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Our dog has been great with DD since she was born, but that is in part a trait of the breed (newfoundland). I did find that she was very needy when we first brought DD home but tried to offer her some attention whenever I could. If DD was napping in my arms I'd try to reach down and pet her head a few times (and also give more treats). We tried to work daily walks with our dog and baby into our "routine" as much as possible although it wasn't as much as before DD's arrival; prior to DD's arrival our dog got two walks a day but we usually fit one in a day after DD.

Perhaps you should suggest that instead of giving you grief, DH could relieve you of LO so that you and your dog can reconnect?

You are definitely not alone!! This is actually why we got a second dog (they keep each other company). We are super strict with them so when the baby came, they basically stay in the kitchen all day unless both of us are home. They are walked first thing in the morning (before getting Wagon Jr. from his crib), right after Wagon Jr. goes to bed, and before we go to bed. And after Wagon Jr. goes to bed, it's puppy time. Even then we still don't pay as much attention to them as we did before. But we try to take them to the park as much as possible (sometimes Wagon Sr. takes the two dogs and Wagon Jr. all by himself) and we let them sleep in our bed several times a week to get enough snuggle time in. THey are definitely needier, but if we're going to be a family with dogs, our dogs (present and future) need to know how things work in our house.

We have two small dogs, but when we have big dogs in the future, we'll hire a dogwalker to come once a day for at least one good chunk of exercise and attention every day. That's just one of the things you gotta do as a dog parent.

I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I think @purrpletulips: has a great idea to have your DH take LO so you can give some TLC to your dog. Sometimes I'll have DH watch LO and I'll take the dog for a walk just the two of us, like old times. I don't know if she appreciates the one on one time, but it at least makes me feel a little less guilty about choosing baby over her every other time of the day.

Otherwise, our dog is a total couch potato all day so she's not missing out on any play/attention time. That said, she recently sprained her paw and elbow and was totally down and out for a while. I felt so guilty because I found myself actually getting frustrated with her when she would be difficult and spit out her pills, refuse her food or just be generally needy. It was like caring for two fussy babies for a few days which had me totally strung out. Don't get me wrong, I was beside myself because she was hurt, but I feel like such an ass for not having more patience for her.

That stinks! I can't relate, but reading this further reinforces my desire to never have a dog.

Oh I totally know how what you're going through. It's been almost 3 years since our first was born. And I'm just starting to show more affection towards our dog. He was our first baby and we gave him so so much attention before the kids were born. He was so attached to both of us, but now he's only attached to my husband. He likes to lick, so when the kids were tiny babies, I didn't him to lick me as often, I wash my hands a lot as is with the baby. And slowly, he just stopped or sometimes he would only lick my feet. It's better now that both kids are a bit older. I make sure that I give him tummy rubs especially when the kids are in the room too so he doesn't think that kids=no attention for him. He's always been super gentle with the kids which I'm really thankful for.

So sad I left my beloved dog in ca because I knew I wouldn't be able to give him the love he deserved. My sisters and mom shower him with love and spoil him to death. It saddens me, but I know he's happier out there.