Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

We have a 1 1/2 year old beagle, who is my absolute baby, he goes everywhere with me, sleeps with us, and is my main priority right now. Unfortunatly for him, (fortunate for us), he will have a rude awakening come March when we have our first baby. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to prepare my "first born" for his new little brother? I want him to continue to be an active member of our family, so I do not believe in caging him up just to "get him out of my hair." He went through training basically his whole first year of life and he is trained (as well as a beagle can be at this age). I do work full time now, but plan on going pretty part time once the baby is born, so I'm hoping that will help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

i would let him sniff and investigate the new baby stuff that you are purchasing. also let your partner take a blanket with the new baby smell (one that the baby has been laying in) home first before you get inside. this way your dog will be less apt to want to investigate the baby. hold the baby and let him sniff his new brother or sister. if you still give your beagle lovins throughout the pregnancy and continue throughout then you should have no jealousy problems. do make sure that he knows the new baby is higher in the pack than him though. as soon as your child is old enough to give simple commands i would do that. also, let your new child feed the dog when he/she is at a right age. this will help settle the order of the pack early and you shouldn't have problems later in life.

good luck and congrats!!!

Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

no trainning really just a watchful eye most dogs take care of the babies you know i wouldnt leave the baby in the floor with the dog or alone with him but you should be fine.... ive had kids and way too many dogs you should know best how your dog is now its not going to change that much just remember the dog is part of the family too

Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

First, you have to see how your dog reacts when around babies. If he becomes violent, sorry, but you'll have to keep him and the baby separate.

In the first few days (or weeks) your dog WILL get jealous, so give him some attention to show him that he's still a part of the family, just not while minding the baby.

When the baby starts crawling, he WILL want to play with your dog, pulling his tail and his ears, so, be careful!

Most dogs love babies, and once they're through the worst, your little ones will become the best of friends!!

Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

First congratulations on your pregnancy.

1 Try to get your dog used to children and babies in your home. Enlist the help of friends if possible.Obviously take good care when doing this.

2 Try and get your dog to be less dependent on you alone to prevent jealousy. Enlist your partners help with walking/ feeding etc.

3 Never leave small babies alone with a dog even if he is very friendly.

4 When your baby becomes a toddler supervise him carefully to make sure he doesn't hurt your dog. This is a common cause of dogs becoming snappy with children

5 Most dogs see children as a new young member of the pack and are generally tolerant.

Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

Probably will be fine but there are things you can do now. He's not going to like it but you need to stop letting him sleep with you. He also needs to be crate trained so he doesn't disrupt things when you need him out of the way. But you don't want to crate train after the baby comes or he might resent the baby so do it now. Then gently introduce the baby gradually.

My doggie loves her crate and it's very convenient (when I don't crate her she still goes in there to chew her bone. It's "her" home)

Congratulations and good luck!

Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

We had 2 dogs (have 3 now) when our first born arrived. We involved the dogs in our preparation for the new arrival by giving continued LOVE! We also let the dogs listen to baby inside Mommy's tummy. We told the dogs in a very happy voice that there was going to be another special member of the family, etc. The most important thing: When baby was born, my husband brought home the cap %26amp; 1st blanket ( with permission from the hospital on the blanket ) and let the dogs sniff it, and love it. When baby comes home from the hospital, they will be excited to see "Mommy" so, let hubby hold the baby so new Mommy can greet the dog(s) and show that there is still enough love for them. Then do the new arrival introduction. We were a little nervous @ first because the dogs noses were so inquisitive. Until we realized they just wanted to give new baby continued "kisses". The oldest dog became such a wonderful "Nanny" always letting me know when baby needed my attention, esp. since my hearing is very challanged. I hope this helps. Just remember, NEVER stop loving your pets....give them their own time with you, esp. when baby is napping. And keep them involved. Just like you would do with the first born when the next one comes along!

Baby coming soon, how do I prepare my dog for what is to come?

PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN.....

"How Could You?"

By Jim Willis 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh.

You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a

couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I

was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" but

then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the

park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice

cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting

for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated

by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too.

Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my

time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love

them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became

their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly

legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses

on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your

touch was now so infrequent --and I would have defended them with my life

if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and

secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the

driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog,

that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories

about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the

subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you

resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career

opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an

apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for

your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It

smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the

paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They

shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities

facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's

fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let

them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just

taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility,

and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming

move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home.

They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you, that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic

needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing

through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and

murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak,

she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her

job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or

abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and

light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of

energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How

could you?" was not directed at her.

It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

The End