Ask Me Help Desk - Dogs around babies

I'm 7 months pregnant and was wondering how the baby is going to change things for the house dogs ( my jack russel and mom's doberman, the small doberman breed not the big one ) I have no idea whether dogs can sense if you're pregnant or not, but spud my jack russel takes quite a liking to my tummy, always licking it and laying down near it doesn't seem to mind the baby kicking him when he's against my tummy. I know that the baby should never be around the dogs without supervision and all those basic things. Any other advise you might have for me?

MOST dogs love babies and are protective of them, and tolerate ear and tail pulling and all sorts of abuse, especially when there are there from day one. But occasionally a dog gets jealous and neurotic, and it will be obvious. So just watch as you would with older kids or anyone. JRTs have a reputation for not tolerating children and it makes them one of the most abandoned breeds. But there are exceptions of course, and yours sounds like he's one.

Thank you. And you guys don't have to worry, I would never abandon my little spud. If it turns out he gets aggressive and jealous of the baby, I'd simply not let him near the baby, but I'd never abandon him, he'll just have his own separate play time. But I don't think he'd be aggressive, my aunt and her 3 year old grand son came to visit and Spud quite enjoyed his company.

Good little Spud. I would never abandon my JRT either. Or any dog.

You could start introducing baby things now. Let him sniff the baby blankets and toys and what not. They have tapes of baby's making noise and crying that you can use to help ease the dog into the baby thing.

With dogs and baby, you should start introducing your rules and limits now; such as, no dogs allowed in the baby's room. If you start now, it won't be such a surprise once the baby is here and jealousy issues arise.

I have a little story... not sure if it will help you or not but here it is...

We had a beautiful Siberian Husky. The dog was a complete lunatic. So much energy and a real crazy and playful dog. He was great, don't get me wrong with what I'm saying, but he just had so much energy. He would chase our cats and roll them over. He would run around. He would jump on people. He played very roughly.

So anyway, my wife became pregnant and I figured that we may wind up needing to get rid of him if he did this around the baby but we kept him to be sure. When we brought my daughter home, we let him sniff her and check her out. We were cautious with the 2 of them together but guess what? He became a completely different dog as soon as she was there.

He suddenly calmed down. He stayed near her all the time. It was like he was watching out for her. As she got a little older, she would crawl on him and pull on his tail and ears. She would sit on him. He sat there and took it. He didn't like it but never growled or did anything other than get up and walk away as soon as she got off him. They became best friends.

The sad part is that he was her first experience with death and she took it very hard. Age 4... we came downstairs one morning and he was lying dead on the floor. The whole thing still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.

But anyway... give the dogs a chance. You never know how they may react to a new baby. Be careful at first and you may see the same kinds of changes that I saw in my Husky, Odinn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky098

With dogs and baby, you should start introducing your rules and limits now; such as, no dogs allowed in the baby's room. If you start now, it won't be such a surprise once the baby is here and jealousy issues arise.

Thank you. Could you maybe help me with a list of rules? When I was growing up, my parents didn't have any house dogs only yard dogs. So she isn't quite so clear on the subject either. And I would hate it if Spud became so bad that we'd have to keep him outside in fear of the child's safety, as I see him as my child as well. I tend to get that way, I'm an animal lover and have a really soft heart for animals, when I see a dog that's been underfed I don't even want to touch my food. Wich is why I wouldn't want to upset my dog or be forced to keep him outside.

Odinn, thaks so much for sharing your story, it gave me some peace of mind, and I'm so sorry for your loss:( I can see you were attached as your display name is also odinn same as your dog, and I know no dog will ever replace him. When I lost my dog 4 years ago I've always had an emptyness, Spud could never replace her, but he has brought love to my heart again. Best of luck to you

Odinn, that really touched me. I found my late husband's much loved dog, Andi, dead at the foot of my bed last April. Maybe that's a dog's last and most precious gift - we don't have to make the choice between life and death, they take care of it for us.

Now I have tears in my eyes!

And for Hayley - I realize you have other dogs in your house and live with (minimally) your mother and 16-year old brother. I realize your brother isn't always responsible. Do you have means to control how other people are around your baby and dog? You can do everything you can and be undermined very easily. Have you talked to them about how the dogs will be handled around the baby?

