https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 15 May 2026 15:21:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-938854 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:34:56 +0000 heffalump 938854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: Oh my goodness I'm so sorry! It was also pretty sudden for us, but we had a little more time to process before our Teddy left us. He was 8 years old and just went to his yearly a few months before and he was healthy as could be. Then all of a sudden he lost all of his pep, and after tons of tests was diagnosed with cancer. It wasn't treatable and the doctor said he could last anywhere from a day to 6 months. Within a few weeks he was gone :( </p> <p>I agree, after something like that happens it's hard to not worry about things. DH tried to tell me to try not to get too attached to our new pup because we never know how long she'll be with us. But I was attached from the second I saw her and I'm going to just appreciate her and love her every day. My poor dog was found as a stray, taken to a kill shelter, taken to a rescue shelter, gone to a foster, and then back to the rescue before we got her. I want her to know that this is her home, that she's safe, and that we love her and are her family, and we're not going to leave her. </p> <p>Sounds like you're an awesome mommy to your pup and will make an extra effort so Coop doesn't feel left out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937958 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:51:04 +0000 Lindsay05 937958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww we have a beagle. Luckily she is very independent and likes her own stuff. However, when we brought baby home we made her feel very included. Encouraged her to be close by and took her on lots of walks. It still doesnt make it any easier and it may be a little hard at first but im sure your pup will come around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937935 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:45:35 +0000 ShootingStar 937935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: Yes, that's Maddy exactly :). Although we're bad parents and definitely do less play time than you!</p> <p> I can't really fault her for think toys are hers, the only exposure she's had to toys of any kind are ones that are hers. Now that she's an adult dog she's pretty good about not destroying stuff that's not a toy (like couch pillows, blankets, dog beds, etc.) </p> <p>But the other day she was hanging out on the bed with me I dumped laundry out on it to sort, and a dryer ball rolled out of it. She came over and grabbed it and started playing with it, lol. I took away and set it a few feet from her. She stared at it but didn't try to take it back. And again, I feel like I can't blame her for thinking everything that's shaped like a ball and plastic is a dog toy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937885 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:33:25 +0000 ladybee 937885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Your Maddy sounds like our Cooper. All he wants is to be near us. He wants to play for maybe 30 minutes a day 2x a day when DH is home and when I'm home I'm for cuddling. He watches TV with us at night and lays in bed with us before bed. When we go to fall asleep he knows to go to his bed and then he will join us in the morning. Like you, I don't see any reason for that to change. We just got his car seat so my very excited mom put his blanket and stroller toys on it. At least 3 times yesterday I noticed the blanket had been taken out and a large beagle/basset had gotten into the car seat to sniff and try and take the stroller toys. I guess if the toys are my biggest concern it can't be that bad, right? That's a great idea to get some cheap ones to try and train him with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937866 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:31:12 +0000 Cherrybee 937866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have put a few additional rules in place during my pregnancy - such as no doggies on the furniture - to smooth the transition. I didn't want them to associate new rules (that they might not like at first) with the presence of the baby and thus resent her. When she's here, we will make the effort to introduce them properly and make sure our dogs still get the attention they deserve. </p> <p>You mention a point that was a major concern to me. How will the dogs know what's theirs and what belongs to the baby? Gavin, my little boy-dog, is a terrible hoarder - if he finds a sock or a glove etc lying about he WILL run off with it and put it in his bed! We find all sorts in there! He also lurves his toys and got so excited when we brought baby toys home, thinking they were for him. We have come to the conclusion that we wont be able to teach him this!! We can teach him to respect the baby and not take a toy away while she is holding it but if it's on the floor it's fair game. We have installed a baby gate in the centre of our through-lounge/dining room so if the baby is having tummy time, is using her baby gym or just playing on the floor the dogs can be in the same room, just separated from us by a gate while she is playing. Then, when the dogs are in the room, any toys she is not playing with will be put away out of reach. They've taken to it really well during practice runs and sit on their bed on the other side of the gate when we have shut-gate-time, watching what's going on or sleeping (see pic). </p> <p>As pps have said, it's a transition but it will all work out great in the end. </p> <p>@rahlyrah: That pic is sooo cute!! I really hope my two bond with the baby like that!! </p> [attach=2581/13/mq31k2.600x450.WP_001931.