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Pregnancy

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Original poster

German Shepherd & Baby

17 replies

canor10 · 03/02/2019 14:41

Hi Ladies and Gents,
Just looking for some tips on introducing my German Shepherd (GSD) to my baby. We have a good bit of time to plan. I’m due on 15th Aug, and the GSD is 1 year old at the end of August. She’s a lovely dog, has a good temperament. She’s just very clingy to me more than my partner and she is a bit nervous on walks. I’ve noticed she’s unsure about prams which is something we’ll have to address. But my main question is about when the baby is here. I don’t want her jumping up or getting too jealous. I have a 1 year old sister and she is good with her but only met her when she was walking.

OP posts:

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CritterTamer · 03/02/2019 16:39

Watching with interest as I have a beautiful 2yo siberian husky who is also nervous of prams, and I'd love some tips on introducing him to babies (twins due in June).

Northernmum100 · 03/02/2019 16:54

Can you get some practice in with the pram before baby arrives e.g. have it set up in the house and then progress to walking with it.
The only thing I can think of though- would some see this as bad luck / superstitious?
( I personally wouldn't be). I had a GSD when both of mine were babies and he was brilliant with them. Good luck!

CaseofEllen · 03/02/2019 17:01

I have a one year old GSD and she's very excitable! Although a complete soft teddy bear 🧸 also very protective of me.

I'm 33+3 so will be introducing them pretty soon. We've been working hard to teaching her not to jump up and she's getting much better. We've also left a few baby bits around the house, like bouncer/playmat etc to let her get used to those new things.

Our plan for the first meeting is to have my parents look after our dog while I'm in labour/hospital. Once we've brought baby home and got settled my DP will get our dog and bring her home, I'll be holding baby and (hopefully) she will have a good sniff around! Then we'll give her some fuss and treats to avoid jealousy!

This is all theory but hoping it works! Will try and remember to post again and let you know how it went x

xxlucybxx · 03/02/2019 18:37

I'm due 1st of aug and have a 10 y/0 GSD who loves people and hates other dogs, I can't pavement walk her as she will just kick off at any dog she sees so we go in the car in an empty field ever day, so pram walking will be a no no for us. I intend on getting some kind of carrier that will strap to me with the baby so I'm hands free for the flexi lead.

Can't wait for dog walks with the little one for company every day!

Milliways · 03/02/2019 18:48

We were worried about introducing our DD to our very one-man (DH) 7.5 stone GSD, especially when I had been in hospital for some time before the birth, so he had been left alone a lot and then 3 of us came home!
He was brilliant. We let him sniff and even lick her feet, and gave him lots of attention whilst I was feeding etc. He became DDs guardian angel. Sat on the midwives feet when she tried to examine her, guarded the pram and became very protective.
He was also extremely well behaved around visiting babies and toddlers. When it was our turn for NCT mums I would shut him away, but other toddlers kept letting him out so they could climb on him! We always pulled them off but he never batted an eye, occasionally squeaked if had had enough. DD was also taught never to follow him onto his bed, that was his space.
Best of luck, they are brilliant dogs, we had 2 back to back of 12 years each and miss them.

Lizbiz89 · 03/02/2019 19:09

German Shepard's are natural protectors of children. I grew up with them all my life and the most dangerous thing one of them did was lie in front of our room when my mum and dad were out and wouldn't let the babysitter in. I currently have a bullmastiff and a near 2 year old. Again a very protective dog. Absolutely the most gentle giant you could meet. With walking him when my dd was young I used to put her in a baby carrier. When she got older I invested in a tricycle which I could use one handed (Bentley). He's generally been very good. Only thing I would watch (especially with bigger breeds) is they can sometimes accidentally knock lo's over. Good luck. I'm sure your GS will end up being like an older sibling to your baby.

GlamourBear · 03/02/2019 19:10

I grew up with GSD, mum and dad had her 5 years before I was born. She absolutely adored me as I did her. She would guard my cot when I was tiny and as I grew up she was extremely tolerant of me and any friends who came round. I think they are a wonderful bread for children to grow up with.

We found that it was important for them not to feel left out when we brought our first DC home, we put the carry cot on the floor and let our dog have a good sniff to see what was in there and from then on she's been brilliant. She's never been pushed away from our DC either unless she's tried to steal food or got over excited when playing. We were a bit concerned as she is a spoilt terrier! However now DC1 is a toddler they have a lovely bond.

Foodie68 · 03/02/2019 20:27

Our first is due in August, we have a cockapoo who never leaves my side. I was worried he might be jealous around a baby so when my friend had her first a few weeks ago I brought Basil to meet the baby. He was really good once he had smelt the baby.

