Mums to be that are dog owners sharing wisdom and stories

[Slippysnow]

Hi everybody.

I thought I could start a thread for dog owners that are at various stages of pregnancy. Reason being I was slightly nervous about how my dog (4yo staffy) would behave around me during pregnancy. He's pretty energetic and is welcome on the sofa he's a very oversized lap dog to be honest. So far so good, I do sheild my tummy occasionally.

We bought the book telling your dog your pregnant which I recommend. But would love to hear other people's experiences and share ideas of how to make the new arrival fit in smoothly with our pups

The thread May or may not be successful... Time will tell

[Lyftiduft]

our dog used to sleep on my belly when I was pregnant with DS, even when he was kicking madly. She has known about later pregnancies very early on (couple of mcs), the last one I think she knew before me as she kept putting her head on my tummy.

Assume you've read about when you come back from hospital (assuming you're not having a hb) that you pay attention to the dog, and DH/DP carries baby. I was in for almost 2 days and DH brought home one of the babygrows DS wore in hospital for her to smell, and then she had a good supervised sniff of him when he came home.

The biggest challenge was walking her in the early days when everything was chaotic and day/night were one and the same!

We gave her treats and fuss when she was calm around DS too. She accepted him very quickly and they're now best friends (DS is 2.4) :)

[Steffanoid]

I'm 33+6 we have a JRT cross dog whs about 3.5 years old, he's been so good with me through the pg, he's just as protective as always but plays with my DP more than me cause he knows we can't chase around, he still comes and lies with me and cuddles, just saves the boisterous bit for DP, am planning on sending a used baby grow home to go in the dogs bed, but I have every confidence hell be fine, he's a very good dog, my mums Irish setter is a big wuss with my sisters DC and runs away every time he makes any kind of noise!

[Slippysnow]

Lyftiduft your dog sounds amazing, like one of those specially trained dogs that detect illness etc. resting on the bump is such a lovely image. Only happened once so far but to be fair I don't have much a bump.

I've read about bringing back the baby grows if poss, glad to hear it worked.

I never really thought of the changes to routine night feed and nightime awakenings that's something to think about. Dog's crated at night in the kitchen but I'm pretty sure hearing movement/cries will confuse him.

[RememberingMyPFEs]

Thanks for starting this thread - we have a slightly utterly mental Cocker spaniel and I'm 27 weeks tomorrow. He was a bit funny with me in week 6/7 ish (I think my smell changed) but hes fine now - if anything slightly more obedient when walking with me. He has been nippy in the past, mainly around food and we crate or muzzle him (purely precautionary) when new guests or more than a couple of guests are around. We did discuss re-homing when we first got the BFP but we are hoping he will be fine.
What was the book you mentioned?

[shufflehopstep]

My dog seemed fairly oblivious throughout my pregnancy and was pretty unmoved when my little girl was born. She's 11 months old now and the dog has recently decided he likes her - especially when she is being fed. He's very patient with her and gentle and always checks with us before going near her which is good. He's getting on and struggles with his back legs so we need to be careful she doesn't hurt him as she gets a bit more mobile.

[Slippysnow]

It's called telling your dog you're pregnant. I got the kindle edition but the paper back comes with a cd with sounds like baby crying/laughing/bathing. It's very simple and quick to read.

[Slippysnow]

Sorry: Tell Your Dog You're Pregnant: An essential guide for dog owners who are expecting a baby (Paperback)
Dr Lewis Kirkham 1

[Slippysnow]

Also remembering it has a kind of test to see how your dog reacts to the baby sounds and methods it advises - it then categorises them and gives you further advice/steps to take

[Tallyra]

This thread is great - I have a 4yo staffy too and am TTC #1. I had a couple of mcs in the past and he seems to have been aware of the change in me whilst I was pg, but not quite enough to tone down the bouncing. he too likes sofa snuggles and that was where he seemed gentler, when his head was nearest my belly. I'll be looking into this mire when we manage a bfp.

