Dog and new baby!

[superlambanana]

I've posted in Parenting as well but I thought this might also be a good place to come!

We have a fairly large breed rescue dog and DC1 is due in June. DH thinks I'm worrying unnecessarily but I want to make sure we do everything we can to keep baby safe and not put the dog under any pressure. 99% of the time she is the most loveable, soft dog in the world, but she has snapped at people very occasionally when she is scared (we don't let strangers stroke her because she is scared of people she doesn't know, for example). So far we have kept her well away from toddlers as they scare her - the size really doesn't help as they tend to be right at her eye level.

We are already planning to put baby gates in from before the baby comes, so we can manage where the dog goes. She's not allowed upstairs at all or on the furniture, and she knows this. Obviously we will never, ever leave her alone with the baby for even a moment. The dog is a very important part of the family and we don't want to exclude her but I need some advice on how to manage it! We are planning to buy the Stokke Tripp Trapp chair with the newborn attachment so we can keep baby off the floor.

Any advice, tips or experiences would be very gratefully received!

Best tip I was given was to put any baby stuff that's going to be in areas the dog is allowed so dog has ample time to get used to them and walk round them etc.

Same principle as the baby gates, get her used to where she can and can't go.

There are some really good resources here [[https://www.facebook.com/notes/dog-training-advice-and-support/dogs-and-children/745013135514246dogs and children]

Sorry, will try again www.facebook.com/notes/dog-training-advice-and-support/dogs-and-children/745013135514246

Make sure her on lead/loose lead walking is really good before the baby comes. You'll be doing lots of walks with either a pram/stroller or a slow toddler so you'll need to have a dog that walks nicely by your side.

It's also worth thinking through some of the issues that will arise - for instance, you'll have lots of visitors (possibly even houseguests) when the baby is born. Things to think about include making sure the dog is able to escape somewhere peaceful and quiet, and making sure visiting family members are drilled about things like not leaving doors open. We find for instance that my MIL, though lovely, is hopeless for leaving the front door open.

It's also worht considering investing in a professional dog walker for the very last few weeks of your pregnancy (depending on how you are feeling) and also for after the baby is born. You'll be knackered and depending on baby, might be glad that this is one less job on your list. Getting this organised in advance will give you the chance for dog and walker to get used to each other etc.

Thanks. Currently FIL walks her as he dogsits while we're at work (my working hours change after we got her). This is what worries me because no matter how consistent we are with her he doesn't believe in training and thinks it's a waste of time so he undoes our hard work. It won't be an issue while I'm on maternity leave, as I'll do it, but given that he lets her jump out of the car as soon as he opens the boot, no matter how often we ask him to tell her to wait (which she's good at with us) I'm a little worried about being able to train her properly beforehand.