Bringing Home the Baby

[Chantal]

Hello! My husband & I are due April 17th with our first baby. I have read several books and articles about dogs and children. My first question is - when my husband brings home a blanket that the baby has been wrapped in,what's the best way to introduce it to the dogs? Just let them sniff it? Leave it out, lying on the couch? Also, I have read, that when we do bring the baby home, I should walk in first and great the dogs, then my husband should carry the baby in. Should we then lay the baby in the playpen and let them check her out through there, or just hold her? Just wanted to see what other members have done to make this big transition a smooth one. Thanks.

[Birdie'sMom]

Congratulations! I just had my first in January. When my husband brought the blanket home he held it and let Birdie sniff it. Then when we brought the baby home we let Birdie sniff her while she was in her infant seat. We were right next to it in case she got a little too rowdy. As long as your dog is trained in obedience, you shouldn't have a problem. Just make sure you NEVER leave the baby and the dog alone in the room together. No matter how much you trust the dog. These dogs are big and accidents can happen. Good luck! :)

[Rottnlove]

Originally Posted by Birdie'sMom

Congratulations! I just had my first in January. When my husband brought the blanket home he held it and let Birdie sniff it. Then when we brought the baby home we let Birdie sniff her while she was in her infant seat. We were right next to it in case she got a little too rowdy. As long as your dog is trained in obedience, you shouldn't have a problem. Just make sure you NEVER leave the baby and the dog alone in the room together. No matter how much you trust the dog. These dogs are big and accidents can happen. Good luck! :)

Yep, that's what we did when we had our baby last October. My dog has adjusted quite well.

Congratulations!!! :)

[Karinka200]

We did pretty much the same as the previous posts. The one thing I did was take our dogs for a walk right away...just myself and the dogs...(gave "daddy" and baby time to bond)...and let the dogs know...the routine would be the same.

Every day...I made sure I spent some time with the dogs by myself...away from the baby...and it worked out so well.

Good luck to you and congratulations on your "pending arrival!"

[Shaw_2112]

Congratulations!! My first is due in July. I've seen other posts about this and the best advice I've seen so far is training, training, training. It seems the general consensus is that if your dog has lots of OB training and have been taught good manners that they should be fine. Let us know how it goes, I'm certainly looking forward to my own coming. :p

[Chantal]

We have gone back to obedience school since it's been a while. We have also put out all the stuff that comes along with a baby so they are used to it. I have the stroller in the house, and when I push it around they follow me, it's so funny. I also got a crying baby doll. They were very interested in it at first, but now they could care less about it.