i have a rescue dog and just found out im pregnant

[traceybaybee]

I adopted nacho from dogs trust when he was 4 in june 2012. He is a lab x staffy and a fantastic dog. Nobody has a bad word to say about him bar hes a stinky dog when he lets rip or drools (think tap running ). I have just found out that im pregnant and wanted peoples advice on how to handle this with nacho. His previous owners had children and he has been round my niece since she was born, he showed no interest really til she was 7mths old and now shes 2 they are best friends. The babys father thinks nacho is going to turn evil which i think is nonsense. He has a hungarian vizsla bitch who is coming up 1 that id be more concerned about than nacho. Any thoughts/advice is appreciated xx

[Blyssie]

As long as you start as you mean to go on I don't see any issue.
Staffys and labs can be amazing dogs around children with the right training (although i'd never leave the two of them alone), so it's ideal to start topping up all those useful commands like sit and stay. Also what's going to change once babies born, is Nacho suddenly not going to be allowed upstairs once baby is born? If so stop now to get him used to it.

Congrats on your pregnancy xx

[traceybaybee]

I currently stay in an upstairs 1 bed 4 in a block so i would need to be rehoused. I reckon we will manage just fine. Babys dad has told me he isnt going to be there for us so i dont see why he is so concerned about nacho and wee one when they appear. And thank you xx

[beagleofdoom]

Dogs Trust and APBC both have great advice about preparing your dog for a baby on their website.

[Lilcamper]

This is a great resource on dogs and babies family paws. Nacho is an awesome name

[traceybaybee]

DT have been brilliant with me in the past when nacho got attacked from another dog i got help with training him to be okay again around other dogs x

[BingoBonkers]

Also a FB group called Dog Training & Advice is a great resource.

Be consistent with your dog so if dog allowed on sofa/bed now and you don't want him on there once the baby arrives then start now with training him to get off/stay off.

Never leave them alone and always have a safe space for your dog to retreat to. Tbh I think it's when babies get mobile the problems start. Ensure the dog isn't pulled around or put in a situation he is not happy with eg baby put on him/near him for photos etc. If he looks away, starts licking or yawning then he is uncomfortable.

Lots of people who have dogs then children arrive go on to be very happy families with the right knowledge and training.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

When my first son was born our dog - who up til then had been our baby - was five. We were unsure how she might be around kids as she'd hardly even seen one in her life, but decided to see how it went. She was brilliant. Loved him very much. She was a staffy.

[traceybaybee]

The owner of my local pet shop said to me the staffy in nacho is going to shine through when my baby is born x