Dog+Baby Questions « Back to Group Discussions

[somethingsomething]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have dog/baby experience? We have a really sweet 3-year-old Golden Retriever mix and I'm 20 weeks pregnant. We've had our pup for about a year. Previously, she lived in a home that had a baby and a kindergarten-aged boy, so she has kid experience. I have a few specific questions...

1. We currently have a two-door Honda Civic and an old four-door Mercedes diesel car that we run on bio. We take our dog along with us whenever we can, and we'd like to continue to do that after the baby is born. We were thinking about getting a station wagon, but we're trying hard to save money for a house and my leave, and buying a car (even used) doesn't feel like the best use of money. We have a lot of miles on the Honda, so re-sell wouldn't be great, even though it's in good running condition. And finally, we really like our cars from an eco standpoint. Anyhow, have any of you made the smaller car situation work with a dog and a baby? What did you do? Dog seat belt? Give the dog the front seat?

2. Can anyone recommend resources on helping a dog adjust to a baby and vice versa? I've heard that Childproofing Your Dog is pretty helpful...

3. Any other words of wisdom?

Thanks in Advance!

[dandylez]

I'd be interested in this too. I have a 3 year old lab/hound X and she's been my baby since she was 10 week old puppy.  She's become so sucky since I got pregnant and follows me around from room to room.  We're hoping for a home birth, and I think I'll have to ask my sister to take her when it's time because I think the labour might make her very anxious and she'll get in the way.  She's great with kids, but I'm a teensy bit worried that she'll feel abandoned and displaced after the baby comes.

Something, I'm sorry I can't help with the car question. We have one vehicle, a RAV4 and the trunk is open, so that's where the dog goes. I did use a doggy seatbelt when she was smaller and I had a different car, and it was great.