Newborn - Transitioning Greta

[Greta's People]

My husband and I are expecting our first human child, due in one month. Our Rottweiler, Greta, was our first baby. I wasn't sure if I should enter this under "behaviour" or "training". I really want the transition to go smoothly for Greta when we bring the baby home.

Does anyone have advice on how to handle the situation for optimum effect for Greta and for us? I should mention that Greta has had the run of the house for the the last 3 years (she just turned 3 yrs old), sleeping in our bedroom at night.

2 months ago we put a gate up in the kitchen/dining area and have slowly moved her into that space (its a rather roomy area combining a kitchen and dining room with windows to see outside and she has a view of the living room) when she is not in the backyard. We started by putting her in the space with the gate closed for a couple of hours at a time, then progressing toward spending the night there, finally to spending her time there when she in indoors (this part started 2 days ago). ANY ADVICE ON INTRODUCING THE BABY TO HER? ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO HANDLE ANYTHING ELSE REGARDING THE NEW SITUATION?

THANK YOU,
Greta's People

[Judi W]

It has been my experience that if the dog has training, likes people and is of a general disposition that is pleasant to be around for all, bringing in the babies is not an issue. If the above is not the case, then you face the same training and behavior issues that should be dealt with anyway. Do you have reason for concerns that she would not be safe around the baby? Is that why the kitchen thing or is it that you are concerned about cleanliness?

Is your idea that she will now be living in the kitchen? or is this conditioning simply so she will have a place to be that is not underfoot when dealing with the baby? Confinement for safety reasons is only sensible. For any other reason, I believe that it builds frustration for the dog who still has the same social needs and desires that it had before a baby joined the family.

[Burnsway]

Being that we are "TRYING" I have been giving this a lot of thought. I was telling my husband how I didn't even worry with Angel our past chow mix because she was so calm and just accepted a new baby and that I don't know why I was worrying more with Psyche. Psyche has more training....lol

Well talk about putting foot in mouth. I was watching an old home movie of the day I brought my daughter home (11 yrs ago) and I had baby gates up blocking the living from kitchen and kitchen from hall ways going to the bedrooms. In the film Angel was whining and jumping sky high to try and get over the gates when I walked in with baby. In the film I told her knock it off baby comes first and she isn't getting anywhere near us.......roflmao! I did not remember any of this....

My point being I think if you use your brain and are responsible you will do whatever it takes to keep a new baby safe and all pets still living quality of life and happy. Angel wanted for nothing....... Their will be changes of course but I think the dogs usually handle these better then we do.......

[Dagos-Dad]

Please forgive me if I'm wrong here, but when I read your post what I hear is...the dog is being exiled to the kitchen and not to be with the family when inside. I'm far from an expert on the breed, but I do know that they are pack animals and need to be with the family, not in the kitchen watching everyone else. I understand your concern about a dog and a new baby, but again, if the dog is trained correctly, there shouldn't be problems that can not be quickly handled. I'm also not advocating that you should just let the dog hang with the baby unattended, but I'm sure you know that anyway

Good luck with the whole "family"

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Dagos-Dad

Please forgive me if I'm wrong here, but when I read your post what I hear is...the dog is being exiled to the kitchen and not to be with the family when inside. "

I know you directed this to the original OP but that was kinda the point of my post. Being worried and separating everyone at first is going to be her natural reaction as a protective mother. We separate dogs anytime we bring a new dog in also to see what everyones reaction is going to be. It will take time but most dogs do seem to accept new comers after a little while but I still don't believe babies and dogs need to interact with one another for a bit. It, "In my opinion" needs to be a slow thought out safe for all transition. But thats just me.

With us, I remember actually spending more time with my dogs while the baby slept because I felt guilty their life had changed a bit.. But I certainly don't remember telling my dog she wasn't getting anywhere near us........

[Judi W]

Well, me, I simply entered the house, dog got a good sniff of the baby and settled down to watch with complete fasination. I'm sure he could have changed the diapers given the chance because he watched so carefully. Dog actually benefited, not because I felt guilty, but because we had even more frequent walks, baby in stroller or cuddler pack when newborn and dog along for the walk. Two different dogs, two differnt babies, same process. I was always very comfortable with my dog's presence and not overly concerned about the possiblity of occasional dog hair getting in the blanket.

[Greta's People]

Thank you for all of your responses. It is helpful especially to hear from those of you have brought newborns home to your dogs. To answer a few of your questions:

1) Greta has never been around children or babies (neither have I really). The only thing I have to go on is how she has reacted when a friend has brought her dog over or when we have visited friends or family with dogs. Greta's reaction is to keep the other dogs away from us. She is territorial, but so far, not overly aggressive. She loves adult company. When people drop by she gets very excited and loves the attention, is very friendly, jumps a bit. Still...

