spoilt dog with new baby?

[jess27x]

i have owned my dog for over 8 years. he was/is my first love and has in turn been spoilt ALOT. he does sit on my lap, sleep in my bed and demand all of my attention most of the time. he is also very boisterous (was never much of a problem until now)

i am having my first baby at the beginning of august and as much as i am happy about this i cant help but be seriously worried about safety of the baby as well as not wanting to exclude my beloved pet from the lifestyle he is so used to.

any suggestions on how to introduce them both?

[Riversidegirl]

You don't say what breed you have and this may make a difference; he may have been bred to chase (collie), guard (german shepard) or retrieve (labrador) and this instinct wont have left him.

Get a recommended proffessional dog psychologist in. Ask at your local vets. He/She should introduce you working as a pack leader which is what the dog will understand. be prepared to be flamed for spoiling your dog in the first place though.

Otherwise you may have to be thinking about rehoming your loyal pal. Unfair.

My family have always had dogs and they have shared the experience of rearing a little human too!

[Bellaboo123]

I'm in the same situ although I have 2 babies ( dogs). Ive heard bring something back that smells of the baby from the hospital to get them used to the smell...

Has your dog noticed your pregnant - they say some pick up on it...mine haven't but I'm only - 17 weeks

[Choufleur]

I think you need to stop spoiling the dog now so that he is used to not being able to do all of those things when the baby comes - and doesn't feel pushed out quite so much by the baby.

[batteryhen]

I agree that you need to start laying down some rules now. Otherwise when you get the baby home, and start laying down the law then, it will be really hard!

I am also due in August, first baby etc. We have an 8 month cocker spaniel, and we got him when I was 6 weeks pregnant, so we have always known the baby was on the way. Because of that we have been quite firm with the pup. No getting on the sofa (if we want cuddles - we get on the floor which he loves) no going up staris at all, and he sleeps in the kitchen. He also goes to obediance classes as if I am walking him with baby - I need some level of control!!

Try to start now, when you still have time :) I have also heard about bringing someting home from the hospital that smells of tha baby etc.

The pup is also aware of the bump, he sniffs it a lot and tries to lick it :)

[BonkeyMollocks]

I agree, you need to start putting you foot down now.

If you leave it until the baby arrives, then the dog may associate the baby with you being more assertive and could possibly cause more problems.

[jess27x]

RIVER he is a collie/springer cross but he very rarely chases anything (not even nexts doors rabbits when they dig under the fence) he isnt aggressive he is just big and clumsy. rehoming would be very last resort in my eyes. i duno if im just being over dramatic slightly and thinking it will be worst than it actually is my dp and df (who lives with us) are not worried at all but i suppose its because the dog doesnt sit on their lap or follow them every where.

BELLA im so glad im not the only person in the world that calls my dog my baby!! my dog knew before me i think and has on the odd occasion been kicked in the face by baby (very comical) i have heard the bringing something smelly home which is my number 1 thing to be done after the birth. i have also starting buying him toys and treats for the first few days/weeks which he can entertain himself with

CHOU i have started not letting him sit on my lap as much but thats because its harder for him to fit on me now. i think its harder for me than him but i know im not helping either of us

it might just all be me being overdramatic and hormonal. he might be an amazing big brother (fingers crossed ay)

[Lonelylou]

I like the toys/treats idea! He'll need to entertain himself while you get ready for the 'pack walk' with baby in the pushchair. Will he still be allowed upstairs? I have never allowed my dogs upstairs. I love my dogs but hate the idea of the hair and dander on my bed...yeuk!

[batteryhen]

We have a kong for ours - it keeps him entertained :) Our dog is not allowed upstairs - partly because of the muck etc but also my cat sleeps on the linen basket on the landing - she needs a place to get away from him!

[jess27x]

LONELY i sorta got the idea of here with a lady doing her husband a gift bag and thought i could do that for the dog lol. i am so tempted to try and see how he goes with walking next to the pushchair but dont want people to think im mental pushing an empty one around.

he will still be allowed upstairs but i wash my sheets 2/3 times a week. luckily he has found a spot under the babies cot which he really really likes (he not in the way if he under there)

BATTERY i was looking at kongs the other day. what do you put in them? cuz i no he would have them biscuits out in seconds. im quite tempted to get one and put peanut butter in there? here thats really good for their coats

[batteryhen]

I put peanut butter in ours. Just around the inside of the rim. Sometimes I put cheese but it is fattening! My friend shoves ice cubes in there. Low fat - and keeps them going for ages!!

[Number44]

My dif

[Choufleur]

Pâté in them and freeze it - keeps them going for ages

[signet2012]

I have a border collie springer cross and I'm due in August with first DC. I haven't babyfied him but he does rule the roost - allowed anywhere and knows he is the king and we are merely his servants.

I too have concerns especially when he growls at my friends crawling baby. I don't think there is any aggression as his tail wags and there is no snarling but he just does not know what to make of this small crawling person.

I have moved his bed out of the spare room which will become the babies room and have got in the habit of closing the door when we aren't in there. He is well trained and walks well so no issues there although he tends to dislike wheels so maybe a sling not a pushchair for walking baby and dog. He definitely knows in pregnant as he is very clingy and protective and if he lays his head on my bump and baby moves he jumps up with his ears forward it's quite funny.

When baby comes I'm going to send clothes home so he knows her smell and then introduce her in my arms, then from there he will continue to have his routine stuck to (dp has already started walking him more than I do etc in preparation). I obviously would not leave a baby unattended with a dog regardless of its nature but with mine being vocal about his displeasure he will not be left alone with her. I am hoping lots of fuss and attention but firm hand if required is going to work.

[jess27x]

peanut butter and pate it is then. he is going to be very happy with this. thank god dp works at pets at home otherwise i would be broke lol

SIGNET it must be collie/springer crosses that have an king like presence in their homes. my concerns are more about him accidently standing or sitting on her whilst trying to get to me. i am allowing him in the nursery as he always wants to be where he isnt allowed to be so by not banning him i think he will be less interested. he doesnt seem to bothered by the pushchair atm but will be taking someone on the first few walks to make sure it is managable. i have also invest in a play pen to save baby from dog and dog from baby. im going to make sure he had an extra long walk just before we come home so he is too tired to care (fingers crossed)

thank you to everyone who has commented this is my first post and found it very helpful

[signet2012]

I think I will have the same problem. Mine wouldn't bite her but he would run over her if laid on the floor and something (shadow or reflection) caught his attention. He may try and love her like he does his teddy. He carries it about in his mouth licking it lovingly and putting it in his basket but them after a few months of bonding and generally mothering a teddy he rips it's head off and dumps it in the garden so he will bear watching

[jess27x]

its the door being knocked with me he makes a mad beeline for the door taking out anyone in his path. she is deffo staying in the play pen i think. mine has a teddy he has never killed his though but i hope your boy doesnt carry the baby in to the garden that would be hard to explain lol!

[Lonelylou]

Take care Signet 2012. A wagging tail is not always the sign of a happy dog. It can be a 'flag' of dominance.

[signet2012]

Ill bear that in mind thanks.

Its impossiible to read his body language because has issues and as I have mentioned in previous threads - seems to have his own thing going on.

That said, as a result of this, he is never left alone with small children or babies, is kept at a safe distance with constant supervision simply because he is so unpredicatable and normal signs dont seem to apply with him!