Getting pets ready for new baby

[Anonymous]

My husband and I live in a small 2 bedroom SFH with a big back yard. It's been perfect for us and our 2 German Shepherds. Our older dog is 9 1/2 years old and sleeps in our bedroom on the floor. Our younger dog sleeps gated in the kitchen. It's worked well for the past 2 year and now we are expecting our first baby this year.

We have been reading several books on how to get the dogs ready for this big change. We are getting a mixed bag of answers on where the dogs should sleep. One book ademently states to not allow the dogs to sleep in our bedroom (the first 6 weeks, we will have the baby sleep with us, but then he/she will sleep in his/her crib -- unless that's the plan).

Does anyone have any good tips or advice based on their experience?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

We didn't change anything. We also have two dogs. They were about 2 and 5 when my first was born. The day before I came home from the hospital, DH brought home a blanket that had been used to swaddle the baby for them to sniff. Other than that...we tried to keep things as normal as possible for them. They both continued to sleep in our room, and were not restricted any more than usual during the day. We obviously never left them alone in a room with the baby (unless he was in his crib), but other than that, I didn't see a need to make it any more stressful for them than it already was.

That said-- we didn't keep the baby in our room; he was in a cradle in a nursery (right across the hall) from day 1. However, even if I put the cradle in our room, I just wouldn't have kept it right next to the bed (wouldn't want to risk the dogs accidentally jumping in the cradle when jumping off of our bed), and I DEFINITELY wouldn't have had the baby in bed with us, if there was a chance the dogs would be on the bed. I know yours sleeps on the floor...but unless he is physicially incapable of jumping up on the bed, I wouldn't take that chance.

[cmkeough]

Personally I wouldn't change where the dogs slept. There will be PLENTY of change when the baby comes home. We have 3 dogs and 3 cats and have made a few changes, but not many as this is their home too. (Shhhh, don't let my MIL know...she wants us to lock everyone in the basement.) As for not allowing the dogs to sleep in the bedroom I would only think that could be an issue if you have problems with your dog and dominance issues as to who is Alpha in your home. If it's been established that he/she isn't the Alpha I wouldn't worry about it at all.

I like what the PP did about letting their dogs smell the blanket that the baby was swaddled in to get the scent of the baby. I think that's an excellent idea.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

We have a dog and didn't change anything either. Partially because he is an older dog and a creature of habit so routine and normalcy were key for him and for all of us.

I left out diapers on the coffee table for about week before the baby was due just so the "newness" of something that has never been in the house before wasn't so novel. I also left out big things that took up "his" space in the living room such as the car seat, the diaper bag, and the bouncey seat. Just so doggie wouldn't be so initmidated by it. Hubby also brought home the swaddling blanket (I think one of the PP mentioned that).

No problems with transition. We just have to be sure to stick to the normal schedule (feeding, walks 3x a day, play time, snack time, etc.) which was tough on US because we were so exhausted from nursing (well, I was hubby was just tired), getting adjusted, etc.

8 months later...doing awesome and our beloved dog immediately embraced DD as part of his "pack".

[Anonymous]

Agreed, we tried to keep things as normal as possible. We didn't change their eating times or where they slept (but DD slept great in her crib). When we did things outside with baby (walks, etc.) we included the dogs.

Though the amount of time we spent with the dogs (and cats) understandably diminished (esp. at first) we made sure to have some snuggle time with the pets while napping and after baby went to bed.

Our group was very patient and responded pretty well. At almost 8 mos. later, they all LOVE each other and it is very cute to watch their interactions.

[Anonymous]

Question for cmkeough about the cats and the baby: What did you do to keep the cats out of the bassinet/crib or did you not do anything? Our cats are loving and curious and will want to be near the baby when he/she comes; neither my husband nor I have any doubt that they will be anything but fine with the baby based on their personalities and how they are around other people's kids. Because they are used to the run of the house, including the room that will be the baby's room and will scratch and whine if we close the door (and will therefore wake us and the baby up), we can't really plan on closing the baby's door. We are hoping that if we don't restrict their freedom or alter their routines, they will adjust to the baby without any problem. They generally sleep with us and we're hoping that just continues after the baby comes. Any thoughts or things that worked well for you?

[Anonymous]

The best thing we did was to make sure that our two dogs knew the baby was an alpha leader - ie it was higher in the pack than them. It helped that I, (mom) am the alpha leader in our house & so when the baby came home with me, I held her and sat with her and let the dogs come over to sniff. At all times, I was the one who was in control. I think that meant that from the beginning, they knew that the baby was higher up in the pack than them.

We later had a dog trainer come visit (for other issues) and she commented about a little thing - that we always push the stroller out the front door first, then dogs go second. This has reinforced our daughters standing in the pack.

Our dogs have been great but I had all those worries as well. Now our daughter is 19 mths, she loves her puppies and they love her (especially as she feed them leftovers all the time!).

I guess the main thing to remember is that dogs are pack animals and need to feel secure in their place in the pack. They need you to show them where they fit in and if you make sure they are below the baby, then you should be ok.

Good luck!

[cmkeough]

To the 17:40 poster; actually I'm due in 3 wks. One of our cats had been going into the babys room and sleeping in the crib!!!! I was not too pleased with this thought. He has also found that sleeping on the changing pad is lots of fun too and quite comfy. Since he's a fat cat and can't jump over baby gates we recently purchased a baby gate that has the step release (incase one of us needs to get into the room with baby in hand) and this has solved the problem with the fat cat. Now, we knew of course that one of our cats can jump a standard baby gate but fortunately so far he isn't interested in going into the crib. Crossing my fingers that he'll just use the room as his sanctuary from the fat bully cat.

Good luck! Oh yeah, we also bought some of the Feliway that we'll plug in right before the baby gets home to help calm/soothe the kitties. You know how tempermental some cats can be. Crossing our fingers. ;o)

[Anonymous]

The cats will prob. stay with their routine and sleep with you. At least, mine did.

We let kitties go into baby's room while we were there. Not at night or naps. Door was closed. I found one snoozing in the crib (baby wasn't in there) once only. I do routinely find them napping on her changing pad. Too funny.

[Anonymous]

OP-- are they dogs male or female? This is totally anecdotal, but I have found female dogs to be almost "mothering" of sorts to a baby. My female mutt was just fine -- a little nervous when the baby cried for the first couple of days, but she quickly got over it and the baby and dog are great friends!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the great advice! I am definitely feeling a lot less nervous about the pets. One person had a question about whether our dogs were male or female -- older one is male, younger one is female. We will have to work on our pack hierarchy -- right now I'm the alpha, then the male dog, then my husband, then the female. Thanks again -- I really appreciate the words of wisdom from all of you whom have been through this already!