2) If she seems ok with the baby, then she can come into the rest of the house when my husband and I are ready for her to again, with us there, every now and then. We have a small home (and the "exile" into the kitchen/dining area is to give my husband and I time to adjust without Greta under foot and/or possibly patrolling us as she does with other dogs while we are getting used to a newborn). Again, I also dont know what her reaction will be to the baby and want to excercise caution.

3) We have never had Greta in any formal training program. We just never got around to it. My husband has trained her in basic ways and she is very smart and listens to him, more so than me. I have wanted to take her to training myself and will when I have the opportunity. I regret that I havent yet done so. I understand Dagos Dad's concern below, but I can assure you, that we havent and wont leave her seperated and with no interaction with us specifically because we know that she needs to and is used to being with us (pack mentality considered as well). I wanted to transition her into the situation in the kitchen rather than coming home and slamming her abruptly into it out of concern for her.

You are absolutely right, Burnsway, I want to protect the baby! I also love my dog like a child and feel guilty about the upcoming changes for her too much like you did! I suspect we'll do the same thing, spend more time with Greta to compensate for the changes.

I heard that I should show our dog the child outside of the home first, for instance (i.e, in the driveway), let her get a good look and smell. Then I guess periodically bring the baby to the dog in the home and let her look and smell some more. I also heard it would be good to for my husband to bring something that smells of the baby home from the hospital, if he has the opportunity, prior to us bringing the baby home. Beyond that I havent heard much more "technique" advice. Does this sound right to you guys?

Thanks to you all, once again.

[mmilard]

I can't speak from experience, because I don't have any children of my own yet...working on it though. But I think that bringing something home from the hospital that smells like the baby, if you are able to, is a good idea. That way Greta can get the smell, and then when the baby gets home, let her smell the baby, and she should know that "hey! I smelt that earlier". Sure she may get excited, who wouldn't? It just has to be a slow process. But praise her as much as you do the baby. Make her feel included, and play with her more when the baby is sleeping. I've always been told that when ever I get pregnant, include the dog througout the pregnancy. Example: The baby get's something, like a gift, Greta get's a gift. That way she won't get jealous of the baby. I've also been told to do that when I have a second child, if the first child is young...baby get's a gift, the other child get's a gift.

You just have to remember, Greta thinks that she is your baby too.

But I could be wrong, and if so, please feel free to correct me.

[Judi W]

I see no reason for a driveway introduction and suspect it will be more likely to stimulate jumping to get a good look. This baby is not going to be a visitor but a resident of the home. Give the dog the information that the baby is precious to you and under your protection and ownership. Bring the baby in and sit down so it is not held high causing the dog to jump to see what it is, then have the dog come in on a loose lead held by your husband with the caution to "be gentle" if she starts poking too vigorously during the sniffing that will follow is often an excellent method for those initial sniffs. Dogs want ample time to sniff and sniff and sniff deeply (the diaper area is particularly fascinating). You want her to know what and who the baby is.

[mmilard]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I see no reason for a driveway introduction and suspect it will be more likely to stimulate jumping to get a good look. This baby is not going to be a visitor but a resident of the home. Give the dog the information that the baby is precious to you and under your protection and ownership. Bring the baby in and sit down so it is not held high causing the dog to jump to see what it is, then have the dog come in on a loose lead held by your husband with the caution to "be gentle" is often an excellent method for those initial sniffs.

Good advice Judy!

[LavenderRott]

I did what Judi did. Walked right in and sat right down. I don't remember Chase watching in fascination though. If I remember right, she got a good sniff and went and laid down, resuming her nap. (She is a very laid back girl.)

[Judi W]

mmilard,
Actually, dogs do not count toys like siblings (who for sure keep a careful eye on such things). You really don't need to do the a toy for each. The most important thing to dogs is to be included and that is a gift to them that costs nothing.

[Dagos-Dad]

The most important thing to dogs is to be included and that is a gift to them that costs nothing.

Says it all

[mmilard]

Originally Posted by Judi W

mmilard,
Actually, dogs do not count toys like siblings (who for sure keep a careful eye on such things). You really don't need to do the a toy for each. The most important thing to dogs is to be included and that is a gift to them that costs nothing.

Thanks Judy. Like I said, I don't have any children but that was what I was told. But thank you for correcting me. I would hate for the OP to get bad advice.

But what about including them in the pregnancy? Is there a way to do that without the pups getting jealous?

[Judi W]

Originally Posted by mmilard

But what about including them in the pregnancy? Is there a way to do that without the pups getting jealous?

Huh? Like how? Showing them the sonograms? Look they get extra walks during the keeping-fit during pregnancy time. Children, babies and pregnancies are perfectly normal in family life. Normal dogs are very flexible and most of the complexities are human imagined about things that are totally natural for the dogs. Generally, I say that if you have raised your dog as a dog and not mistaken it for a child, that it is basically a mentally sound dog with the training expected of any dog to be a good family member, relax.