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937859 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:29:05 +0000 ShootingStar 937859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worry a lot about how my dog Maddy will react to the new baby too. She loves kids, but I'm not sure how she'll like him when he's in the baby stage. I've talked to DH about how we need to make sure Maddy gets attention too, as she's still part of our family. </p> <p>Luckily Maddy's usually pretty content with a few quick potty runs a day, and sitting next to/on us in the evenings. She cuddles with one of us while we watch tv at night, and then she hangs out on our bed before we go to sleep. At this point I don't see any reason for that to change after the baby's here. As long as she's near us, she's happy.</p> <p>As for the stuff, I worry too that she's going to have difficulty with distinguishing her stuff from baby's stuff. She's ok when I'm in the room with her and I tell her to leave something, but I wouldn't put it past her to grab a stray baby toy and chew it to death when I'm not around. I guess that's just life with a dog. We have thought about practicing by buying some cheap soft baby toys and working with her to understand there are some things that aren't hers. </p> <p>I really really hope the dog loves the baby. But no matter what, I still love the dog and will do everything I can to let her know that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937839 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:22:54 +0000 mediagirl 937839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thumper was very, very concerned about who this new thing was in her house. Our other dog who has since passed away could have cared less. :) Thumper definitely gets less attention and has become more clingy and needy since the baby arrived (13 months ago). She also doesn't have her playmate anymore so that probably doesn't help either.</p> <p>I sent home a blanket for them to smell and they ignored it. They have only ever tried to smell/lick her, though. They never showed aggression towards her. I think dogs get used to the new addition but, it's hard for them to lose the constant attention they are used to getting. Thumper was my baby until my baby arrived. She's dealing but I know she would prefer if the baby wasn't here. :)</p> <p>My suggestion is when you get home with the baby, say hi to your pup. Give lots of love and hugs and then, once the welcome home has settled down, then try the introductions. He will be very interested in this new addition!!</p> <p>[attach=251/13/mq3167.449x600.CameraZOOM-20120616172518737.jpg]</p> <p>[attach=251/13/mq316a.600x450.IMG_0490.JPG] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937818 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:17:52 +0000 MrsRcCar 937818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I got pregnant with N I worried how my dog would do when he arrived. I was very worried about her hurting him or anything but worried that she would feel left out. I tried to not change her world too much. While I was pregnant I would sleep on the couch and she would sleep with me on my feet. Once N was here that didn't change. She loves him so much! She is extremely protective of our little family. I still make a point to take her on walks with Dh and N. She sleeps in our bed still, N has always slept in his crib or pack and play. That way she still gets her mommy/daddy time. Now that N is older and starting to move around she always stay close. It is really cute. The cat is a different story but my dog adores him. Things change but she knows we love her so much!</p> <p>Attached is a photo if my babies. :) </p> [attach=2880/13/mq310w.600x450.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937810 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:15:40 +0000 ladybee 937810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>and just for fun, here is my baby :) </p> [attach=2199/13/mq30u5.600x600.IMG_0584.JPG] [attach=2199/13/mq30u7.600x450.IMG_0531.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937803 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:13:47 +0000 ladybee 937803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: One of our losses this year was suddenly losing my families 4 year old great dane. We were there for the weekend, Coop loved playing with her, she cuddled me, forced herself on Hubby, it was a great weekend. When we left I went over and cuddled her and told her how much I loved her and that we'd see her soon. An hour later my dad called crying saying she was gone, she had a stroke or something and was gone within minutes. That was my first unexpected loss and I do not know how I would have made it through without Coop, we grieved together. I know how hard a loss can be over a loved animal and I'm sorry you and your family are going through that. That's actually when my anxiety with Cooper started, I am afraid he will die so suddenly when before it never crossed my mind. I know Cooper will be such a good "big brother" once he transitions over to loving the baby. I hope he builds a bond with our LO like your dog did with yours!</p> <p>@rahlyrah: What a cute picture! Cooper loves us so unconditionally, he passing that love onto our baby because he is apart of us would be the best situation! His favorite part of the day with me is first thing in the morning when he gets in bed and we cuddle. I hope I can still find time to fit that in for him. I plan on making that 15 minutes a huge priority.