New Baby, New Puppy

[SunnieJo]

I need some advice. Around the same time our baby is due we will have a new puppy also. Are there any health concerns with puppies and babies, I know about the health concerns with cats and babies, but haven't heard anything with puppies. Besides the obvious nipping and scratching of course. Also any advice as how to make a smooth change for the exsisting dog and new puppy when the baby comes? Really how to introduce the dogs to the baby, let them know there's another member of their human family?
ANY help is welcome!
Thanks!

[fuzzy]

Hey!What kind of dogs are they?? I have a boxer and we had him before baby,We talked to our dog trainer and he said to get a doll that cries and see how the dog reacts,gives you an idea if there is something that needs to be dealt with.He also said that when I came home from the hospital ,to bring a new toy for him and that I should go in first without the baby to give him attention(longtime away from him)then bring in baby.Bosco(my dog)sniffed the baby the didn't give much attention but we didn't pay any attention into either.My fiancee kept taking bosco for a walk every evening so he still felt like he had his part in our pack.The way I saw it as not much changed for bosco and he still ahd a good life,and the more you make of something the more that will come of it.
There really isn't anything like the litter box thing for dogs,they do suggest that you don't let the dog lick the face.The doctor told me that kids that grow up with animals are less likely to develop allergies to them
So are you getting the new puppy before or after baby or still don't know? If it comes after baby then I would suggest kennel training (either way i think I'd suggest kennel training;you take the puppy out when you have time for it and have full attention on him/her.When we brought out 2nd dog home we did this in the am my fiancee would let her out to pee/poop then when our son would go for his nap I would take her out again feed her let her out and the 2 would play in our backyard(fenced)When the baby woke up back in the kennel until the next nap.when we were both home and one of us per baby(logan DS and Zoey(puppy bullmastiff/american bulldog)we would have Logan playing on the floor or what ever and we would get Zoey in a sit stay or lay down and stay to watch/observe the baby without going in his face.We even were told that when we didn't want to kennel her we could keep her on leash in the house so she learned the boundaries I would do the dishes my son would be playing in the living room and I couldn't watch everyone so i put her on leash and put the leash handle around the door knob and she'd have to stay in the room with me.It didn't hurt her(I feel like I should mention just again showing her boundaries/limitations.Sometimes it was really hard with both baby and puppy (I got really stressed from time to time) I would just put her in the kennel and shut the door,it was the best thing for her (meaning having a frustrated mommy is no good for anyone)and I'd take her out when things had settled with the baby
Now,My son is 14 months and my puppy is 9 months (same size as my boxer though)and things are great.Everybody get along my son can do just about anything to those dogs and they don't even flinch.I of course don't let him pick on them too much but i like that i know the worst has happened and they didn't eat his face off(another post,long story).
One more thing that I can suggest is making sure there is no aggression towards food/bones/toys/you or your SO if there is then they will have to be addressed to and that can be dealth with alot of different ways,these are things that you should be aware of before you bring baby home.have you picked the new puppy yet,do you have the pick cause when I would pick I would watch for dominence and aggressive behaviour(may not be the family dog your looking for
I hope this helps!I know there's alot and I'm better at talking then typing(I can't get my thought in order)so if there's anything you don't understand just let me know
Melissa

[War_Eagle]

I need some advice. Around the same time our baby is due we will have a new puppy also. Are there any health concerns with puppies and babies, I know about the health concerns with cats and babies, but haven't heard anything with puppies. Besides the obvious nipping and scratching of course. Also any advice as how to make a smooth change for the exsisting dog and new puppy when the baby comes? Really how to introduce the dogs to the baby, let them know there's another member of their human family?
ANY help is welcome!
Thanks!

Depending on the breed (obviously, you don't want pit bulls or dogs like that in the house with children), most dogs are great with children.

Dogs tend to be very sensitive to things like this and understand what a new baby means.

