Introducing dogs to new baby

[Chequers]

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Definitely have DH bring home clothing/ muslins home smelling of the baby. DP did this with ours and it seemed to help our dog 'know' DS before he came home. Also made sure that the dog came into the room after we did, as he has a tendency to jump up when he's excited and could have knocked me over. It sounds to me like you've got all the right ideas though, I'm sure it will be fine. Our dog is pretty big and he's been so, so gentle with DS in a way that he isn't with any adults in the house. He seems to just 'know'. Good luck!

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dog, this is baby
baby, this is dog

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We also took a muslin smelling of the dog into hospital to the baby so she got used to him, as well as the other way round.
They were both fine

I was totally paranoid about this: we had a rotweiller who was a rescue dog so it was very much a case of watch v carefully. We got a baby noise CD - he paid no attention. I kept the baby away from him when i first came home, then we introduced her "Lucy, this is Yazz, he stinks!" So for a while he was called Yazzhestinks We wouldn't have been able to keep him when DD mobile as his background made him unpredictable, but sadly he died before it was an issue

Stairgate definately paramount, but then doesnt everyone with a dog have one of those The behaviour they have displayed with children before does suggest a slight wariness tbh, but often people are on edge with dogs around little ones (understandably so). It mostly just works though, i had two dogs (many years ago) when i had DD1 and apart from mild curiosity, they were not interested and never a problem.

I'd say their behaviour is submissive, which is a good thing - the last thing you want is them thinking they are dominant to children. Wagging tails is a good sign too, as suggests that even if there is wariness there is no fear.

My old dog was very sensitive to kids and elderly people. She was extremely boisterous but whenever my elderly great Auntie visited she gave her a very wide berth or made herself very small.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things, it will be fine I'm sure.

MW also suggested that we took dog to hospital when we came home so got used from the start that there was a new addition in the family. Will be doing that again this time round.

I have a springer (had 2 when ds1 was born), and he is wonderful with the baby.

I agree on the 'giving lots of attention' thing. Didn't bother with the noise CDs, babygrow etc.

In my experience (with other peoples' dogs as well as my own), babies are not a problem. It is when they start crawling and walking that dogs start to get nervous and unsettled and have to be watched like a hawk.

My springer has a thing about feeding. He always makes himself scarce (ff, but he did it with ds1 who was bf and then ff) when I start feeding ds2. That all changes the moment children are on real food though.

sorry that post was all over the place. too much wine

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We were told that someone neutral should carry the baby into the house, not dh [or who ever your pack leader is].

We were told that dh should meet our dog as normal & he [the dog] can then be lead by dh to meet the baby.

Take the dog to the babies room before it is born & teach them what you expect. Our dog is getting used to sitting nicely next to the bassinet, instead of trying to paw it [it's on a stand & he used to just jump at it]. But now he will sit while I handle the doll [baby due in 5 weeks].

Dh is getting him used to waiting for a play, we have a 4 yr old so she is being 'used' to teach him to wait. But if new baby is your first, your dh should use the doll.

Lots of rewards for good behaviour. I was told to make sure I praise him when I am feeding if he is good.

We had two staffies when i had ds1, we didnt do anything special, just had lots of treats around. i carried ds1 in to home to meet the dogs. Got us and baby sorted before greeting them and they got dog treats when baby was around initially.

Hi. I was really worried as my dog a bit of a nightmare, but she's so good. I had all these plans but didn't do a single 1!
Someone told me to get a doll, prefferably one that makes noise. You hold the doll so dog gets used to knowing when not to jump up etc.
The only thing I have done, is never made the baby a complete out of bounds item iykwim. I thought that if she knew she could stand next to lo and lick him etc she wouldn't be so curious

I let my dog lick the baby, FWIW. Always imagine hv/mw having a nervous breakdown at the sight of that.

Our dog (old rescue staffie) has been quite disinterested, and we did nothing special. When ds cries she'll go investigate, but only to look from afar. Otherwise just sniffs his feet occasionally and then goes on with whatever else she'd normally do. ds has been far more interested in the dog (black and white, moves and makes interesting noises) and today started giggling whenever dog barked (asking for biscuit, not barking at ds). I'm more worried how to deal with ds's interest in dog as he gets mobile than dog's interest in ds.

Let the dog lick the top of the babies head as hands can go in the babies mouth if that makes sense.

And let the dog have a good old sniff of a soiled nappy.

I must say i'm relieved at the answers on here. MN has to be one of the most undogfriendly places i've ever some across as a general rule.

I now have a bullmastiff puppy who has met my friends newborn, gave it a look then walked away. He is great with my 3yo and 4yo aswell.

mumsnet is a big dog unfriendly - especially if you have a breed that isn't 'right' to them, but don't worry, its your dog and baby and its up to you.

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sure it will go fine chequers xx