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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Dogs and newborns

12 replies

Emigrated · 27/09/2013 03:57

Hi there, just interested in people's experiences of how their dog reacted to a baby in the house. Did anyone do the blanket thing to introduce their scent?

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Ginnytonic82 · 27/09/2013 08:03

We're expecting our first in a few weeks, so I've been a bit worried about our dog (my first baby ) and how she will be when the newborn comes home. I couldn't stand for them to not get on. She's a lab and extremely calm, but she is used to being the centre of attention. Our dog walker told us to introduce baby scents around the house, we also let her sniff around the new things we have bought. We've also played YouTube clips of babies crying/laughing etc. Today is the acid test as one of my friends is bringing her 7 week old to visit, so I'm hoping that will help too.

CherryLips1980 · 27/09/2013 09:29

We've done the same as Ginnytonic. (I'm due in 5 weeks.) I haven't introduced any baby smells other than him being in the nursery as we've been putting things away so it isn't a 'new' place for him (up till now, it was an undecorated dumping room and we never opened the door, let alone went in there...).

Mine is a 14month old weimaraner who is very bouncy and used to being centre of attention but I think (hope) as long as we keep his basic routine the same, all will be OK. We're thinking of getting a dog walker for the first few weeks as well, just in case I can't walk him for any reason. OH may well be still at work for my first few days of ML so not able to do his normal walk length.

Claire5517 · 27/09/2013 11:55

I have a 2yo beagle who can be very hyper and loves being involved and part of the family. He had never been around babies. We weren't sure how he would react - we knew he wouldn't be nasty etc but he is a very muscley dog and sometimes doesn't know his own strength. So in preparation for DD's arrival we bought a pet gate so we could keep him out of living room when we needed but it also meant he could still see us so he didn't feel too left out etc.

When we brought DD home, we made sure we made a huge fuss of the dog. I had been in hospital for 3 days and by his reaction when he saw me, he knew something had happened. We then took DD into living room and out her down into moses basket (Dog was left behind pet gate while we did this, so he could still see us while we put her down and settled her). After 10 mins or so we let the dog in to see what he did (DP stayed by his side at all times just in case he got a bit too excited!). But we shouldn't have been worried at all - his reaction was lovely. He put his nose on the side of the basket just to smell her, and then after a few seconds he just lay down next to the basket as if he were protecting her!

7 weeks on he is still amazing with her. He sits with us in the living room and naps at the same time as her. When he has to go in the kitchen and the pet gate is closed, he understands that that is where he has to be for a while. There are times he cries, but that is only because he wants to sit with us!

Even though the dog is great with DD, I would NEVER leave them on their own in a room together - you never know what can happen. Saying this, I know when DD is older, they are going to be inseparable! He adores her and is so protective of her.

IMO, the worst thing you can do is NOT introduce dog to DC, he will resent DC if its only ever been you and your pet.

Purplemonster · 27/09/2013 12:01

We've got two big dogs and they have been absolutely fine with the baby. We let them sniff her on her car seat when we first brought her home. The GSD howled for a couple of days when she cried like she was trying to tell us 'The baby's crying do something about it' and guarded the front door for a week or so but they've all settled down now and they're absolutely fine with her and know that they can sniff but aren't allowed to lick.

midori1999 · 27/09/2013 12:56

We already had older children and the dogs had seen babies before, they're well socialised, but we didn't make any fuss at all when we brought the baby home, we just acted like it was the most normal thing in the world and although the oldest dog, who is the most sensitive was a bit unnerved I think by any prolonged crying at first, she was reassured by our reaction to it and was fine.

'Baby' is now 2 and the dogs still love her and we're due another baby any day and will just be the same with the dogs.

MiaowTheCat · 27/09/2013 14:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ginnytonic82 · 27/09/2013 17:02

Just an update to say my friend has just left with her beautiful little boy, and I'm pleased to report that our dog was great with him. She didn't bat an eyelid. She sniffed his car seat and then got in her bed and went to sleep. Even when I was giving him a cuddle she just lay calmly at my feet. We knew she'd be good, but it was very reassuring to see her behaving so well.

CherryLips1980 · 27/09/2013 17:09

Awww, thats a relief Ginnytonic! I hope my stupid great oaf is the same.

Ginnytonic82 · 27/09/2013 17:23

Aww Cherry I'm sure he will be! Weimaraner's are gorgeous, our lab walks with one and he is lovely. Good luck with everything xx

Original poster

Emigrated · 27/09/2013 18:49

Thanks guys, I expect our dog to accept bub as part of the pack. Fingers crossed ....

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Cavort · 28/09/2013 05:00

We did absolutely nothing in preparation and our Lab cross was/is fine. He will briefly sniff DD occasionally but then carries on with whatever he was doing. I suspect things might change when she becomes mobile and starts terrorising him.

doingitagain14 · 29/09/2013 09:24

We didn't do anything really to prepare our lab for arrival of our first baby. Brought her home, dog gave her a wee sniff and went back to sleep. Three years on they are best friends. Dog has had to be patient at times but thankfully she is a very laid back creature and dd has learned how to treat her with respect.

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