Introducing our new baby to our rottie

[sharman 2004]

Hello all,
We are expecting a baby in February! I know this is a bit early but I'm already thinking about when we bring the baby home to what will then be our 15 month old girl, Sasha. What are some tips on bringing home baby with a dog? This is my first, my husband's third. Since we already have 2 kids here half the time, she used to kids, but not babies.
Any tips would be appreciated :)

[sweetlee]

my daughter is also having a baby in December. I told her to get out the stroller and push it around the dog. Wind up the baby swing and put some weight in it. I also told her to wash some of the baby clothes she has in whatever detergent she will use for the baby, if different from theirs.
They said the dog did not like the stroller at first, so they took him walking with it and now he's fine. Same with the swing, he was scared of it and the motion, but now he is fine. She also is wrapping some stuffed animals in receiving blankets and laying them on the couch next to her, and carrying them around a bit with her. You never know how the dog will react when the baby comes home, probably fine, but getting used to the little things that will be different may make it easier rather than having it all thrown at her at once.
I am sure others will come along soon with more advice, but I think some of these things will help get the dog ready.
Congratulations!!!

Sharon

[cjsteinhaus]

Congratulations. My wife and I brought home our first child in late March - at the time, Oliver was almost 1 year. A couple of tips we heard from others that we used: (1) if you can get a blanket or item of clothing home to the dog a day or two before you go home, it will recognize the smell of the baby before baby arrives; (2) arrange to have the dog home before you arrive with the baby, so that he or she feels the baby is being brought to him instead of the other way around; (3) have your husband carry the baby in and you greet the dog or vice-versa; and (4) immediately introduce the baby to the dog to let him smell the baby (I would keep my hand over his mouth or muzzle him just in case), and be very encouraging towards the dog for the first few weeks so that he understands the baby is part of the family. It's hard for the first month or so because the #1 attention getter is no longer that way - Oliver would lay around the house and whine so make sure and give the dog extra attention whenever you can because it is a big adjustment for them, but one that they will get used to.

[Sheenagirl]

Congratulations to you!
Sheena had never been around a newborn either until she was about five.
Then my granddaughter was born. My daughter brought Taylor over and Sheena sniffed the new baby and really didn't pay much attention.
When the baby cried Sheena wouldn't get anywhere near her.
I always kept the baby at least couch level and never left Sheena and the baby unattended in a room except when Taylor was in the playpen.
Other than Sheena wanting to claim one of Taylor's toys, once in a while, for her own we never had a problem with Sheena accepting a newborn.
I would definately take something home that has the baby's scent on it before actually bringing the baby home.

[Alura]

Congratulations on the baby and thanks for thinking about this ahead of time. I don't have kids myself but recently saw an article in the paper about a local dog training place that ioffers a class for dog/expecting parents. The woman who started ithe class does rescue and was sick of so many dogs coming to her because dog wasn't welcoming to baby. Look arouhd your area, they may have a similar class.

A couple of hints stuck from the article, some which have already been mentioned. 1) Start getting the dog used to new things around the house that are baby's and NOT his/hers (stroller, swing, toys) 2) "fake baby" runs...my words not theirs!...carry a baby doll, and pay more attention to it . Work with your dog so it learns baby gets priority for your attention, 3) take home a baby item from the hosp before baby arrives home.