Lancs Lad Posted August 31, 2007 Report Share Posted August 31, 2007 Jaz is now coming up for 7 months. We have bambino number 2 on the way, due in the xmas/new years week. We have had some real bad luck loosing 2 babies due to miscarridges early in they year and are all over the moon about this one. What are the dos and donts about dogs and "new babies". Ive just watched pannorama and wife is a bit concerened about dogs and kids. Jaz has a good temperament, is a good lad, he does have a bit of a nibble when we play but nothing that I would class as mallicious or indeed bad. He plays happily with my 7 year old and doesnt snap if she takes things away from him etc. If he ever "turned" then I wouldnt think twice about taking him out in the yard and giving him both barrels. Wife is a bit worried about dog and the new baby when she comes along. Did I just say she..............Ok............its a girl................and her name is going to be Trinity...............which means Threefold... quite apt we think............... Anyone help to give advice on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted August 31, 2007 Report Share Posted August 31, 2007 I had 2 dogs when my first boy came along but a few months later we rehomed one of them with my parents. The dogs were prone to fighting and I did not want the boy getting caught in the middle like I have in the past. I let the dogs get very close when we came home with the boys. They had a good sniff and realised there was no threat. We made sure we gave the dogs lots of attention and tried not to put their noses out of joint. Now my oldest is 3 and the youngest is 1. The dog spends all his time trying to keep out of their way. My 3 year old tried to pull the dog off the bed by his ears a few months ago and the dog snapped at him. It scared the **** out of him but he learned not to do it again. I think the biggest part it teaching the kids to respect the dog and to treat it properly. The dog is now very protective towards the kids. He bit my neighbour once when he came a bit to close to the pram and when we take them all for a walk he tries to bite joggers who run towards us. I think you just have to suck it and see. You know your dog best. Just have somewhere your dog can escape to when he wants some peace and quiet. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted September 1, 2007 Report Share Posted September 1, 2007 Do what you have to do - it's kids first, then pets - but working this out "after" a bite is not a luxury you can afford. Whilst there is merit to teaching children to respect pets, kids upto say 1.5 years old really don't have an f'in clue about anything. I have a 1 year old that can walk and climb and who has a grip of steel but he can't talk, he can't understand me or logic and he can't even make it off the settee without going head first. If they want to pull the dog and stick crayons in it's ear they will. The dog won't know anything else but to defend itself. It's not likely to ever be the dogs fault if something goes sour - your dog is a pet, a domesticated wild animal. It's all on your shoulders I am afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted September 1, 2007 Report Share Posted September 1, 2007 Our daughter (10 months old) loves the dog but he hates her. We didn't separate them them at the start but he has snapped at her a couple of times. He's a gentle dog and it was only a sharp head turn towards her with a growl but certainly a warning. He's 10 years old and we suspect might not appreciate the newcomer to the household. We heeded the warning and keep them separate day to day. I have seen an instance similar to ours, the old dog didn't like the new baby but they also bought a puppy not long after the baby was born and they are inseparable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FBF Posted September 1, 2007 Report Share Posted September 1, 2007 Our daughter (10 months old) loves the dog but he hates her. We didn't separate them them at the start but he has snapped at her a couple of times. He's a gentle dog and it was only a sharp head turn towards her with a growl but certainly a warning. He's 10 years old and we suspect might not appreciate the newcomer to the household. We heeded the warning and keep them separate day to day. I have seen an instance similar to ours, the old dog didn't like the new baby but they also bought a puppy not long after the baby was born and they are inseparable. give the dog the very first baby nappy you change when you get home. it will bond the dog to the baby as if it were its own. no jealousy issues that way either which is always the problem when adding someone new to the family that takes the attention away from the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted September 1, 2007 Report Share Posted September 1, 2007 Lancs lad, First off congradulations once again on the upcoming arrival of Trinity You have been given some good advice so far: always be sure that the dog has an escape and a quiet place away from the baby if he wants it. never leave them alone. children under 1.5/2 years of age do not know what they are doing....and they will pull ears, lips, and poke eyes. ................................................................................ ................................................................................ ............. I am sure that Jazz is going to be fine especially since he already has a little person at home now. So what can you do about the new baby coming home to make things easier on all concerned? What I did when all three of my littles were born, and there were atleast 3 full grown labs and or GSPointers in the house for each was; Starting a month before the baby is born have a crib set up in the sitting room where you and your wife spend most of your time. Also get yourself a life size baby doll, and if you have friends with a baby some recieving blankets or feeding blankets that the baby has used and not had washed yet. (If you talk to the hospital that you are to deliver at and explain what you are doing most will send you a couple of dirty blankets home with you as a pro active gesture). Both you and your wife are to carry the doll around like a real baby...if it can cry even better......you hold it while sitting and pretend to feed it, you carry it while walking from place to place, and you place it in the crib for naps. Be sure to drop blankets on the floor where Jaz can smell them, and let him check out the crib and bottles etc. Treat the doll just as if it were the real thing. This will acclimatize Jaz to the idea that there is to be a new little in the house soon. Once your wife delivers at the hospital, and while she stays in over night for a well earned rest, bring home some of the new littles blankets and have a session with the doll. Besure to leave these blankets on the floor where Jaz will be able to nuzzle and smell them. These blankets will be his first introduction to Trinity,and will have your wifes scent on them as well to reinsure him. When the two of them come home let Jazz say hello to both and you can all get on with the faimly picture of late nights, little sleep and dirty everthing Like I said when mine were born we went through this, and even the old dogs.....at least one around 12 for each child....just accepted it in stride. My kids were and are still always supervised around the dogs and are never left alone with them and they all get on great. It was funny to watch the dogs expression when the baby arrived home as it was similar to .......well there you are, about time .....I have been finding your blankets all around and the big people have been acting weired....... B) I am sure that everything is going to be fine, and that they will be great pals before long. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted September 1, 2007 Report Share Posted September 1, 2007 always be sure that the dog has an escape and a quiet place away from the baby if he wants it. This is a good point. If we let the little one approach the dog he would simple get up and move away, the first occasion he snapped at her was when he was sort of cornered. Our house is only small so we only have a lounge and kitchen downstairs. He has the kitchen which has the benefit of a door to the yard so he has lots of places to come and go. A baby gate keeps them out of physical reach of each other but they can still see one another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancs Lad Posted September 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Thanks all........ Now.............I just have to find a used placenta..................... Dan thanks for the detail..........My daughter has got 2 "baby abigails" - life type dolls that cry and make noises.......should be handy...She has even got a baby crib that we can use............ Will sort something with regards to the blankets............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted September 4, 2007 Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 Congratulations to Mrs LL and yourself I personally would never leave a dog with a young child unless within a nano second of being able to grab the dog. Saying that though bear in mind that there are 1000's of dogs in the uk that know their place in the family and are with young ones on a daily basis. It's like legal gun owners we are 99.9% safe but that .1% is all it takes Best be safe mate. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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