any tips/advice on introducing baby to our 2 year old dog (from dog lovers please)??

[hamptonmummy]

Hi, our baby will be here in a few weeks and i was just wondering if anyone had any tips or advice on introducing to our dog, he is 2 years old and we have had him since a pup and love him very much and he will continue to be as much part of the family as before (only advice ive had so far is to send dog to battersea and concentrate on baby which really upset me!!) anything would be useful, thanks guys xx

Sorry you received such unhelpful advice. Could you speak to the vet? (Not about rehoming obvs!) First thoughts are decide what changes baby will make to dogs life. Where is bed? Walk times/durations etc? Implement them before little one arrives so the baby is not seen as the root of all evil!
Can you treat dog like an older sibling! Not loopy honestly. Perhaps introducing them when you are not holding baby, dog gets treat while you feed, baby buys dog a pressie, people greet dog before baby? Sorry if I sound demented. Perhaps my pets rule the roost! Enjoy your family.

Hi thank you so much, that was just the sort of advice i was hoping for !! we keep telling him he will soon be a big brother, so i definatly dont think your loopy (unless were loopy too) !! Vet was helpful about worming & flea control etc. We plan on making extra fuss of him for 1st few weeks, extra walks & a few previously forbidden pigs ears as a special treat. We also said visitors will be kept at an absolute minimum till we all settled and i definatly agree any vistors should greet him 1st then baby and ill ask them to bring a treat for him to. Thanks again for your advice XX

My best advice is to get a playpen. Our lab is fine with the kids, and I have never had any reason to worry about her with the kids. But at the beginning, it was a completely safe place to put the baby before we knew how dog would be. If the doorbell rings/you need the loo /you're cooking etc etc it means that you can leave the room knowing evrything will be OK.
just make sure that when DC is old enough to reach out of playpen you keep the dog bones far away so they dont chew them

I found having young (2yr old) dog and newborn exhasting in a way - having to walk the dog in the rain BUT it meant that I went out of the house every day and got fresh air/sunlight and I'm sure thats what kept me sane and helped DS to sleep well.
Good luck!

Hi there, Thanks for your advice thats great, i might get a playpen and put bouncer chair in there, then doggie can also get used to seeing baby & babys smell etc without the worry he will want to jump about and dribble in the chair and hurt baby/scare !! Luckaly i dont do walks with him as hes to strong for me and my bad back that is OH department, but we plan to all get out & about together as much as poss. I have read so many articles on how children who grow up with a dog are healthier & can lead to better development etc so really keen to make this as smooth as poss!!

Thanks again for your advice XX