Newborn human babies?

[juggernaut_7]

Any advice about introducing Zeus to our newborn at the end of June?

[WorkinDogz]

Congratulations Zeus'Dad! :D Mrs. Zeus'Dad too of course ;)

I have just a little experience in this area....6 times. LOL :)

This is only my method; and I'm certain there is a web site or a hundred that is out there to help as well.

When I bring my baby (or babies as has been the case twice) home...I keep the baby in the carrier/carseat and position it on the couch. (that's the same couch that my dogs are not permitted to be on.)

I then invite the dogs, one at a time to sniff, smell, look at and investigate this new being. (The whole time I'm sitting RIGHT NEXT TO THE BABY, talking in a soothing tone to the dog, and reinforcing "eeeeeeeasy...niiiice baby" while using a stoking petting; NOT patting.)

Never, ever do I allow the dogs to be with the baby; EVEN in the baby's bedroom if I am not there. (The cry of a newborn baby is very much like dying prey. If a dog has never been exposed to the strange noises babies make; this is something that could easily confuse them...and even frighten them.)

This is a daily ritual. It doesn't take long for the dogs to almost get annoyed that I keep calling them over..."Yes MOM...we get the picture...it's a BABY and it's STAYING...I'm going to go back over here and nap if it's all the same to you!" :)

One other thing...

Expect Zeus to be VERY happy to see your wife since he hasn't seen her since you wisked her off to the hospital :D I would suggest she come into the house (leave you and your new bundle of much joy in the car for a few minutes) just so she can say hello to him and help him through his initial "OH you're HOME! Yipeeee!" thing.

Have her put him in his crate or another room behind a closed door so you can bring the baby in....set up....and get his leash.

Depending on his level of training (and if he normally does NOT jump on you or your wife....or the couch ) I would leash him, just as an added little precaution.

I've honestly never had any problems introducing my adult dogs to any of my children....in fact...my Aik (GSD) is the one who told me I was pregnant with my 6th! He would lay his big German head in my lap and nuzzle my abdomen. Very unusual behavior for him. He's a pet-n-go dog...no real cuddle bunny.

Maybe it's a K9 6th sense :)

[DiscoDoggy]

I agree..I think dogs have sixth sense about the pregnacy thing. Both my husbands basset 5 yrs ago with my first, and our now rotty with the new baby, followed me around the house ALWAYS!! Bout drove me crazy..couldnt even go to the bathroom without them.

Our rotty was and is VERY sweet, but seemed a little distressed at the first sounds from the new baby. We did the same thing as WorkinDogz. Put the baby on the couch in the carrier, and let Disco sniff her while talking to her sweetly. She now could care less about her, unless shes on the floor in her excersaucer, for some reason, she then becomes fascinated by her...I catch her all the time inching closer and closer..and trying to lick the baby's head..shes funny, shell get real close...kind of fidgety..then look at me outta the corner of her eye, and SWOOSH!!...make a big cowlick in the baby's hair..to which Im not thrilled with...but it is funny to see the baby react...she too loves to watch our dog.

[Chloesmom]

Congrats! We did had a homebirth with my daughter, so Chloe got to meet the baby about an hour after she was born. Chloe was happy to see that we were both o.k., and we gave her a blanket that the baby had been wrapped in to smell. Also, I always praised Chloe while I held the baby in my arms to create a positive connection between the two. When I was up and about again, I would take Chloe on short walks, just she and I, while my husband took care of Sophia. It was nice to have the time together. The crying didn't seem to bother Chloe too much, she just seemed bored by it.

Now the two of them are fast friends. Chloe sits right next to the high chair waiting for the food bombs to fly down. She also has this "thing" for baby socks, she will steal them right off Sophia's feet! We scold her for that. I'll find her contentedly sucking on one of those little socks - its so gross!

Keep the interactions positive and be ever vigilant!

[Rachel27]

I am glad to hear all the positives. We just found out we are expecting as well. I am due in November. Our Rottie is just one year old now. Very hyper, but as sweet and gentle as they come. I am concerned as well because Roxie is very loyal to us and my son, just dont want her to be jealous or try to "protect" the baby and hurt him or her. She wouldnt intentionally hurt a flea on her back, but all of this info is great to know. Any suggestions on how to "prime" the dog for the new arrival? It may be all in my head, but I swear she knows I'm pregnant. More loyal and gentle behavior with her. She is also following me around more now, similar to that of a lost kitten. She won't leave me alone.

[myrotti2002]

I carried around a baby doll,washed in the shampoo i bought for the baby, lol.. When Ceaser was around me I treated the doll as a real baby..putting it in the car seat the whole nine yards..eventually he got use to mom being busy tending the "baby" and when I got home with Madison it was buisness as usual..He sniffed at her a little cause this time it made noise but that was all. Madison is now 5mo old and we have had no problems whatsoever. Good luck & congratulations :)

[hildasmommy]

Congratulations on your baby!!! I think your dog will adjust fine. When we brought our kids home, we did similar things and all worked fine. In fact the dog was a better monitor than the one we had purchased!
By the way, I had no idea Working Dogs is a woman! Not that it matters any, but for some reason I thought you were a man. I guess it was a stereotyped thing or your answers! How funny. You just went up a notch in my respect ladder!

[Seven Hills]

Dear Zeus's Dad, Firstly Congrats on the new addition to you and your family. I have had some experience with new additions and Rotties. I have 3 children ages; 18, 16, and 13. I have had Rottweilers for 16 years, as many as 5 adults in the house at one time. When we brought my daughter home(the youngest) we put her in the crib and let Bear investigate, he knew she was there and went right over put his paws up and looked inside, we were right there with him, he kissed her hand and laid under the crib. You have to judge the situation and use common sense. You know your dogs behavior and you must look at all situations and evaluate them. I never had a problem with the children and the dogs. My dogs know there commands and listen well. Sometimes I wish my children did the same...LOL

[rottnreba]

Congrats! If you can, bring some receiving blankets that baby has been wrapped up in home from the hospital before baby comes home. (Although these days you are in and out so quickly after giving birth!) Allow your dogs to sniff the blankets to get used to the scent. I did this for my first child when my dogs were 2 and 1 yrs.old. I also came in the house first to greet them then I carried in the baby and let them sniff him. I let them snuggle up next to me while I nursed my son. I also made a point of taking them out to play while my husband took care of Nate. When the second and third sons arrived down the line, the dogs hardly seemed to notice.