly.

All of our dogs are trained on voice and hand commands, and so that is very helpful.

Have your dh bring something home (like a baby blanket) with the baby's scent on it before you get home and let the dogs sniff it, carry it around, etc. Then, when you get home, you come in first and greet them without the baby. Let them sniff you (they'll probably notice that you smell different due to hormone changes and the lochea) and do their little happy dance (they'll miss you, too! ) before awhile before your dh brings in the baby. Then, if your dogs are trustworthy, have dh bring in the baby in a carrier and let each dog greet the baby individually... you don't want them both coming at the baby at the same time because that might spur some competition. We let the dogs sniff and lick the baby... they each got a little silly butt wiggle going (waggy-waggy ) and seemed to understand what was up.

I used to nurse Aaron with my female Chessie at my feet or by my side every morning because she is the most jealous of our dogs and the most bonded to me. I thought that if she smelled the milk, she'd better understand that this was my "puppy."

You may find that you'll need to put the dogs out or in their own space more frequently. This is fine so long as you give them their own attention, too. I usually toss the ball or have the dogs in one or two at a time the dogs when one or both of the kids nap because they get more attention then. It was easier with just one baby, but I also used to train the dogs with the baby in the Baby Bjorn. I'd tuck the treats in with the baby sometimes, so that the dogs might associate the goodies and training (which they love)with the baby.

Our dogs have adjusted just fine. They don't get nearly the attention they used to, but they do well with the kids, and they have a good life...

Oh... one other thing to consider... even if your dogs show no food aggression now, you'll want to start feeding them in an isolated location and put their water in a place that a crawling baby will never want to go. Dogs should be able to eat in peace... and since dogs are animals with instincts, you never want to put them in a position where they feel like their food supply is being challenged... in a dog pack, the more mature dogs will "alpha roll" a pup (i.e., roll them over and hold them down by the neck and/or nip them in the nose) who tries to eat before it is their turn... Our dogs really don't seem to mind humans around when the eat, but we feed them on the porch just the same. Better safe than sorry!
Susan

 

[tricia]

Thanks, Susan!

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer -as you can imagine, I want my whole "Family" to get along and love each other!! Your detailed response has given me alot of great ideas, and I thank you for that.

As an aside, was that you with the articles in this month's Pregnancy magazine? I must say that those two articles are why I bought the magazine (Hey, when you're a week overdue you debate whether there's anything in there you haven't read about yet!). But both articles spoke to delivery techniques, which I'm really trying to ingrain into my brain right now!! SO, if that was you, another thanks -Feel free to let the editors know I bought their magazine on the content of your articles!!

BTW, it sound's like your "dog family" has adapted well, I think mine will too! (I'll try to keep everyone updated,when the baby decides to make an entrance!)

Tricia

 

[tchersue]

RE: Thanks, Susan!

That was me (Susan Hyde)... thanks for the nice note...

And I hope you've had that baby by now! Keep us informed!
Susan

 

[tricia]

Isabella is Here!!!

Yes, Susan - that baby is here!! She arrived October 10 and she's beautiful!! We came home on the 12th, and the dogs have been great with her. As for Isabella, she slept through the entire first meeting! I'm going to post an update with all the details....

Tricia

 

[tchersue]

RE: Isabella is Here!!!

Congratulations!!! Enjoy every second!
Susan