Dogs and Children

Begin working on brushing up on basic commands – especially STAY and OFF. There is nothing worse than having a dog jump on you when your balance is off due to a growing belly or when holding a child. I also teach dogs to sit at the top of stairs and then go down ahead of me. I do not want them charging behind me and knocking me and/or the child over. Should you have complications with pregnancy and be confined to bed, do the best you can. Your spouse, family members, friends, etc., can all be of assistance – or even hire a dog trainer to help you out if need be.

Get Scruffy used to the various sounds and smells (if possible) of a child long before yours arrives. Tape record the myriad of sounds a child makes and play them at different volumes in all rooms of the house. If you have a friend with a toddler, ask if you can use the opportunity to get your dog accustomed to the various odors and motions of a child. (Though this socializing to children should have been done when you first got your pet. However, if you suspect your dog may act aggressively, consult with a behaviorist beforehand, this will be discussed further later on). But if you can borrow clothes, etc., for short periods, do so. Babies not only sound different, but they can really smell neat!

If possible, set up the nursery a month or so before the baby is due. This will give your dog time to adjust to the new room. The rule in our house is if no adult is present, no pets in the room. (In other words, when the child is napping, all critters are out). Baby gates will be your best friends here. If your dog jumps over the gates, consider installing a screen door so you can see and hear the child easily but the pets cannot get into the nursery. I just closed the door and used monitors so I could hear if my child woke.

Get your dog used to doing a down/stay in the room. I allowed my dogs in while I nursed or changed my child. The rule was, the dogs had to down and stay quietly for the privilege of being in the nursery with us. Since I insisted they start doing this before our child was born, it was easier to adjust after the birth. I would sit in the rocking chair and have the dogs do down/stays next to it. Anything you want your dog to do after the baby arrives, start teaching beforehand. Trust me, there will be little time for this after the birth!

Many new parents get concerned when the BIG DAY arrives. Well in advance, decide who will be responsible of caring for your dogs while the baby is being born. We had a friend lined up in case I went into labor and it would be so long as the dogs could not wait for my husband to return home. We also decided that he would not spend the first night in the hospital with us. Instead, after our child was born and we were all set, my husband would go home and tend to the dogs. Our back up was our vet who would board the dogs if need be.

Luckily, my labor was five hours total. I left for the hospital at 3pm (the dogs were run, fed, pottied and brought back in first) and my husband was home shortly after midnight to care for them. My dogs were with me during the time I was in labor at home. My big guy had already learned to let me lean on him so he was great helping me get in and out of the bathroom and bed as each contraction hit. My little guy stayed right by my side and endured hands grabbing his fur suddenly. Their comfort allowed my husband to be able to pack the car and make any necessary calls. However, not all labors will be this fast and not all dogs this tolerant. Seeing you in pain can be disturbing for dogs. You are acting odd and smell different. Chances are your dog will be the last thing on your mind, but please try to remember him.

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