Hi there,

Anyone got any good tips on getting my dog ready for our new arrival in August. He has been around my young nephews, but constantly tries to lick their faces. We have bought a doll and are teaching him to 'leave it' and then treating him - but will this be enough? Don't worry - I would never ever leave him in a room with the baby unattended - but want to be able to have them in the room together without too much stress.

He has had behavioural problems in the past and some are better, but he is still an attention seeker and I am sure that as our time and affection will be shared with the baby and we can expect more problems, if we don't try and prepare now!

I'm sure most of you must have been through this - so please pass on you advice.

Thanks Sally

Sally,

When I had my Daughter in Nov 1998 my Border collie was 16 months old and not used to babies even so he was used to toddlers 2+.

I was only in Hospital for the birth and then came out a few hours later.
Other half and I collected our dog from Parents and showed him the new baby and to this day I have had no probs.

I was not one to shut my dog out or keep him away from my daughter he sniffed her licked her hands face and took to sleeping under her crib.
Even now when I put Daughter to bed the dog comes up as well to see that she is in bed ok.
One thing I do say is when people come to see new baby and go all goo goo ask them to fuss the dog first and not push dog away it worked for me.

Karen

YEP KAREN EXACTLY HOW IT IS DONE MARI

Congratulation on your baby Sally :-) I wouldn't worry to much about it. I had several dogs when my daughter was born and they just all accepted her as if she had been there all along. My GSD bitch took it upon herself to 'babysit' and she was better than any baby alarm :D If the baby squeaked, she would come and 'tell' us. The only thing I did do was make sure that I spent time alone with the dogs and to be honest, that helped me to get five minutes away from the baby which on occassions kept me sane :rolleyes:

We had two rotties and a mongrel when my son was born, my health visitor advised me to show the baby to the dogs as soon as we got home, we plonked him down on the carpet in his car seat, the dogs had a good sniff and walked away, even now at 6 years old he still falls asleep on the sofa curled up with one or the other and they will never move until he wakes up. Good luck !

Lorraine

My advice is that if you are going to change any rules because of the baby (ie cannot go in nursery) change them now. That way the dog does not associate the new restrictions with the new baby. Sounds like you are already doing some of that, but just ensure that you change as much as possible as early as possible.

Wendy

Hi Sally

I had my son last year as well as having 13 dogs at home, 12 peke's and a chow. I introduced the dogs 1 by 1 to the baby when I brought him home and have never had any problems...they sniff him but then walk away. I have also never kept the dogs away from him or shut them out of their normal routine (having the run of the house)

Donna