[SeriousStuff]

Hi - I started a thread on this about a month ago. Here is the link in case it helps! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/a1713496-Calling-all-pregnant-new-mum-dog-owners

I'm 16+2 and have a rescue border collie. He has major anxiety issues but has improved a lot over the last 3 years. He has sensed that I smell differently and I swear he's playing up more than usual - not listening, being very mischievous, and has started barking for attention which he rarely did before.

We're having to buy a pram early to get him used to it as he hates wheels of any kind! He sounds like a nightmare but he is very loving and playful and is very loyal to me, my DH and other family members who he's spent a lot of time with.

We're very realistic about introducing him to the baby when the time comes, but even if he was the calmest most docile dog in the world, we still wouldn't leave him alone with the baby. We keep a rabbit in the kitchen and while he's interested in her, it's only fleeting e.g. we often let her out while he's in the same room. He doesn't care, unless she makes a loud noise or crashes into something, then he will run over to her, give her a sniff then walk off again. We're hoping his approach to the baby will be similar...

Steffanoid we're thinking of doing the same with a blanket - hoping my DH can take one home to put in the dog's basket so he can get used to the smell.

[batteryhen]

We have a cocker spaniel. I was 6 weeks pregnant when we got him. When DS was born my DH brought a blanket home from the hospital so the dog could get DSs scent.
We have always been strict with the dog, he isn't allowed on the sofa or upstairs, if DS ( 8 months) grabs him or strokes him, and the dog is calm he gets fuss and told he is a good boy etc. Our dog is as soft as grease but I would never leave DS alone with him, after all he is still a dog. Also the dog walks next to the pram with me so he is used to DS being everywhere with him!
Good luck!

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

We have a staffy too. I can't remember doing anything special. The main thing was we didn't change her routine or our behaviour towards her after the children came along.

I have a photo of her and my DS taken a few years ago. She knows her place!

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

That should say *A photo of her on my profile

[Slippysnow]

Thanks for the link serious I remember reading that and thinking more about choosing a suitable buggy (have decided on the baby jogger gt) the one handle idea really helped and I've also bought a baby bjorn as we walk over muddy grass quite often.
amazing that pics lovely, I have a good feeling our staff will be similar as long as we are careful and don't leave baby and dog alone. They are nicknamed the nanny dogs after all!

[worsestershiresauce]

I have two border collies and they are 100% disinterested in dd, and have been since the day she arrived. They will move away with slightly pained expressions when she cries, but other than that just ignore her. I have to admit I was a bit worried beforehand as one is pretty full on hyper, but nada, it's all fine.

[Smerlin]

To Seriousstuff- we had a rescue border collie growing up and when my sister was born (much much younger than me), he used to 'herd' her.

He was very gentle but used to do the collie circling and crouching around her until she was about 10 IIRC. Seemed to be his way of protecting her as he wasn't trying to move her on IYSWIM but thought you might want to be aware of this!

He tried to do this near sheep/horses if we saw any too when out on the lead but never would have expected him to do it to a child!!

[RememberingMyPFEs]

Thanks for the book info - the Paperback is expensive in comparison to kindle ed but probably worth it for the CD - ordered it

[2Labradors]

I have 2 Labradors, you would never have guessed

We got our youngest lab as a puppy when DS was about 16 months old (DS is 7 now) and DD was 3 (she's now 9). She's amazing with the children, incredibly protective of them.

We got our older lab as a rescue dog about 4 & half years ago when she was about 5. She'd been given to the home as she was pregnant and had obviously had many litters already. Her 9 pups found homes straight away and we just fell in love with her. She had really bad mastitis at first and a very saggy tum. The tum still sags but is so much better these days.

Anyway (I could go on about my lovely dogs all day), I don't think either of them have been different with me, I'm 9 weeks pregnant.

I like the idea of a cd with baby noises, that might be a good idea. I think we plan to take it very slowly when baby comes.

My younger lab had a crate for the first 18 months which was her hideaway from the kids when she needed it. We've since had an extension and the utility room is now the dogs' room, so they will have their escape in there.

