Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

dogs & new baby

11 replies

BlueJellie · 10/09/2008 00:47

was curious as to how people's pets have reacted to a new arrival in the house? I'm 36 weeks so baby will be arriving soon. We recently had our Labrador castrated & when the vet noticed I was pregnant she started talking about getting a cd of baby sounds to get the dog used to it beforehand, as they can get stressed! This sounds like a gimmick to me but then again never thought how having a new member of the family may affect him. He's 8 months old so still a pup & is not a jealous dog etc. Did anyone else find their pets stressed when they had a baby?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

WhatSheSaid · 10/09/2008 00:55

Our dog was about 10 months old when we brought home dd from hospital (last Nov). Dh brought a vest she had worn in hospital home a couple of days earlier to get him used to her smell. We also fed him lots of treats while showing him the baby to get him to think baby = good thing!

He's fine with her. At the beginning they just lie there anyway so he barely even noticed her. I had a portacot with bassinet level in up in sitting room so I could pop her in there under baby gym or whatever and she was out of his way, but tbh he's always been fine with her. Now she's crawling he's more scared of her than the other way round - runs away from her chasing him and wants to go outside a lot more!

combustiblemelon · 10/09/2008 00:56

My mother delights in telling me how when I cried as a baby the family dog would run out of the room and hide under the curtains in the dining room. He was a bit of a wuss though. He got over it eventually.

WhatSheSaid · 10/09/2008 00:57

We did give him lots of attention so he didn't htink he was missign out! And try to keep his routine (walks etc) the same as before so not too much is changed.

WhatSheSaid · 10/09/2008 00:57

We did give him lots of attention so he didn't htink he was missign out! And try to keep his routine (walks etc) the same as before so not too much is changed.

LittlePushka · 10/09/2008 01:01

only one hand free 9other soothing sleeping child,.. so sorry about typing.

one of my dog took huff with me for a week with both DC...as fine with babies. suspect the fact that i bled very heavily may have upset him. Would not come near me at all.

dogs still great with dc and out of huff with me.

jojoisamum · 10/09/2008 09:07

No problems with our 2 dogs here. Both just walk away from him, especially when he cries. Good idea to get your husband to bring something home smelling of baby.

flowerybeanbag · 10/09/2008 09:17

My dog was a year old when DS arrived. He has never had any problem with him. Was absolutely fine when DS was visible, interested, sniffing. But when DS was in his moses basket making noise, he didn't like it and barked.

He tried to peer in to see, there is a pic of that on my profile , but once we brought the basket down to the floor to show him that it was DS, he was fine.

Made a huge fuss of him when we came home from the hospital - he acted like he'd not seen me for a month anyway, and continued to give him as much attention as possible.

Now they are friends, DS loves giving him treats and throwing his ball.

lulalullabye · 10/09/2008 09:23

Our dog was also fine. Dh brought the hat home from the hospital the first night while we were still in. Obviously the hat that they first wear smells all a bit yukky so is ideal for a dog .

You will be fine, especially with a lab, they love kids.

Original poster

BlueJellie · 10/09/2008 12:07

Thanks ladies! Nice to hear some real accounts, I shan't worry bout the dog but I will do the blanket thing that sounds like a great idea

OP posts:

notsoslimnow · 10/09/2008 12:22

i have 2 dogs,a springer spaniel and lab x. baby due in just over a week.i have done alot of work with them to get ease them into the impending situation.ie no sleeping upstairs, they are not allowed into baby's nursery but have been taught to wait outside calmly, no jumping on people when they come in the house etc.also we put all the new furniture around the house asap so they could see/smell /get used to it.my husband and i now make sure we pop on a little baby lotion/and use baby soap/bath so they are used to those smells too! sounds barmy i know!!! HOWEVER i do believe VERY strongly that the children must also be taught how to behave around dogs.it is not just a one way stream and i cannot stand seeing toddlers kicking at/pinching/pulling dogs and the parents standing by watching not saying a word but expecting the dog to lie still and take it!!! i believe a mutual respect must be established between children and dogs (or whatever animal you have living in your house)

america · 10/09/2008 15:38

My golden retriever does ignore DS most of the time except when she graciously accepts a cuddle or sits under the table at meal times. Never had any trouble and she was very patient when DS was learning to walk holding on her for support. DS doesn't pay too much attention to the dog anyhow and we never made any fuzz about them being together. Agree with notsoslimnow though, no pulling hair, tail, ears/climbing on the dog, playing wiht her waterbowl etc.

Flip