Judy - yes I've talked to them about my baby and my spud. My step-brother is accually quite responsible, it's that damn friend of his, but his dad said he doesn't want him around our house anymore as he's a bad invluence.
And my mother is OVER PROTECTIVE, aspecialy when it come to kids, heck, I wasn't allowed out till after 8pm until I was 16 and even then, my curfue wasn't held back much longer, it turned from 8pm to 11pm, even 5 minutes late I got grounded, so she's not an issue, as for my brother, he knows me well, and knows I can get REAL mean, like when he used to blast us out of the house with his music, and I told him if he ever did that when the baby is born, I wouldn't even give warning, I'd just go inside his room and wreck his sound system. He knows I'd really do it.
My family isn't much concern, it's more the dogs, cause I have no idea how they are going to react to a new family member. I know the doberman has jealousy issues, but when she gets jealous she just gives the silent treatment. Spud is just a ball of energy, but understandibly, he's still a pup.

And the father of your child, how is he with the dogs and soon-to-be baby?

He's quite excited about becoming a dad, when I was just two month he'd already bought clothes and these cute little socks.
And he's also very loving with spud. He moved in last December, so all the dogs are used to him by now, but not all of them really play with him. He was with me when I saw the puppy liter in wich spud was, and decided to take spud, and was also helpful when we had to wake up to feed spud (got him at 3 weeks of age, mothers milk had run dry) so he also loves spud a huge deal.

I think your baby and Spud are very, very fortunate to have you in their lives!

You sound like a caring, considerate person.

Lol thanks I am couldn't imagen a life without dogs. Wich is why I can't understand people abbusing their pets, it's heartless, or that they want to ban the pitbull, it's obvious the owners make them aggressive.

As you have said, and others have answered, Please be careful around dogs with your new baby. Don't let the baby out of your sight with the dogs... everyone knows there is a chance, whether slim, that anything, God forbid, can happen! Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredg

As you have said, and others have answered, Please be careful around dogs with your new baby. Don't let the baby out of your sight with the dogs.....everyone knows there is a chance, whether slim, that anything, God forbid, can happen! Good luck.

Thanks, I know what can happen, in south africa, one dog tore a girls face off when the parent left her alone outside, and I've read about this dad that left his baby in the swing chair, and went to take a nap ( what a horrible excuse for a dad ) and the dog mistook the baby for a chew toy and accually ripped his leg off, and the dad just slept through it all. It's unbelievable.

Hayle...

The number one rule I would enforce is that the dog not be allowed in the baby's room. If you think in dog, you just had a puppy.. none of the members of the pack are really allowed in the den after the female had her puppies.. This is a natural thing and most dogs understand that youngsters are off limits until they are older. This is going to eliminate an unhealthy relationship between the dog and baby. Sometimes dogs become jealous and will pee in the babies room in retaliation of a new critter taking up all of your time.

I also wouldn't make the baby a mysterious object. Make sure that the dog is present and apart of your time with your baby. Your dog doesn't need to be invading your space or the baby's, but also don't lock him up in another room every time you mess with your baby. If you don't make a big deal over your baby with the dog being around it, than the baby won't be considered a threat to your dogs status in the pack. Treat your dog like you are right now. Try your very hardest to give him extra attention after your baby arrives and maybe even an extra treat. Maintaining a healthy relationship with your dog during the first couple of months with a new baby are very vital.

As others have said, never let your baby be alone or on the floor/couch with your dog. Most family pets have a hard time accepting babies because they are very confusing. Babies don't smell like people and they sound like sick/injured animals. That is where the bites come from. Always be present with your baby in your arms when the dog is allowed to be close. Give reassuring gestures and voices when the dog comes close and watch his body language. Dogs will typically stare and stiffen their body before they bite.

Its going to be an awkward transition for everyone involved, but you will find your groove and things will fall into place well. If your dog is a well mannered, socialized and good doggy, this will not be hard to introduce at all. Get in contact with a dog trainer, whether its over the internet or local, who is able to help you introducing a baby to a dog.

Your dog may be very accepting and you may not have any issues whatsoever. But it never hurts to have a good back up plan and idea of what to do if your dog isn't thrilled to have a baby in his home.