DreamingofItaly · 03/02/2019 21:33

I'm due in August and have a 3 year old GSD. She's gotten a bit clingy of late but we just suddenly lost our 8 year old GSD so it's understandable.

She's fabulous with my 6 year old niece, and our friend's children when they visit although can be excitable, as you would expect.

I like the idea of letting her lick feet, that sort of thing. I've been told I'll be in hospital for a couple of days after the birth so DH plans to bring home a blanket with the baby smell on it to start the intro before we get there.

I can't wait for her to meet the baby and have them grow up best of friends. I grew up with GPs having GSDs and parents having Dobermans so big dogs have always been a part of our family.

Ambs81 · 03/02/2019 21:41

Different breed but I have a staffie, pedigree, and we were a bit worried about how she’d react as she was our baby before we had a baby!
A few tips;

Get them used to not lying on the sofa (if they currently do) get them more accustomed with lying in their own bed
Introduce stair gates now, if you haven’t got them already. A god send when you want to get a shower etc and you need to guarantee dog and baby are well apart. Also hardy to confine your pooch when you get midwife and health visitor visits!!
Get them used to pram, do a practise walk if you intend to walk them together
Relax!! Our dog quickly order stood the pack order changed, and adjust
When baby was asleep we’d give her lots of fuss, and make sure where ever possible their walks and meals aren’t too disturbed so they don’t feel they are being punished

Interesting fact but dog can hear your baby heart beat from about 14wks, a heart beat is as unique as a finger print, when you bring the baby home your dog knows that’s the same baby you’ve been carrying all this time!! So it may not be as shocked as you think by the new arrival!!

Original poster

canor10 · 03/02/2019 21:51

Honestly, you’ve all made me feel so positive about this. Thank you so much! I can’t wait for them to be best buds, with the GSD only being 1 aswell, I hope she can be around for a long time to help our little one grow.
I definitely think we need to get her used to walking with the pram just in case, but I am going to get a baby carrier too so that might end up being easier.
I love all the stories about them being protectors and knowing the boundaries when it comes to babies.
Love the fact about her hearing the heartbeat too! That’s amazing!
Thank you for all of your advice!

OP posts:

babysharkah · 03/02/2019 21:51

I've got a terrier so not quite the scale of a GSD! We put the pram up and practiced walking with it empty, left the baby car seats out and about in living room floor. Dts were in NICU so took dirty clothes homes and let him smell them. When they came home we made sure people still said hello to him at the door and didn't barge past just to see the babies. He was one when we brought them home and he has been nothing but protective and loving ever since!

PiggyRae · 03/02/2019 22:05

I've got a 3 year old gsd and before baby she was my shadow. Now she is my 3 week olds shadow. My husband brought home some worn babygrows for her to smell. She took them straight to her bed. When we came home she was straight by him giving me her paw so she could see him. She adores him and is always trying to pick him. If he makes a noise she is there and always tries to find me if he cries. She is very excitable but calm around him.

GlamourBear · 04/02/2019 06:09

@canor10 I definitely found a carrier much easier for walks with the baby and dog. Trying to hold a lead and the pram was quite awkward plus with the pram you're a bit limited on where you can go when it's muddy. With the carrier I just went on our normal walks around the fields and having both hands free at all times made me feel much more comfortable!

Ccec · 04/02/2019 09:47

I can't relate exactly but i do have a friend whose german shepherd was amazing with her new baby. Like many people have said they are amazing family dogs and will no doubt grow up together to be the best of friends.
I have a one year old pug and am trying to prepare myself for how things will go when my baby is born around spring time! She is the softest dog you could ever come across but she is used to being my baby, she's very clingy and has to sit on me or as close as possible to me no matter what i'm doing. She also does not listen to a word i say and thinks the baby toys we have brought are all for her already. All of the stuff i have brought so far like the pram and car seat etc has been left out so she can get used to them being there and smell everything etc so im hoping it won't be a massive shock to her when a baby turns up and pushes her out of the pecking order lol. I'm sure it will all work out fine :)

xxlucybxx · 04/02/2019 16:00

@GlamourBear any carrier you would recommend/avoid?

GlamourBear · 04/02/2019 16:58

@xxlucybxx we have a Boba 4g which I love, very supportive for mum and baby. It also fits me and my husband well. Tula are also lovely but you have to buy a newborn insert as an extra with those (you get one with the boba) which makes it more expensive. The Tula prints are very pretty though!

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