changing environments!

[babeblu]

My husband and I are fixing to have a baby. We have a 5 yr old male Rott that has been in the house ever since he was a pup. My husband is leary of having the dog in the house anymore and wants to put him outside. Any ideas and how to help him to adjust to this change? The whole back porch is his , but are we being cruel to him because he has always been inside?:(

[Judi W]

What's wrong with him that he would no longer be an acceptable house dog? It might be easier and certainly more fair to the dog to correct some manners problems than to take a 5 year old dog that has always been part of the family and lock him outside alone and away from those he has always lived with.

[Loki's Mom]

Congratulations on your soon to be new addition! But I really believe that your dog will adapt just fine with your new baby. My sister just brought home a brand new baby girl and her six year old cocker, who has never been around babies, has been just wonderful. She watches the baby, whines when the baby cries, wants to participate in all the baby's activities. Maybe you should wait and see how your dog reacts to the new addition before you just throw him out. He might just surprise you!

[brunie's mom]

Judi is right why would you not want your dog as part of the family???:(
What you should start doing is work on some obedience work, give the dog a place in the house that is his (usually their dog bed) so that he learns that he must stay there when told.

Also you can start with not allowing the dog on the funiture, beds etc now.. do not wait for the baby to be born. There are many books written about preparing your dog before the baby comes. Some things I remember is to buy a doll and pretend it is a baby, and to carry and treat it like a baby so the dog gets used to it.
Also to get recordings of babies crying and play them over and over again... baby crying may be troubling to some dogs.
Start taking your dog out to playgrounds, etc where children are about.. just let you dog listen and see and smell what kids are all about.
If you have a two story house do not let the dog go upstairs staring now... so the dog gets used to staying downstairs.

You may have to make some adjustments, but I see no reason why your dog that has been a part of your family for 5 years should be banished outside.

Gina

[kala]

Has your dog ever been around children? I would think there could be more problems as your child grows up if the dog was kept separated from all of you. But I don't have kids so I'm not sure about that. I have a good friend who just had her first baby and she has two rescue dogs, a Beagle mix and a Boxer. What they did was keep the dogs involved in all the activities before the baby was born, like when they set up the baby swing, bassinet, and all that. They let the dogs sniff around the new additions to the rooms and get comfortable with everything. Before the baby was born they got a baby doll and carried it around to help teach the dogs a different set of manners when mom and dad had the "baby" in their arms. Now that their daughter is here they just watch the dogs closely and of course never leave the baby down where the dogs can hurt her, but their dogs have taken to the baby as part of the family. They do keep the dogs out of the nursery but that was established as a no dog room before the baby came home. If it were me I would want the dog to be around the baby to avert any problems once the baby grows and starts moving around the house and yard. Just remember to never leave a dog and kid alone for any amount of time. Kids and dogs can become the best of friends and if your dog learns the baby is part of his family no one will be able to come around him/her without your permission.
congratulations on the baby
sue

[JD102175]

First of all, Congratulations to you and your husband!!Bringing a baby into the family is a big event. I think Brunie's mom had some great suggestions about perparing your dog for the new arrival beforehand. One thing that I have always heard is to make sure that you still give the dog the same, if not a little more, attention as you did before the baby arrived. Dogs do get jealous. It is also important that the dog be included when you are doing things with the baby so that the dog associates the baby as being a good thing. Example, If you are playing with the baby, don't forget to play with the dog too. If you're feeding the baby but it's not time for the dog to eat, have a treat or two to give the dog.


Jaime

[SABELLESMOM]

I'm not quite sure why you would think the dog needs to move outside. Our dogs love children! Particularly the rotties both adored the little ones and the smaller, the better.

Sable and Jasmine become quite concerned at the sound of a baby crying. Both respond exactly the same way by making sure you haven't gone suddenly deaf and KNOW the infant is crying. They both give a quick visual check, cock their heads to one side, and trot quickly to an adult for assistance. They have the most "urgent" expressions imaginable! When both dogs were present one would sit about three feet away from the baby and "keep watch" while the other fetched help.

Jasmine has since gone back to her owners...we doggie sat for 1.5 years. But Sable and Digbee are ours and fortunately won't be leaving us.:)

[Sheenagirl]

Congratulations on your pending newest family member.

Sheena (now 6 1/2) had never been around any young children/nor babies. My daughter had her first child and my first granddaughter when Sheena was 5 YO. I was very watchful at Sheena's reaction to the baby - Sheena was actually more afraid of the baby especially when Taylor was crying. I never allowed Taylor on the floor either. Before my daughter brought Taylor over for the first time we took a baby blanket (for the new scent) and let Sheena smell it and get used to the new baby scent. Taylor is almost 19 months old - so far so good. Again, I keep a very eagle eye out for any problems. Taylor likes to chase and hug on Sheena - I can tell Sheena tolerates it but doesn't particularly like it - so I am always running interference!

My daughter has a Rottie girl that is 10 1/2 YO and has been raised at a college dorm but not around babies. Cheyenne is way tolerant of Taylor - the best Rottie - so gentle!

So, I think you might be surprised at how your Rottie will adapt to your newest family member. Keep us posted... ;)