When Jason was born, our golden retriever would park herself in front of the baby's door and refuse to let anyone but my wife in the room. She felt it was her job to protect the baby from the world and she was determined to do it, too.

The only caution I would have, especially when it comes to toddlers, is that some breads, especially labs and retrievers, are very gentle and very laid back and tolerate children very well, but are also very clumsy. While most dogs of this breed would never dream of hurting a child on purpose, they're so big and so clumsy that you have to keep an eye on them, lest they accidently hurt the children when they're roughhousing with them.

[SunnieJo]

Thanks Melissa! Actually some of those ideas I didn't even think of! We have an 8 month old chocolate lab mix Sunny, and we will be getting a Siberian Husky puppy at the end of next month. So a few months before the baby is due. (November) Sunny is already kennel trained and the new puppy's kennel is already sitting next to hers our motto is it's safer in the kennel then running around eating garbage or couches...(an old dog ate a chair then promptly needed surgery to remove the foam bits. that same dog ate a tin can and needed surgery again.)
Thanks again for the tips!
-Jessica

[myboysmom]

My cousins got a male husky puppy when they were about 5 & 3 years old, I think. He just passed away this last year (15 years) and he was a great dog! He was good with my cousins and any new tiny family members that arrived over the years. Good luck with both dogs and the baby! I have 2 boys, 5 & 2, and one due anytime. We just got a german shepherd/lab mix for outdoors; she is about 7 months old, and already is generally good with the boys, other than wanting to play a little rowdy with them sometimes.

[charliesmommy]

A puppy and a baby at the same time? I just can't imagine. My advice is going to be harsh. But keep in mind that I volunteer at an animal rescue. We had someone adopt a puppy 3 months before she had her baby girl. She also had 2 boys I believe were 7 & 5. Old enough to be very helpful with the dog. She contacted me after her baby was born in a panic because they were having a very hard time raising a puppy and having a new born. I can't count the number of times we've had young dogs turned in because the owners couldn't handle them with a new baby. My advice is to not bring a puppy into your house.

My own experience is that when I got pregnant we were fostering puppies. We stopped when I was about 7 months pregnant and were hoping to start having one puppy at a time after Charlie was born. He is now 9 months old and that has yet to happen. It's just not practical and would take time and energy away from Charlie.

[SunnieJo]

That's never harsh advice! I've also done some volunteer work at the animal shelter in my home town and I've seen it first hand. We would never get more then we thought we could handle and we always have a plan B for our animals that NEVER includes making them sit in a shelter, the way we were raised was when you take on an animal it's for life, if by some reason you can't keep them then you find someone yourself to care for them. My brother would like another husky in his home but is puting off buying one until we know for sure we can handle it all. I know pawning off a puppy on someone else isn't an answer either but if he doesn't work for us he will go to a loving home with my brother.
That is a VERY good point though calling attention to the overcrowding of our nations animal shelters. Trust me this pup will never see the inside of one.

[cdato20]

I'm gonna have to agree with Charlie's mommy. You are a very brave individual. Do you keep the dogs in the house? That would make me crazy. The mess that came with my children has been bad enough without adding outdoor critters to the mix.

[SunnieJo]

Yep, we keep them in the house. Dare I mention we are also moving a month after the baby is born? A crazy time indeed. The new house has 4 bedrooms and a fenced in yard. Possibly the dogs will spend more time outside then now but they will spend nights indoors. If I can handle the mess my husband makes now I can handle any mess. haha! It's not about weather we can handle 2 dogs and a baby, it's really just how to get the dogs to adjust to not being our EVERYTHING in life.

[fuzzy]

SunnieJo, For us(or the dogs) having that one long walk at night,I felt was the best thing to keep the dogs feeling a part of our pack.They adjust rather quickly and a fenced in back yard,you'll find probably puppy and current dog will play lots back there..my dog bosco never played outside on his own then we fenced the yard and got Zoey well now they spend most of the day out thereOh,yeah and when Logan went to bed at night,I'd give them their turn at being baby'd..loves the belly rubs