Hellobee Boards

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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).

As pps have said, it's a transition but it will all work out great in the end.

@rahlyrah: That pic is sooo cute!! I really hope my two bond with the baby like that!!

@ladybee: Yes, that's Maddy exactly :). Although we're bad parents and definitely do less play time than you!

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.)

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.

@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

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.

Sounds like you're an awesome mommy to your pup and will make an extra effort so Coop doesn't feel left out.