Preparing our dog - bringing a child into the home.

[TeddysMom]

My husband and in the process of adopting a child
We don't know the age or gender yet. Could be a 1 year old to 3 years old.

My dog is very attached to us. If a child is sitting on my lap, he will squeeze his way in between us. He is use to having all our attention now.

He sleeps at the foot of the bed with us every night but we would like to change this and train him to sleep on his own bed that we have placed in our bedroom.

Also, we are working on teaching him that he is only allowed on furniture (sofa) when we say he can come up.

This is kind of difficult for me because he is my baby. But I know I'm not doing him any favours if I don't get him adjusted to our new life.

What else can we do to help prepare Teddy for the arrival of a new member to the family?

Thanks!

[Dukesdad]

I highly recommend a training session or two with a qualified behaviorial trainner. Your dog may become jealous and protective if not trained and socialized to accept others.
You are doing some corrective training but consulting a specialist could speed up the process.

[TeddysMom]

[Dukesdad]

Sounds like the socialization will not be a problem. Perhaps Teddy will end up getting twice the attention and affection so maybe no problem at all.

[Nik]

Hi Teddysmom,

I know EXACTLY how you're feeling.

My partner and I aren't planning kids, but we aren't doing anything to stop it happening, if it happens... and the thought of having a baby terrorfies my now I have my boy.

I do treat my boy as a dog, but we are joined at the hip. We spend so much time together that the thought of something else needing my attention mortifies me.

I could get really sad about it if I gave it much thought! I think of silly things like how could I manage a puchchair up the feild?!

I'm laughing as I type as I know it's not rational, but I just don't know how I'd give enough attention to Floob if a baby/kid came on the scene.


There is one thing I heard a while ago that might help with the 'jealousy' worry...

When a dog places it's self between people, it's not jealousy. Most people assume it is, and find it cute. But infact it's the dog making sure things stay 'nice'.
They step in so the two people involved don't 'fight'.
It makes perfect sense if you observe, which I did alot of as I didn't want my boy getting edgy around me and the kids that visit.

We got around it by cuddling for a few seconds and smiling saying 'good lad' as we did it. Now he'll look at whoever is 'close' and go and fetch a ball to break them up, as they have to play with him. The fact that he'll just stand looking at the ball until someone throws it means he's just standing around whilst everyone else is cuddling!

[honeybears]

teddysmom, use the search function above and type in my username and baby, about threads down there is one titled how to introduce your dog to a new baby. I dont know how to attache a thread so use this and its got some great tips.

honeybears