If one more person asks what am I going to do with the dogs when I have the baby I'll go mad!

[ToffeeAddict]

Honestly, so many people have asked me what am I going to do with my dogs (3 whippets) when I have the baby, as if 'getting rid' of them is the only sensible course of action. I always protest and say that I have no intentions to do anything with the dogs other than keep them, obviously taking all due care with them around the new arrival, and seemingly everyone has a story about how they/their daughter/brother/friend really wanteed to keep their dog but had to rehome it soon after the baby was born. Please can some of you share your success stories of bringing baby home to a house with dogs with me so I can stop feeling so dsheartened by other people's attitudes to their 'beloved' pets?

I know some people really have no choice, for example where the dog(s) are presenting a real danger to the baby even after reasonable attempts at introducing them and I would never judge anyone who is forced to make the difficult decision in those circumstances.

I had (have) a border collie and a springer x Labrador, and 3 cats when I had my son 18 months ago. We are managing fine despite people telling me it would be too much. Easy as pie when they are new born anyway, my pets barely noticed him. Takes more managing now but is absolutely fine.

I have been asked about this a couple of times too, as we have 2 labradors (5 1/2 & 3yo). I was quite surprised when I first got asked because it wasn't something I had thought about! The dogs are our family already (as I am Fraoch's mum!) and I have no qualms about how they will get on in 6 weeks time with the newborn. I am fully aware that they essentially are animals and won't leave the baby unattended with them though.
My plan, in an ideal world, is to walk the dogs and let DH have some quality time with the baby.
I had to laugh at the suggestion of letting the dogs have pups - this time last year we had a litter of 9 to look after! We have had Fraoch 'done' but still intend to breed our bitch again at some point. Perhaps wait a couple of seasons though

Hi ToffeeAddict,

I'm expecting our first baby next year and I'm had been planning to get our first puppy around now. I was brought up with lurchers that were so docile with us when we were little they used to let us ride them up and down the garden so I am very keen that our baby grows up with a dog at home as well! Someone has just recommended a litter of whippets down the road from us that I'd like to go and see. I see from your post that you have 3 whippets. would you recommend them as pets with children? and should I go for a boy or girl? Any tips gratefully appreciated.

More of the same really. My terrier sadly died when DS3 ws 6 weeks old. My mum said I would be mad to get another for 3 years. 10 days later i took on a boisterous and badly behaved 6 month lab and 3 weeks after that a 3 year old springer whose owners were going abroad for a couple of years.

As well as all the good stuff others have reported I have never been fitter carrying a fat baby over hill and dale with 2 vv energetic dogs....get the best backpack you can afford (or that Gumtree or Freecycle offers). Also my son had an amazing immune system and never got ill which I put down to crawling around on the muddy floor, trying to drink out of the dogs water bowl etc, and he had loads of friends among the dog walking fraternity who cooed over him and, as he got older talked to him.

Good luck I'm sure your instincts are right

Hello - our dog was the sole recipient of me and bloke's soppy baby talk and wuv (as opposed to the far more sensible love) until we brought home our daughter three months ago. Even though we smothered the beast with affection (and still do, but less relentlessly)
he knew his place in the pack - which was at the bottom. He still knows his place in the pack. at the bottom. Baby is above him in the heirarchy - we do things like filling his bowl with his dinner biscuits while holding her, which shows she is higher up in the pack; holding her on the sofa and not allowing him up too - simple things, but effective.

He doesn't pay her any attention, apart from the occasional and brief sniff. That's the way we like it. Total dis-interest on his part. But knows his place.

my dog was and is lovely with both my babies, though i make good use of both playpens and dog gates to ensure the babies don't annoy her too much. dog made sure i went out every day with baby which was great for al of us - especially in the early days when vulnerable to the baby blues.

funny someone mentioned puppies, because my mum had puppies at her house whilst babysitting and baby learned to yap!

We had 2 older retrievers when I had DS, sadly we lost one before DD was born, but both had such an impact on both DC that when we lost the 2nd one we only lasted 1 month (house was far to quiet) before we gained 2 more retriever puppies.

They all love each other especially now DC can ride bikes - they love chasing around over the field and it's lovely to see the bond that has developed.

I'm hoping this will continue as we have a third dc on the way.

Also their Nanny has 3 staffs and a jack russell who don't bat an eyelid at the kids.

Our household certainly wouldn;t be complete without our dogs.

