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My wife is 6 months pregnant. My dog is very protective of us. How will he react with an new baby in the house? Anybody experience this.
Thanks. |
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There's no way of telling, but you will be the deciding factor on how he behaves.
There are books on the subject.....well at least chapters in books. You might want to browse the books stores looking for books that will help you.
Two problems I see:
The dog not realizing the noisy smelly thing is now part of the family.
The dog accidently knocking over the toddler.
The first one is your responsibility to train the dog. The second, happens. Excluding the dog from your family life will create problems as the dog will feel he's been kicked out of the family pack.
I hope others who have had more experience will write in here. |
This is my standard response to the questions of dogs and kids/babies. We must never forget that dogs are animals and should never be left alone with small babies or children. What they may consider protective normal animal behavior could be deadly for an infant or small child.
How the dog will react depends a great deal on what his general personality is. If he is overly protective of you or your wife he may view the baby as a threat. If he is generally calm and laid back he may take it all in stride.
The animal child bond is a wonderful thing but we need to be vigalant that both are kept safe from unintentional harm.
Best wishes. |
| Try treating your dog like he's an older child who may be jealous of a new sibling. Include him when you can and make sure he knows what he can and can't do around the baby. Keep firm with his limits. We got our female when my son was still an infant, not quite the same situation, but she grew up with him. First she slept on the bottom shelf of his changing table, until she got too big, then under his crib. He is still "her" boy, and often she will sleep just outside his door at night. |
Take a receiving blanket home from the hospital with your baby's smell on it home to the dog before you bring your baby home.
This way your dog can get used to the baby before she/he comes home.
Let the dog sleep with it or do what he/she pleases.
In most cases the dog will be just as protective of your child as they are to you. Make sure you show your dog lots of extra attention when you first bring the baby home so jealousy does not become an issue.
Always supervise the dog & child...especially a baby.
Good Luck!
Elissa |
