Dog + baby: What to expect?

[jezebelle]

I am pregnant with my first, and in addition to two adult cats, we also have a 10-month-old miniature schnauzer pup. I am due in October, so he will be well over a year when the baby comes, but I have some concerns. He is not aggressive in any way, plus he’s small enough for us to easily keep him in check—the issue is not whether the baby will be safe. I am concerned about his happiness with a new baby in the family. Obviously, we will be spending less time with him and giving him less attention. There will be more areas of our home that will be off limits to him. He will be disturbed regularly by the baby’s crying. I love my dog, enough to want what’s best for him, but I’m unsure what that is right now. Would he be better off with another family? One that can baby him instead of a human baby? Would it help to get another dog around his age, or would that just make it even harder on us? I’m a little heartbroken at the idea of finding a new home for him, but I want him to be as happy as possible.

Do any of you have experience with this? What do you think?

[jennica]

Don't get rid of him! If you love him and he loves you than you are the best place for him. It should all work out fine, and in the end your dog will gain another family member who loves him. We had two cats when Ds was born and one of them hated that we brought a baby home. But, that cat sleeps on his bed every night now. It will be an adjustment for your dog, but I'm sure he can handle it. There are far worse situations a dog can find himself in than having to adjust to a new family member who will soon be one his best friends.

[MamaMonica]

Moved to Pets. You will get more advice here.

[Paeta16]

Don't get rid of him. He will certainly have an adjustment period...as will everyone in your household and that is totally normal. He is young enough that he will adapt quickly. If he's anything like my dog (a 100 lb lab mix) then he'll just adopt the baby as one of your "pack" members. My dog makes sure to check on our 3 y.o. if anyone comes into our house or b/f we go to bed. She's also the first one in there in the morning to say "good morning"

You'll also have time for the dog...it just won't be ALL of your time.

[Ola_]

One good suggestion is to start making the changes that will happen now so you can do it gradually (less attention, take away bed/couch priviledges, practice walking beside a stroller if you're planning to use one or just work on good leash manners, etc). If he's a stressy dog get some rescue remedy to give him during the transition. If you can arrange for someone to take him on regular walks once the little one arrives that would be great - exercise helps to reduce those stress hormones, same as in humans.

Also I have a book recommendation, "Childproofing your dog" by Kilcommons/Wilson.

[rparker]

I second the Childproofing Your Dog recommendation. I began deliberately spending less time with our 2 Chihuahuas during pregnancy #1 and I transitioned them from sleeping with me to either sleeping together in their playpen or sleeping in another room with my husband.

They adjusted to life with a baby just fine. One of them was actually pretty attached to our daughter from the start. The other one is beginning to like her more now that she's able to play. We didn't really have any issues at all until she began walking and they didn't get "bad" until she hit 24 months. All of the issues are on our daughter's side btw... it's a struggle for her to understand how to be gentle with such small dogs, but she's learning. The dogs have never been even remotely aggressive with her and seem to like her more as she grows.

To a certain extent, our dogs probably would be happier if we'd remained childless... they're 6 pound dogs who enjoy being the center of attention. They're definitely happier living in a home with a child though than they would have been if we'd given them to someone else. Dogs are very loyal pack animals; if they're treated decently they manage to adjust