We got our Parson Russell Terrier as a pup and two weeks later found out I was preggers! He is very good natured but we made sure that he was included right from the start when ds was born. It also meant it got me out of the house with the baby in those newborn days as the dog had to be walked! Obviously I take safety precautions but the pair of them get on really well and its lovely to see them growing up together and I certainly would not be without the pooch! I read somewhere that it's useful to buy a cd with baby crying noises on it to play to the dog before baby comes home to get them used to the noise (our dog used to howl initially!) Good luck!

I have only skimmed the thread, so apologies if I'm repeating anyone here - but a work colleague of mine had, what I thought was a great idea, and bought a crying doll before and cuddled it lots so their dogs would be completely used to it by the time the baby arrived. All the best with your baby toffee

Oh, and fruits, a friend of mine did get her dog pregnant (not herself, that would be wierd) at the same time she was expecting so they could be pregnant at the same time! They've kept one of the pups and although she says its exhausting having a baby, a dog and a puppy, she would change her manic and chaotic household for the world

That's wouldn't change

My then 2 dogs ( long time ago) were only about 8 feet away when DS2 was born, as we had to have the birthing pool in our study and they slept in the boot room which was next to it. Dogs took it all in their stride and we never had any problems. 4 years earlier when DS1 was born we made a lot of fus of the dogs when we came home from hospital and just acted as if everything was normal. DS1 used to lie on our dachshund with his bottle in his mouth when he was about 9 months old.

I've had dogs all my adult life, all rescued and I've fostered various breeds too. My DDs are now 12 and 14 and we have a GSD ad an ex-abused Lab X with attitude. I've never had a moments worry regarding the DCs and the dogs which I think is partially attributable to the fact that the girls have been brought up with dogs from day one.

I despair of people who automatically want to get rid of a faithful friend as soon as they get a blue line on a pregnancy testing kit. I for one wouldn't be without my dogs, who are as much a part of the family as the children.

Good luck, I'm sure that you'll have no problems. Normally we only hear of the horror stories, be they attacks or the (imho) horrific tales of people abandoning their dogs when they have children. It takes a comment like yours to redress the balance a little. For every terrible story there are hundreds of dogs living in complete harmony with young families.

We have a 9 week old skin baby daughter and a 4 1/2 year old fur baby son and they get on just great. We had the same negativity from people. When we bought DD home, I went in the house first and made a huge fuss of the dog, then my DH bought in the little bundle in her car seat and plonked it down in the middle of the kitchen, dog sniffed her and licked her little hads, she didn't bat an eyelid. Now if she is crying and I am out of the room he comes to "tell" me she is crying. He also sleeps with his head on her bouncy chair. He is one spolied pooch but there was no jealousy at all and it is wonderful to take them both to the park

i bought home new born twins to a house with 2 labs - never a problem. The dogs had their own space and i never allowed the twins to play in their baskets or their kennels nor to interfere with their food. The twins are now 3 and half and their favourite activities are walking and feeding the dogs!

I haven't a dog myself but a good friend of mine had a mad-as-a-fish spaniel prior to having her 3 DC - the dog was no problem with the children at all, and at no time did they consider getting rid of her.

The cat otoh - different matter. After DC3 was born, the cat jumped into the pram in the garden (we were all there) and mum reacted violently to this (baby was only a few weeks old). The cat was henceforth rehomed to a cat-loving-no-DC friend (who was also there at this incident).

I don't want to get a dog (at all actually) until DS is at least 4 and understands about not poking it in the eye or playing with the poo, and the risk of toxoplasmosis-related problems is reduced. But I have agreed to a dog so long as it is a whippet!

I was wondering if there are any dog psychologists out there. The dogs must know we're pregnant, so when we bring the baby in for viewing it shouldn't be a big surprise for them? Well, maybe the pathetic size of our litter is a surprise! I'm aiming for a homebirth so they should have a very good idea of what mum is up to in the bedroom!

We had two border collies when DS (2) was born. The oldest dog watched over him (and us) constantly, I don't think she ever missed a nappy change! The youngest dog (who is as daft as a brush) has been patiently chucking tennis balls at him from day one as if to train him to play with her (which he loves). Seeing them chase each other around all summer was great. Sadly we only have the youngest dog now, but she's just as great with 8 month old DD, tolerating fur pulling and ear tweaking, and bowling tennis balls at her too. The only 'problem' we've encountered is that she tends to go a bit bonkers on walks if an unfamiliar dog approaches the children (protecting them). The canine hoovering service under the highchair saves no end of cleaning time too
Keep your dogs, babies and dogs can get along just fine!!

