Sorry, this has probably been covered before, but I couldn't find any threads. We are experienced dog owners having owned all our lives, and currently share our home with delightful lurcher Charlie, who's nine years old (we have had him for nearly three years, and he was a rescue). He is a lovely dog and I'm not anticipating any major problems when our baby is born (due in six weeks) but as he's a rescue we don't know how much (if any) prior experience he has with babies, and obviously want to be prepared. Here's what we've done so far:
- implemented changes to our routine now that will affect him, eg stopping him coming in bedrooms, so he won't associate that with the baby.
- played him a CD of babies crying (he fell asleep, don't think he was overly bothered!)
- got a doll and started carrying it round, talking to it etc (he looks very scornful - "I can tell it's not real Mum!")
I will make sure DH brings something home from the hospital that smells of the baby for Charlie to sniff, and we're going to do everything we can to make sure he doesn't feel left out - making time for "Charlie time" when baby is sleeping, taking him on lots of walks with baby in a sling, making sure visitors to see baby also give Charlie a biscuit and fuss as well. And of course dog and baby will never be left alone for a second, and as the baby grows up we will teach it to respect the dog and leave him alone if he's sleeping or eating, never climb all over him etc. Can anyone think of anything else we can do? Thanks!