Our dogs don't go upstairs either but we are having to re-jig the house and planning on moving our bedroom to a downstairs room, which baby will share with us for 6 months+

I do love my dogs and I think you can easily have dogs and a baby with forward planning and being responsible. I still keep the children out of the kitchen when the dogs are eating. They haven't snapped but I don't dare take chances, they're still dogs at the end of the day, as much as I snuggle them and call them my babies

I think it will be harder to exercise them when baby comes but I think with planning it will all come together. I don't think I'd feel comfortable walking them with a pram (they're quite big dogs) but I hope it will be my 'me' time, walking them, as it is now.

Sorry for such a long post, I didn't plan on going on so much.

[SeriousStuff]

Thanks for the heads-up Smerlin! Nothing would surprise me with him anymore...

[Teaandflapjacks]

We have a little white fluff - a maltese/westie mix. Terribly clever - too much for her own good (hides things she isn't allowed under the coffee table and waits for us to disappear before having them - like plastic bags etc!). She also knows when we are ill and sits of which ever body part is sore or sits next to it. So I had terrible headaches at the start of this pg, and she would come and lie above my head on my pillow, occasionally nudging me with nose to check all ok, or when i had stomach cramps (partic during periods) she would come and lie and my tummy. She sits on my feet when they get really cold (for some reason during the pg so far I get weirdly cold feet!). She is quite boisterous still (only 3) but now only with DH and gentle with me, since being pg - I think they can smell it? I wondered if she could hear her as well in my tummy?

I have seen her 'guard' my niece from any animals on the TV (she barks at any animals on the TV - including cartoon ones!), and when playing with children she just nudges her toy back to them to be thrown, and wont do any tug of war stuff, like she does with Dh and me etc.

Honestly . I feel really privileged to have her in our lives, and feel full of love for her and her funny little ways. I am a bit of a sap (and i used to be really frightened of dogs before I got her...!).

We will also do the babygro stuff etc. We have already left the car seat there, and the crib, and the baby clothes, and been teaching her not to run off with the baby socks etc. I leave lots of stuff now on purpose well within her reach and reward her leaving them alone - as once the baby comes we can't be worrying about leaving babes toys and clothes on the floor or within reach and then her running off with them. She is doing really well with all this.

[pocopearl]

I breed chihuahuas and my pups before they left liked to come and lay on my bump and were more than happy sleeping with baby kicking them. I sometimes have to re-jig a dog when it stands on my belly but I think to be honest baby is surrounded by that much fluid that a small jab from a chi isn't going to do anything.

[Fairydogmother]

I'm 13+2 and I've got 2 JRTs.

The boy is 8 and very laid back whereas the girl is 2 and a bit mad at times! My boy walks brilliantly on the lead and the girl pulls like a husky so trying to get her walking better before baby comes.

My biggest problem is the sleeping arrangements. The boy sleeps in his own bed in the corner of our room whereas the girl used to sleep in her crate but also in our room. She's figured out that whining gets her out and now we have a dog in our bed permanently. Our own fault totally but think we need some help to get her back out again!

[sjclarke86]

I have a 1.5 year old pug. When it's just us at home she is calm as cuddly- literally it's just me and her on a three seater sofa and she just has to be so close to me! As soon as she hears my DH open the door in the morning she runs straight past him to Jump in my bed. I don't mind as baby won't be sleeping in my bed (I'm 19 weeks) however she has a couple of traits that worry me. She is so hyper when anyone else comes in the house, jumping and kicking for attention, she also barks and growls at the tv when anything looks or sounds like another animal, worried this will wake baby up all the time. !!

[pmgkt]

I have 2 cavies, and when we found out I was pregnant we did stop letting them on the sofa, just so we could put Moses basket on there without them pulling it off as they jumped up. I have a photo of ds1 on the day he was bought home lying in between the two dogs. Never had a single thought of them doing anything to him. We did use a crying baby annabell doll a few times so they got used to the noise. Unfortunately I have had a real issue with both the dogs while pregnant both times, I find that I really hate them being near me, just as well dh makes up for it. I suppose if you can go off food, why can't you go off a pet. No more kids now though as dh had the snip so guess they won't have it happen again.

[Slippysnow]

sjclarke I was wondering about how noisy barking could effect the baby. I wondered whether they would hear the noise in the womb and therefore be used to it. Probably completely wrong