I need serious answers. Leave your hearts out answer with your minds.

[DoggGuy]

My Girlfriend and I are about to have a child. I LOVE my dog, but I am kind of nervous about this huge canine and my small and fragile baby. I need advice tips and want to know will this work out okay? I want to believe it will, but I have seen some postings that say dogs not raised with children have trouble coping, and might harbor animosity or jealousy for the baby and the attention it will recieve. I have already talked with my family and my extended family and we are prepared to move Daz to my parents house if that is what is suggested but I want to keep him, what do you guys think.

[rottmommie]

Darn it what is the name of that book....childproofing your dog???
I understand it can be purchased through half.com......rather inexpensively. I will not speak with my heart, but my head. Dogs can be trained. Kids can be trained. Adults have to have the dedication and the know how to train both.
I suggest the book. I am actually ordering it as I will be a granny soon, and after reading it myself will pass it to my daughter and son in law.

[Carina43]

How is he with children now? Of the five Rottweilers I've owned, only one (an adult male rescue) is not truly trustworthy around children. None of my dogs were raised with kids, all have been socialised with them as much as possible. My last two Rotties, and certainly Cooper, I would trust absolutely (supervised etc, of course) with a baby in the house.

Some Rotties seem genuinely attuned and gentle with children...in the end it's your call! I know there are books on how to handle a new baby with an established dog, maybe someone will have a title.

Congratulations, when is Baby due?

[Birdie'sMom]

Congratulations!!! Hopefully in a year or 2 I will be in the same boat! My mother and mother-in-law have tried to scare me about this, but I have done a lot of research on it and I believe that with the right training and socializing it can be done successfully. Do a search on this forum - there's lots of good advice on this subject. There are also a lot of other websites that will give advice on this. Good luck - don't give up on Daz - he can do it!:)

[mmgy]

If you're committed to making it work, that's about 90% of the battle.

Birdie'sMom---your mom and MIL need to read some Carl books!

M2

[Judi W]

I had an adult intact male Rottweiler when my first child was born, still there with the second child and never a qualm. Multiple Rottweilers as they grew to adulthood (dogs and children). They were all exceptionally good with my own and all children. The ones I have now, although not raised with children also believe there is nothing better than a youngster. Neighborhood boys knock on the door and want to visit with a dog, don't care which one, they adore them all. Of course, they particularly love boys, but are kind and gentle with girls as well. If you raised a nice dog as a dog there are rarely any problems. The only time I've ever heard of jealousy and difficulties was when the people mistook their dog for a child and raised it in a permissive fashion to be a spoiled and unloveable brat. If you give an honest appraisal and see whether your dog is generally well thought of, that will let you know whether you need to do some homework or not.

I found that the Rottweilers were very good with children as they were never worried about anything or became defensive in any way. And yes, every Rottweiler that has ever lived in my house was trained to a high level with advanced obedience degrees, but they certainly didn't come that way - that takes place over time.

[JD102175]

Here is the link to another thread with the same topic. New babies and dogs. Read it over, there are some good ideas about getting your dog ready for a new baby.


http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...highlight=baby


Jaime

[Birdie'sMom]

Originally posted by mmgy

Birdie'sMom---your mom and MIL need to read some Carl books!

LOL!:D Hmmm- Christmas presents??? I think so!:)

[Carolina]

