Introducing Dogs to a newborn baby.

[Biscuits_mam]

Hello All

I'm after a bit of advice/experience if possible. As most know we have two wonderful Rescues, Biscuit ( Paddy K15) who we adopted as a 16 week terror pup in June 2012 from CDH & Willow a shy lurcher cross who's scared of her own shadow but a complete loon from DT. Both had separation anxiety but now are fab don't get me wrong they still have their odd wimping days. They are great with children.

We are expecting our first baby in just 9 weeks time & the closer it's getting the more I'm worry about the dogs. I'm hoping there's someone with experience of introducing baby into the home with resident dogs that can give me some good tips. The dogs of obviously been our babies ( spoilt but they live as dogs sleep down stairs, eat dog food but love a cwtch) for the past 2/3 years.

Throughout the pregnancy I have not been able to move from biscuit he is my shadow to the point he's sat outside the bathroom waiting for me when I go to the loo.

I'm hoping they will adjust reasonably but any tips will be great fully appreciated.

Nicola

[Jenna]

Hi Nicola

I have an eight week old little boy and was every bit as nervous about bringing him home. My CDH girl Elsie like your Biscuit suffered with separation anxiety and was my shadow throughout my pregnancy bless her.

I did all the usual things like playing baby noises so she got used to the sound of a baby crying, walking her alongside the pram and leaving baby things out.

One of the things I think helped most though was my husband brought home my babies first sleep suit whilst we were still in hospital so she got used to his scent. When we brought George home she was kept on a lead and allowed to have a cheeky sniff but she seemed to know he was supposed to be here. I really think the sleep suit helped.



I'm not going to lie it wasn't all plain sailing as she still got nervous when he cried but I think more because she was worried about him and she definitely suffered from sleep deprivation like us in the first few weeks! It was amazing to see her bond with him though and she was so proud trotting next to the pram



Sadly, our beautiful Elsie died suddenly last week but baby George could not have had a better first dog.

Be prepared but try not to worry too much, I'm sure your boys will be fab big brothers.

Good luck x

[Becky]

I dont have human babies myself but my cousin recently had a little one and was worried about his young dog and a new born baba. He said this advice from the Blue Cross was pretty good.

Blue Cross

You guys must be getting pretty excited now x

[Biscuits_mam]

Ah thanks for the response ladies. Do sorry to here about Elsie :-(

Fab tip on sleep suit though I will get OH to bring one home from hospital for scent. We have played some baby noises Willow is not at least bothered but Biscuit is very alert & curious.

Hopefully they will both settle into routine after a few weeks. Will check out bluecross too.

We are both very excited now but anxious about dogs too. :-)

[Jenna]

I think I was more worried about how the dog would react than labour! Hopefully once they recognise the little one as part of the pack they'll settle into a routine quickly. X