how to get dogs used to a baby?
thanks in advance, cher |
|
|
| I think separation is the key,keep the baby and the dogs in separate parts of the house initially.
My sister had her husband take home a babyblanket that had been wrapped around their baby all night ,from the hospital when her baby was born and let the dogs smell the babys smell prior to taking her home.Dont know if it achieved anything. I have had seven babies and seven sheepdogs plus a few other dogs and I simply never left a baby in the same room unattended as a dog was,I supervised the dog/s closely.I shut doors beween them and sent the dogs out in the yard a lot when there was a baby in the house. I didnt let them lick the baby etc until it was a mutual thing when the toddler initiated it.Fed the baby before the dogs,in their sight.Pushed the pram out of the gate ahead of the dogs.Never let them walk in front of the pram,only behind it. Dont know if any of this was right or wrong but I have never had a child bitten by a dog...mind you,we had to rehome a cocker spaniel that was jealous of our first baby,and of me,and of anyone who got close to my husband.Nothing worked with her,she was just very territorial of him and wouldnt share so she had to go. |
I did things a little differently. Dogs can't reach a baby that's in a bassinet or crib, so I felt it was safe for them to get a good sniff of what's there w/o endangering the baby. I'm all about dogs licking the baby as well. A nice kiss from my Yuksters to the baby is just reassurance for me that she likes him. 
Seeing mommy and daddy always over the baby and racing to the baby when it cries only let my dogS know that the baby was fragile, and you have many months to adjust to which dogs you will have to keep an eye on before baby ends up on the floor or crawling. I've never had a problem, and the small ones we have had with other dogs were quickly rectified when the dog realized what was not allowed (teeth, growling, etc). Mine are ALWAYS the ones to tell us when there's a dirty diaper. Secretly, something yummy to them attracts them which is disgusting but it sure helps me know something is wrong before it "spills out."  |
Joahaeyo wrote: I did things a little differently. Dogs can't reach a baby that's in a bassinet or crib, so I felt it was safe for them to get a good sniff of what's there w/o endangering the baby. I'm all about dogs licking the baby as well. A nice kiss from my Yuksters to the baby is just reassurance for me that she likes him.
Right on target. I have a show home that had a baby 9 months ago. Their OES was just a bit over 2 years old. We told them to let her sniff & lick the baby while they held it when they brought her home from the hospital. I have been there when baby is crawling around on the floor & the dog just keeps any eye on her & if she gets too far away she repositions herself to keep her in range. She will come right over when baby was opening a Christmas present , look very interested but never do anymore. As far as leaving them alone in a room.....common sense rules here. I just wouldn't do it unless baby was in the crib. Dogs need their own space too. |
| I have a 7 month old and Barney, who's 4. So far there's been no issues.
We didn't do anything special to prepare him. He seemed really concerned the first few times she cried after bringing her home, but after that it didn't phase him. I never leave them alone together where he can get to her (like the floor--he's so clumsy he'd step right on top of her). So it'll be interesting now that she's about to become mobile. I'd say, you know your dogs and their personalities. Let that guide you with how you introduce them. They'll adjust to the baby. I know I feel bad for Barns sometimes because he definitely doesn't get as much attention as he used to, but he's fine with it. He was probably secretly happy that Mom didn't have time to find him a Halloween costume this year! 
Congrats and good luck! |
| thanks a bunch for the tips its much appreciated. my kids are usually pretty good so i hope all goes well.
cher |
| Good luck.The others are most likely right,I was freaked out as a child by an older much trusted family pet of my aunts biting my cousin on the face for no obvious reason so I always erred on the side of caution.(Or maybe paranoia!)I hate reading about dogs attacking their family members esp if the owners say "We never had any reason to not trust the dog with the baby,she has always been gentle as a lamb."
That same cousin later as an adult had a baby that choked on a baby rusk,my kids never ever got a baby rusk in their lives.I tend to over react. |
| I just wanted to second the opinions of the other posters. I have an 11 month old and an almost 3 year old and a 3 year old sheepie. I have to tell you that she has been nothing but gentle and loving from day 1. She is very attentive and sweet around both of them. When I was nursing my first baby (now 3 years old) and as I continue to nurse my 11 month old she loves to sit right by my feet. She is always patient and gentle with both of them but I, of course, monitor them for everyone's safety. I do know that toddlers/ little children can unintentionally hurt (hitting, throwing things, toddler behavior, etc.) family dogs so they should never be left unattended for everyone's safety, quite obviously. With that said, she has been an innately fantastic & loving dog. Sometimes I think we don't give them enough credit for knowing exactly what's going on!! Best wishes to you and PM me if you have any questions. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|