alright - i'm due in August and I just wanted some advice on how I can get the dog used to the new baby. I mean she is the most lovable dog and all but I can just see her running over and licking the baby to death. LOL Or just getting too excited and wanting to jump on him. Any advice would be GRAND! Thanks a bunch!
yes love I do know that... but she will not be around a baby until she meets our son. And btw- Raven was MY dog too ya know!
You always need to be careful with a baby around a dog. We have had as many as there dogs at a time. (Two of therm very predatory Malamutes.) The key is to keep the dog away from the baby when you are not there. Even a very well behaved dog could become frightened by the way a baby acts and bite or claw, not realizing the baby is helpless. IMO, dogs should enjoy being outside a good part of the time and also be crate trained. With these in place, there will always be a safe place for the baby. When we had young babies, we never let the dogs in their rooms, unless Bear or I were there. (Our dogs are also crated at night, so they wouldn't creep up there.) Most dogs, after a short period of time, want to protect the baby. I have worked with families, as and LC, where I had to ask them to put the dog out, because she would growl at me when I picked the baby up. NEVER leave a baby alone with a dog, even for a second, even if you totally trust the dog. The dog could become frightened and react differently than she usually does. Horrible things have happened to babies, in houses where the parents later say "We never saw Spot angry before." A well mannered dog, will be happy to be outdoors or crated when you need all your attention on the baby. ANd then, when you can, give the dog her attention. A lot of people think that giving the dog attention and a treat when you sit down to nurse, will make the dog LESS jealeous of the baby, and I agree. That way the dog isn't always looking for the baby to be out of the way before she gets what she needs. Dogs are predatory animals, and weird high pitched noises, jerky movements and odd smells are more likely to arouse the predatory urge. (And babies do all of these all the time.) Four kids, and we have had four dogs. We always keep a close eye on all dogs around smalll babies and children. ALWAYS be careful and protect your baby. If your baby sleeps in your room (a very good idea in the beginning if not always) the dog NEEDS to sleep somewhere else. If the dog DOES sleep in your room now, get her used to sleeping elsewhere. Dogs really do love crates, as they are "Den Animals" and even and older dog can get used to being crated at night. It is in the best interest of everybody. (Our Malamute LOVES his crate. He goes in by himself if he gets scared, or if the kids are too loud, or if people are arguing. He considers it 'his" den, and we love it that way.
what are you talkin bout i am a traveller going to seven winds soon going to summer solstice goin to nationals and were ever else along the way think think she will be around a broad rage of folks and children
what dont start with memy dog is on a leash andwith me at all timesi do know what im doing please dont play me like an idiot