Help!! How to get Ddog ready for a baby!

[UnexpectedItemInTheShaggingAre]

We have a 13 month old WCS, and are expecting a baby in august
What can you recommend to get pups used to baby? Any tips greatly received

[MustardScreams]

I have a working cocker and a Welsh springer. They were 4 and 9 when dd was born.

I made sure they saw all the baby stuff and sniffed it etc. So the pram was up and in the sitting room, I left the bedroom doors open so they could check out the crib and her nursery. I played loud(!) baby crying noises on YouTube.

When I gave birth I gave a sleepsuit dd had worn to mum for her to take home to the dogs to sniff.

When I came home the dogs were obviously excited because they hadn’t seen me for 2 days, so I got dd’s dad to carry her in and I greeted them as normal until they were calm. I then sat on the sofa and made them sit and they sniffed dd all over. If they started getting boisterous I got them sitting again. Tbh they were great, and after half an hour weren’t interested.

Best thing ever was a sling for baby so I could still take the dogs out on their walks without heaving the pram around! Dd adores them now, and it’s been lovely them all growing up together.

[Scarsthelot]

I have always had cockers and they have always been great.

The one I had when I was pregnant with dd, I am sure, knew I was pregnant. She became velcro dog and would just sit and stare at me. To the point it was uncomfortable.

I did as pp did. Brought things in slowly. Let them get used to new items being there. I had a crib in the living room that was a family heirloom that rocked. So I would rock that often. Played baby noises in small bursts and worked up to it being longer and longer.

When dd was born that cocker stopped staring at me and laid next to the crib or would get in the sofa to stare at dd and left me alone.

Also make sure they are trained to leave you alone. If they get used to you being available for them all the time, it will be difficult when you are dealing with the baby and cant pay attention to the dog for those few minutes.

I also allowed the dog near the baby. Let her sniff. Obviously in controlled conditions.

That dog passed away when dd was 7 and she was devastated. They were best friends. The one I had when pregnant with ds was less interested but fine, just nor bothered until he passed away. We got another when ds was 4. The other dog wasnr interest in the new dog either. But the one we got when ds was 4 is ds best friend.

We have just adopted a cocker puppy who is obsessed with the kids. Doesnt even nip them.

Great dogs for families if managed correctly.

Also make a plan for their exercise that you stick to it now, before baby comes.. A big mistake is that a baby comes along and the dogs routine is out of the window. Easier to change it now.

[Booboostwo]

Teaching a dog to walk nicely on the lead next to a pram is invaluable.

Also teach the dog to accept some separation, some of the time from the main living area because there will be times when you won't be able to supervise and you will need the dog to accept being separated from the baby.

[owlalwaysloveyou]

We got a decent sized crate for our living room while i was pregnant. Put a bed and his toys in their and just let him use it if he wanted. He decided on his own that he liked it better than the couch (i know im terrible) and takes himself in their for peace or naps. It only gets closed over (and a treat given at same time) if midwife or health visitor were in as he got over excited to show off baby. However i understand we are lucky to have space in living room for crate plus baby things. Ds is 4 months now so more interested in play and my collie has started throwing soft toys near him as if encouraging him to play with him. I was very worried how he would be as he's not been around babies and was 7 by time we brought ds home but he honestly loves him. I definitely think it helped making the gradual changes (set up crib, move any furniture etc) before due date. I also got an unwashed baby blanket from sil of my nephews to give dog but he wasn't interested.

[BrigidSt]

Stair gates are useful for keeping dogs and babies apart sensibly, well before you need them for toddlers or crawlers, also a travel cot as a playpen, safe way of putting the baby down if dogs are around. I have two big dogs and a toddler, I prioritise the dogs need for space from a child over the baby if that makes sense? They have room to lie down and rest away from us playing, but we all spend time together too. Had a section, so used a Stair gate to keep the dogs out of my room off the bed, while I recovered. They all get on well and I teach my son to respect the dogs space and bodies. In a small house I did dogs upstairs all day asleep while we were downstairs with the stair gate shut. Vice versa at night.

[thatonehasalittlecar]

There a book called ‘how to tell the dog I’m pregnant’ or similar. It has loads of tips and comes with a CD of ‘baby noise’ you can play. We got it as a joke, and didn’t ever get round to playing the CD, but it was surprisingly helpful with advice. Congrats!

[thatonehasalittlecar]

Oh, and we trained ours to wait before rushing through doors or down stairs, so the human went first. I was terrified he’d accidentally bump me when I was carrying the baby. Although everything about the baby terrified me at that stage 😆