Children or Babies and Dogs

[dogs4life]

I had great anxiety over how to prepare my dogs for the birth of my daughter and it was all for nothing! Nothing! My dogs were fine and the baby was fine. I'm enraged of the products and useless advice people gave me before my birth, so I feel we can alleviate some of that stress for other women by supporting them and help them find alternatives than locking the dog up or giving it away, like some suggested to me

So how about it? Is there a need for a new forum for expecting parents and households with small children?

[Punkygirl0101]

I know there are a LOT of people who give their dogs away when they find out they are expecting a baby. I see ad, after ad on Craigslist "Need to get rid of dog, I have a new baby". A lot of people think dogs and new babies won't work out. Of course, we all know real dog lovers would NEVER get rid of their dog just because they are pregnant, a dog is for life!

My dogs have NEVER been around babies, or young children (Except Harry, since I had him since I was 7 years old). I don't know what they would do to a newborn, but obviously it would be supervised. But I do believe dogs know that our babies are "Our puppies", and if they view you as the top dog, then there shouldn't be a problem, because in packs dogs respect the alpha's litters. SO I think most dogs would understand, and view a baby as our property, and to respect it.

I know my Bjorn (Toy Australian shepherd mix people tell me..Or poodle/cocker spaniel/whatever mix) hates kids. I take him for walks, to the dog park..he barks at children, he won't let them near him. Where we got him before he lived with little kids. He was chained (As an 8 week old puppy might I add you) in the front yard and all the children that lived there would poke him, pull his ears, throw things at him. I know why he doesn't like them! (He also hates when people touch his ears). But I think they could get used to a baby if it was mine. (Not anytime soon lol)

I don't think there should be a new forum though, I think this would go under "Behavior"

[CdnRottieMom]

A children and dogs forum would be a neat idea. I don't believe in keeping dogs locked away from babies or children. Only in the cases where the parent cannot possibly supervise their interaction. If you do that then they will never learn to get used to babies / children. Babies / children will never learn appropriate interaction and respect for family pets. I adopted my dog after I had my kids, mind you my kids are 9 and 13. I didn't do any major preparations, just went over a few new rules in the house for when the puppy comes to live with us (ie. dog is in crate, do not go over and bother her - though the little monkey actually welcomes them to come sit outside her crate and keep her company (lol). My having another baby days are over (well, hoping they are for me ... lol), but should I decide in the future to expand my family, my dog is definitely staying (lol). I think with some people, it's the lazy way out of not having to supervise their dog around their children. People should also realize that because your dog may not be child friendly, does not mean that it won't be child friendly around your own children. There are dogs that are ok with children living in the family household, but when it comes to other people's children, may not be so accepting and tolerant.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by Punkygirl0101

My dogs have NEVER been around babies, or young children (Except Harry, since I had him since I was 7 years old). I don't know what they would do to a newborn, but obviously it would be supervised. But I do believe dogs know that our babies are "Our puppies", and if they view you as the top dog, then there shouldn't be a problem, because in packs dogs respect the alpha's litters. SO I think most dogs would understand, and view a baby as our property, and to respect it.

I know my Bjorn (Toy Australian shepherd mix people tell me..Or poodle/cocker spaniel/whatever mix) hates kids. I take him for walks, to the dog park..he barks at children, he won't let them near him. Where we got him before he lived with little kids. He was chained (As an 8 week old puppy might I add you) in the front yard and all the children that lived there would poke him, pull his ears, throw things at him. I know why he doesn't like them! (He also hates when people touch his ears). But I think they could get used to a baby if it was mine. (Not anytime soon lol)

I don't think there should be a new forum though, I think this would go under "Behavior"

Well I was thinking Behavior too but I also know there are a lot of people here that are not parents and they don't appreciate kid related issues in the behavior forum.

[aquarian215]

we got Dudley 5 months ago, when my youngest was 13 months, and the first couple days were a little touch and go while Dudley got used to the idea of all of us, but now him and the baby are the best of friends, the baby loves him and he loves the baby. We still have some issues with my oldest (Dudley jumps up nips ankles, ect.), but never ever with the baby, if the baby cries he get a worried look on his face and bathes him with kisses (which annoys the baby, but is funny cause he usually forgets why he was crying) and he is protective barking at anyone new that holds the baby ( trying to train that away) The other night we were having supper and my hubby had let Dud out right before and I asked where he was and the baby looked to where he usually was at dinner time (right under the babies chair waiting for food to drop) and couldn't find him and I said "oh no, is Dudley all gone?" Cameron's eyes got all wide and his lip started to quiver, he was 5 seconds away from bursting into tears, thinking his dog was gone, and we had to let Dud in. Sorry for such a long post, but my point is it is stupid to give your dog up because you are having a baby, imo.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by aquarian215

Sorry for such a long post, but my point is it is stupid to give your dog up because you are having a baby, imo.

I agree, but many times you are hormonal and vulnerable at that time and you do let other people influence you.

So I was hoping to create a supportive forum where new parents could go to get "real" advice.