I found this in a website, hope it helps:
When the Baby comes

---------------------------------------
WHEN THE BABY COMES by Andy Bunn

All expecting parents should consider 'prenatal' training for their lovable canines. Start planning early for the baby's arrival. It is important to set rules and boundaries for your canine and stick with them. Consider these training concepts while you build the nest!
*
Obedience Training
Obedience training speaks for itself. Practice on leash obedience training a minimum of three times a week. Reestablish your canine's boundaries inside the house. Teach the 'leave it' command, and work on the long down/stay. Verbal control of your dog will be a must with a little toddler crawling around the house.
*
Socialization
Start socializing your dog around children and babies as soon as possible. Let your canine observe children at play first, gradually moving to treat training by the children. It is important to keep your canine's stress level down during these interactions. If you notice any anxiety or aggressive behavior move away from the distraction immediately! Your dog's tolerance level of children will increase with time and food treats!
*
Prenatal activities
Do not isolate your canine from your own preparation for the new baby. Allow your dog in the baby's room to get familiar with the new smells and sounds. Observe your canine as he sniffs baby's blanket, toys, clothes, etc. Expecting mothers can comfort a baby-sized doll a few minutes each day, to help desensitize their dog.
*
Who's watching the dog?
Arrange feeding and walking for your canine while you are at the hospital. Keeping the same routine for your dog while you are away will help with the new arrival.
*
When the baby arrives.
Daddy should present an item with the baby's smell on it to the dog for inspection before mother and baby come home from the hospital. This will help your canine recognize and accept the new family member.
*
New Toys for Pooch.
Arriving home with a new baby and new squeaky toys for the dog will work wonders for the anxious canine. Make the new arrival of baby a positive one for your canine superstar!
*
When you get home.
It is a good idea for dad to hold the child, and let mom greet her love starved canine like she always has. Behavior directed to the dog should not change when baby comes home. With mom and baby sitting in a chair, let the dog observe and smell around baby. I do not recommend letting your canine lick the baby or any 'touch' sniffing. Never leave infant and dog unattended.
*
Include dog in family activities.
Baby and dog interaction should be as natural as possible. Teach your canine to walk beside the stroller, what a great way to bond! Isolating your canine from family activities could initiate bad behavior.
*
The arrival of a new baby is an exciting time for every one, particularly to your dog. Adjustment time towards the new baby can be greatly reduced with proper training and planning. Train for control, practicing several times a week. Keep your dog's daily routine the same, after the baby comes. Remember to include your canine in numerous baby activities. Make interaction a positive experience for your dog and acceptance of the child will happen naturally!

[RottieGirl86]

It's all in training the dog. It's not a heart or head thing, it's a commitment to training your dog. It's quatified by time & hwo you will spend it. The dog has no choice.

Also remeber - never leave a baby alone with dog (any breed, we had a terrier that stole my Sister's bottle, lol)- just as a precaution.

Anyway, my Brother got Sasha right when his ex-wife gave birth to my neice. Literally, he say on the kitchen floor for hours holding the bay and petting the dog. That dog was awesome, but only due to the time he spent training and bonding with the dog.

My neice loved that dog, we were all sad to see her die due to heart failure.

*side-note: if you held my neice and told her to scream, Sasha would literally get between you to protect my neice :) Rotts are awesome at protecting kids.

[spidey]

never leave a baby alone with dog

So true. I'd amend it to say "never leave any child alone with any dog", it's just not worth the risk. There is no reason your dog shouldn't get along just fine with the new baby, just be sensible and fair (don't neglect the dog and then wonder why it stops being housetrained, for example, and don't exclude the dog and then wonder why it hasn't bonded with the baby). There's some good advice here. Good luck and congratulations.

[AWmommy]

I have a 18 month old and a 4 year old female rottweiler. As everyone else has said, if you are committed to making it work it can! My son and rottweiler get along just fine, but it's something we work on every day. Our rottweiler, Daytona has a liking for baby toys which is something we are currently working on! My advice is training every day.

[AWmommy]

I forgot to add, congratulations on the baby!

[LavenderRott]

Congrats on your upcoming addition!

I rescued my Chase from animal control shortly after I found out that I was pregnant with my son. I got rid of my cocker spaniel just before my son was born as he was not child safe (sometimes not adult safe!).

Chase has never even looked at my son cross-wise. He has used her for a stepping stool and a chair without so much as a raised eyebrow. The two of them are very close.

If you have trained your dog, then keep it up. Make sure that time while the baby is sleeping is spent with the dog. And don't leave the baby unattended with the dog.

It can be done, don't dispair!

[Judi W]

Well doggGuy, it's time for you to answer questions rather than ask. You don't need to answer them to us, but to yourself. Truthfully, I have found that if an owner who knows a dog better than anyone has concerns about the dog's safety, they probably have good reason for it. You say you are nervous as if laying the groundwork for not keeping the dog now that a baby is coming (are you the nervous one or is it your girlfriend?). Don't put it on the fact that the dog is a Rottweiler, but simply on how you have raised it and what your confidence level is. If you haven't done the training you should, shame on you. If you have and are evaluating the dog's character based upon your experience with it, then contact your breeder. Not all dogs are going to be kid dogs, but my experience with Rottweilers is that unless the dog has a screw loose or has been neglected in its education, they make excellent family dogs.

I believe you mentioned that you were getting a companion for your Rottweiler. Did you do so? Is that dog OK, and the Rottweiler not? If so, why is that do you think? Have you perhaps used the new dog to entertain the Rottweiler rather than yourself spending the time working with the dog or is everyone simply more fond of the new dog? All questions for you to answer to yourself.

I am always distressed when a single man has a best friend dog and then when girlfriend/wife and baby comes into the picture all of a sudden dog is no longer best friend and there are reasons found that make keeping it a decision to be made. Please consider if that is the case and why.


Again, these are questions for you to answer to yourself and not intended to start an contensious public discussion. I do quite a bit of counseling and have visited this scenario many times.