Ah, ToffeeAddict - as a fellow whippet owner, I think you may encounter a problem. Will your lap be big enough for 3 whippets and a baby?

Haven't read the whole thread but I'm shocked that people get rid of dogs when a baby arrives.
I'm pretty paranoid re germs and that kind of thing but our two labs were fine with dd. They have an outside kennel and run which is a big help, and we have a baby gate between the kitchen and sitting room - they need space of their own to get away from DD. They used to be allowed in the sitting room but we put the gate up before the baby was born so they would get used to the new regime. Main reason for not letting them in the sitting room anymore was to keep the carpet clean for baby to roll around on and to prevent toy stealing and baby trampling. It just makes life much easier!
I was also really careful with handwashing after touching the dogs - and that applied for visitors too.
DD is nearly 2 now and loves the dogs always hugging them and so cute when she takes them for a walk. I never leave her alone with them though, they are the gentlest dogs - but have accidently knocked her over a few times, and you can't trust a child not to poke them in the eye or something and it wouldn't be unreasonable for any dog to snap if really provoked!
IMO reliable dogs and babies are fine - just needs a bit of preparation!

I can only echo the other responses. We have 2 big soft ridgebacks and an 8 monther. No problems whatsoever. The only incident happened when the baby was in his door bouncer and got a wagging tail in the face when a vistor came in. Although we were a bit worried when we took a worn babygro home from the labour suite and they nibbled it gently .

Not read the whole thread but had a word with a dog trainer yesterday about bringing home a new baby (our dog will be 8months when our little one is born)

She said to just continue as normal but not to make a fuss of the dog when the baby is asleep or out of your arms. Just be as you would usually be. If you make a fuss when not with the baby the dog will learn that the baby takes your time away from him & could get jealous.

I have a cat and that has always been fine with dc 2.8yrs and 3 month old.

I spend a lot of time at my parents who have an old English- very large dog. From the word go dog and dc have been taught to respect each other. Ds goes on walks with the dog and we have never had a problem.

I think it is fantastic to bring children up around animals and teaches them so much and gives huge enjoyment.

Tell then to feck off

I kept fit during my pregnancies by walking my dogs and have successfully integrated 2 dc with several dogs, cats and a hamster! I'd never leave a young child or baby unattended with any dog but am sure oyu know that.

Dogs don't get jealous, btw - that's a human emotion.

All the best.

when i had my first baby my parents were always saying i would have to get rid of my two boxers, i was adamant they stayed. i think if it was not for my two dogs needing walking i would not have left the bloody house!
now i have two children and 1 on the way and oen of the remaining bosers (other died) and a year old cav spaniel who will no doubt be fine thoug hi realise it will be a struggle with three kids on a walk since the oldest child is only 2!
oh nad did i mention the cats???

We got a puppy when I was 3 months pregnant - we made a conscious decision to do it then as I think it's quite tough to introduce a puppy at a later date with a toddler for example and we knew we wanted our kids to grow up with dogs as we had.

I can't imagine not having our dog around. We chose a family orientated dog - we have Hungarian Wirehaired viszla and he is GREAT.

He was 6 months old when my first DD was born and loved her from day 1! He has never been anything but calm with the kids (unless they want him to play!). I have photos of him resting his head on the bottom of the bouncy chair and watching over DD1. When she cried he would pace around getting worried and was the best smelly nappy detector!

DD1 has grown up with him and they are like litter-mates. She has learnt a great sense of responsibilty and helps to feed and brush him (she's only 4!) and also learnt how to be considerate and gentle. Although I'm sure the dog didn't feel that way when she learnt to stand up by pulling herself up on his collar!! DD2 has less of a relationship with him as he is more bonded with DD1 but they love to hold his lead when we go out for walks. They call him and are very good at giving commands in the right tone of voice. He will sit down and lie down for both of them which I think is pretty good! He will grumble at them if they stand on his feet or drop toys on his head but if he's annoyed he just moves into another room. The kids understand his language so I don't mind - they have to get along!

Another great benefit of having pets around (we also have a cat) - as already mentioned - is the health side. I firmly believe in germs building up an immune system. Neither of my children suffer from allergies, excema, asthma etc and are in very good health. Whereas my friend who has always cleaned her house from top to bottom, hoovered every day, has no pets and uses a bottle of dettol a week has 2 children that have excema and asthma. There may not be a link but I think that allowing your child to be around animal hair etc is very good for thier immune systems. I am sure I read something once that the incidence of allergies in children who grow up on farms is really low!