</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: That's a great idea to greet him when we come home and let everyone else be all about baby. I know I will miss him dearly when we are in the hospital! We have also stopped letting him up on furniture and our bed, however, he still has one chair that if I'm sitting in he will sit on my legs. I will have to stock up on some Cooper toys so when the babies things are out we can redirect him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937753 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:02:08 +0000 T.H.O.U. 937753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs.... its good to have a true best friend isn't it! My dog saw me through cancer so I can't imagine much without him. I cried when I had to drop him off at doggy daycare when I was getting ready for my wedding. </p> <p>I think all you can do is give him lots of love right now. We stopped letting him on the couch/on my lap when I got pregnant. That helped a bit with the transition. </p> <p>When the baby actually came home, I greeted him and others hovered over the baby. He was very protective of me when the baby was hurting me while nursing. That was the only time I was worried he was going to be aggressive towards her because he could tell she was hurting me. </p> <p>We had lots of treats and new toys ready for him when the baby came and that helped. Now they are really good friends and its so cute to see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937748 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:01:24 +0000 Ra 937748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: I felt similarly about my pug. My pug has always been my baby. My husband even refers to him as my "soul familiar" because he was always attached to my hip. </p> <p>I was soooo worried about how he would react to the baby. We thought for sure that Dewey would hate the baby. When I moved in with my husband and his dog (when we were dating) Dew acted out a lot and started marking the house constantly. </p> <p>Like you, we weren't worried about him being aggressive as much as we thought he would be jealous of the baby and destroy his stuff. I also worried he would think I was neglecting him.</p> <p>Much to our surprise, it has been the exact opposite. Dewey is hopelessly in love with the baby. Wherever the baby is, Dewey is close by. When I have the baby on my chest, Dew sits in my lap. When I nurse, he lays right next to us. When the baby leaves the room, Dew follows. If he cries, Dew comes running over to investigate and if we happen to be in another room, he runs to find us. It is adorable. </p> <p>I think that he and I had such a connection that he somehow knows that the baby is a part of me. He took him on as his own. He even stopped marking in the house! I have had plenty of time to cuddle and pet him so he knows he is still loved. It worked out so much better than I imagined :). It sounds like you and your pup have a similar relationship. Hopefully you will have a similar experience! </p> [attach=2606/13/mq306d.450x600.papadew.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937730 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 07:58:19 +0000 heffalump 937730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're not alone, this happens to all of us furbaby moms! I tried preparing my dog, we gave my MIL LO's blanket from the hospital so he would know her scent, etc. But that did nothing. The day we came home from the hospital we had our families over for a brunch (my mom brought all the food) and the dog loved everyone there. But everyone left, and the baby stayed, and he was like, "why is she still here?" And then LO had reflux, she cried a lot, and he hated it. He'd always leave the room when we went into it. Luckily my mom lives close and she loved my dog like crazy so she'd come over all the time to take him on long walks and to the dog park. He still got plenty of attention, even if it wasn't from DH and I.</p> <p>Things eventually calmed down and we were able to give him more attention. LO got bigger, they started to interact and play together, and it just seems like it's all worth it. </p> <p>We have a new puppy now and I'm pregnant with my 2nd so we're going to have to experience this all over again. But I think it's just like siblings..... I know my LO will be extremely jealous at first as she has a fit whenever I hold a baby. But it's worth it to me to deal with that because I know they'll be best of friends later on in life. And I know the dog will get jealous, but their relationship later makes it all worth it. </p> <p>Our last dog recently passed away and my LO still asks about him. We have a photobook of all of his pictures and she asks to look at it every single day still. She's not even two yet, but their relationship was something amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-my-dog-and-my-anxiety#post-937698 Wed, 17 Jul 2013 07:50:10 +0000 ladybee 937698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am currently 26 weeks and for the last 2 years our basset/beagle pup has been my world. He has helped me through the most difficult year of loss in my life. I'm starting to worry about him with the baby. I KNOW he won't be aggressive but so far he seems to be struggling with knowing what is his and what is the babies and understanding why there is soooo much stuff coming into the house that isn't his. Sometimes I feel like he looks so hurt.</p> <p>How did you prepare your dog for your baby? He is good about staying down and certain directions but struggles with leaving things (like socks or toys that rattle) that aren't his alone.</p> <p>Here comes the crazy anxiety part: I'm very worried that he is going to think I don't love him anymore or that I love him less because we had a baby. The idea of that breaks my heart and I can't even think about it without crying. 2012 was such a hard year and I never would have made it without his support and love. </p>