Hey guys, just wondering if anyone else brought a new baby home to dogs. We are in an apartment (2 bedroom) but we also have 2 dogs that are around 50 lbs. They aren't tall - one is very, very slender (and under 50 lbs). The other is a bit tubby.<br><br>I am wondering what to do. We are acquainting them now to a baby noise mp3, having them smell the baby gear we're stockpiling, and have baby wipes that we let them sniff. In return, when doggies bark, the baby (now 26 weeks) is becoming familiar with the sound.<br><br>My wife does not want to give up our dogs. I don't want to either, but I am concerned that even our well behaved, well mannered dogs are going to be a bit much for us and the new baby.<br><br>If we decide to not keep them, what do we do with them? My wife doesn't even like the idea of letting the dogs stay with a family member for a while.<br><br>I am paranoid that we aren't going to be able to handle the dogs and the baby, and even more paranoid that (God forbid) anything happen to the baby as a result of the dogs' actions. I am trying to be realistic about this. I don't want to fool myself into thinking that everything will be okay -- I am not 100% sure that it will be because how can you be? Even with never letting your eyes off the baby...<br><br>I do know my dogs (both 4 years old). I love my dogs terribly!!! I am a dog freak. They have been the best part of our lives yet. But the baby is on his way and I am super torn between what I feel (which I can usually trust my gut) and how my wife feels.<br><br>I would love any suggestions, thoughts, comments, etc.<br><br>Thanks, Dads!

That's a tough one. We struggled too waiting for our first born as we have a 60 pound collie/sheppard mix that was 9 years old at the time the baby was due and he was pretty set in his ways.<br><br>It sounds like you're doing everything right so far. We did everything you mentioned above. We went one step further and taught our dog, we'd put a bouncy seat in the middle of a baby blanket, without the baby in it, and over time taught him that the area of the blanket was off limits. He could lie near it, but not step onto it. He caught on pretty quickly. You're right that you can never be 100% sure of anything, but that's life. Only you and your wife really know your dogs and how you can anticipate they'll adjust. It's certainly going to be an adjustment for all of you.<br><br>We were lucky. Our dog was great. He wanted to get some sniffs in during the first few days, but once that was satisfied, he was largely uninterested. He didn't really get interested in the child again until the baby started eating and throwing solid foods from up in the high chair.. At that point, the child is a food dispenser and he became a whole lot cooler in my dogs eyes. I'm here to say that it can work.<br><br>Good luck.

Saw on the news just recently that long time family pet, a chow, killed a 2 month old. 'Tis downright terrifying to even think of such a tragedy... Our son came home to a 12 year old Scottish Terrier, and after a few what's this thing sniffs, he was bored and indifferent. BUT, that's an OLD dog too(and he has passed away since). So yes, you are right to be concerned, it's just really going to depend on the dog. Seems like a some pretty big dogs, for a baby, but not unruly. I LOVE the idea of teaching the dog about the baby blanket area... Well done, Krellpw.<br><br>I think you can probably try what he did with training. And see how it goes when the baby comes home. BUT be prepared before that for immediate other lodging shall we say. Even the slightest bit of uncertainty, or aggression from the dogs, and they get da boot. The babies safety is paramount, sorry wife.<br><br>We will not get another dog until Indy is much older, and even then, it'll be another lil' one. Probably a Scotty again... their big ole heads are just too freakin' cute.<br><br>Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Chow is a seriously unstable breed.

You are doing all the right things pre birth. After the baby is born, bring some of the blankets the baby is swaddled in home from the hospital and let them get used to the new smell. Also make sure you keep some one on one dog time in your schedule after the new one comes. Dogs can get jealous. We brought both of our kids home to live with Percy, a 185 lbs mastiff mix but he was 9 and 12 when the kids were born, so pretty old and docile. Even then we were super diligent about never leaving Percy and the kids alone for even a split second, because in the end a dogs a dog!<br><br>We have # 3 on the way in July and we just got a beagle puppy for Christmas. I am more concerned about him than old Percy, because Camp is puppy crazy and could injure an infant by just playing. We are planning on keeping him but being very careful.

My wife and I have 4 dogs. The largest being a black Lab. They are all well socialized and so we were more worried about them not realizing our son to be there and knocking into his crib/jumper accidentally. Since all the dogs save the lab are small breeds, the one we really paid attention to is the Lab and none of them bite. But the dog surprised us as far as family dogs go. Now he is very aware of our son. When we go into the nursary, he follows and sits quietly on the rug by the crib. When our son sits up on the floor rug to play with his toys, the Lab sits down and falls asleep right next to him and he's gentel anytime he's around my son. Regardless, never let your animal alone with a small child unsupervised nomatter how much you think you trust your dog. Kids have a way of unintentionally abusing dogs that can involk a hazardous defensive reaction.

We have a dog and 2 cats. The dog is a border collie/lab mix and is now about 5 years old.<br>When we brought our son home she was mostly indifferent, more becouse she is happy to see ar meet anyone.<br><br>We had some problems with her and food aggression. She took a round out of one of our cats for getting too close to her dish while eating.<br><br>A friend of ours is a dog trainer and she told us to feed the dog by hand, (easier with dry food). We did this for a couple of weeks and she stopped bolting her food whenwe got near her dish.<br><br>We knew that our son would get near her, as soon as she stopped moving long enough to eat, so when he started to crawl we had him hand feed her for awhile and it worked out. Now our only concern is that our son is nearly 3 and he chases the dog constantly. He also tries to tackle her. So now we are training him not to be so rough with her.<br><br>Not leaving the dog alone with the kids is still a very good idea