New baby and dogs

[Holiday16]

Hi has anyone had dogs prior to having their first baby? I am worried how my dogs will act when I bring a baby into the house. My dogs already get abit jealous of each other and I worry they will get more jealous when lil one arrives. Anyone got any tips or stories of how there's went? Thanks x

@Holiday16 how big are they? Ages? You might want to invest in some classes or get a dog trainer round to help with calming them.

I worried myself almost sick. The dog loved DS from the get-go.

My dog was very accepting of our DD and prior to having DD the dog was used to being my baby. As long as she was still able to curl up next to me whilst I cuddled/fed the baby she was happy.

One is 35kg and the other is 20kg - they are labradors but very playful as both are still quite young, one is a year and one is year and a half

Nice to hear good stories

Bring a sleepsuit and blanket that smells of the baby to let your dogs smell it.

Your dogs will be aware of the tiny human growing in your belly already with them being with you throughout the pregnancy.

They'll be fine. My dogs loved my baby when we brought him home.

I've got a retriever so understand how bouncy they are. We sectioned off a small area in the living room with a pen so when they crashed into it, the Moses basket was still standing.

Could you do something like that?

Honestly dint worry, they'll be absolutely fine. Just usual advice, never leave them alone together, have a separate space have treats nearby and start with a new command if they're getting too close.

My dog absolutely hates children,
He's terrified of them. When I take him for walks he will bark and bark at them.

I was so scared of how he would be with the baby and he's fine. We keep them separated with baby gates but now he's a toddler they will play together over the gate. My dog knows he's not allowed near DS so will move away from him if they aren't separated ie coming in or going out.

We had a 1 year old working cocker when my first was born. He was very bouncy and excitable, and we were very worried (my DH more than me). It was about of a learning curve, baby and I were in hospital for 2 weeks after the birth and our dog really missed me! He was fabulous with our DS though! We set boundaries so he knew he wasn't allowed on the play mat (for example). It took some time to get him to understand that he wasn't allowed the boys toys but we've only lost a couple of wooden blocks in getting on for 2 years.

We used tall (as he's very jumpy) baby gates so we could separate them when needed, but so the dog could see what was happening - nappy changes etc. We have had a bit more of an issue with the dog being quite over protective when our DS or friends children are around and they cry because he tries to comfort them and can get in the way!

Our biggest issue has been now our DS is a toddler and him wanting to playing with the dog when the dog wants to sleep, but we've got an area the dog can get to the toddler can't and we are teaching the toddler that when the dog growls he must stop whatever it is and we remove the toddler to make the point.

It's an ongoing process as new things arise, but for the most part it's been fine, only one dog related injury so far really! Training and boundaries and being on the same page with your OH, and not letting anything slide have been key!

I had two dogs before our DD, both mongrel rescues, one a staffie X which worried me as she has a very high prey drive.

After I'd given birth (home birth luckily so straight away really) I introduced them through the kitchen gate (we had a baby gate long before the baby!) and didn't allow the dogs anywhere near baby for probably a month.
Slowly as it became apparent that they weren't going to eat DD (in fact any time she cried out they'd leg it back to their crates) I let them slowly have more contact.

She's 4.5 now and apart from one unfortunate accident when one of the dogs ran into DD and knocked her over they've never remotely hurt her or worried me with their presence - they pay extra attention when she's eating and always clean up the floor around her chair (but they're only allowed near once she's finished).

It is amazing how careful they are with her. I may be anthropomorphising but they treat her more gently than they do me (ie taking food from her - I now let her give them treats sometimes - and they take it from her very nicely!) and have never jumped up at her or pushed her, and they're very patient when she's "stroking" them.
Any sign of aggression and they'd be completely separated and managed very differently.

Good luck, I'm sure all will be fine.

Following, as I also have a dog (only little and very friendly) but interested to see how he'll react to no longer being "the baby" of the family

We have a small nervous dog who doesn't really take too well to people or dogs but is supremely loving and gentle with us. I've been playing YouTube recordings of babies crying and she's been fine. I'll do the baby blanket/clothes smell thing too. I think if we're clear with boundaries and include the dog in family stuff, still have her on the sofa for cuddles etc she'll be fine. She's definitely still our baby. She just needs to know there's a new member of the pack. I had the same breed of dog when I was a kid and he was amazing with babies and children.

I had a very spoilt cavalier king Charles before DS came along. We played baby crying videos on YouTube to get him used to the noise. I would say after you have had baby and return home from hospital, they dogs will be very excited to see you. So best to say hello to then without the baby first so they can call down, and then introduce and let them smell etc.
My dog didn't bat an eyelid at my son, he would just take himself off to another room if he didn't want to play or be pulled by DS. They play together often but will happily avoid each other too.

My very calm greyhound went to pot when I bought DS home. He was so worried about not having my attention.

We had to put him on Zyklene and get him an adaptil collar - it was quite stressful to be honest but we made sure he wasn't pushed out and I made sure he went his walks etc which was difficult as I had a CS - it took about two weeks.

I did all the recordings of babies crying etc before hand but it just didn't prepare him.

DS is now 4 and they are inseparable. If we go a walk they hold onto each other and DDog constantly looks for him if he walks off. I don't get a look in.

We have a 28kg dog who was 6 years old and spoiled rotten when we had our first dc. She has been fantastic with both dc and is over 10 now and they all get on great. She's very very tolerant when little hands boop her nose or pat her back, we always keep a very good eye on them together and teach the dc how to treat her but it's been lovely with no issues. Feeding her scraps from the table is always a big hit with babies

I’ve just had baby last week and currently going through this. Our dog is a rescue and we got him last year after previous dog sadly had to be put down due to tumour. Current one is around 9 & it’s been challenging introducing them. He’s decided he wants to pee and poo in the house 🤦🏾‍♀️ Trying to find that fine balance - he’s a bouncy dog & affectionate but of course with a new born it’s just not good behaviour. We are attempting to set boundaries and not allowing him to touch / lick baby etc. Will see how we go 🤷🏾‍♀️