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Post by AmyJo27 on Oct 29, 2008 10:54:41 GMT -5
Thank You So Much!!!  He is doing REALLY good so far. We have the crib up and he likes to sniff it but he doesnt act afraid of it or anything. He's been being such a good boy!!! Thanks again! |
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Post by DiamondTiger on Oct 29, 2008 11:54:07 GMT -5
Sounds like you're on the right track then!  Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help. Good luck! ;D P.S. You'll find too, once your baby's old enough to enjoy the company of her four legged friend... they'll be the best of friends! Just don't forget to teach the little one how to interact appropriately with the dog and as I tell everyone who is willing to listen... NEVER let your guard down or get too relaxed when it comes to kids and dogs. It's when people grow so comfortable and think it'll be okay "just this once" that accidents happen. I don't go to the bathroom without crating my dogs because you just never know if that moment will come this time when you walk out of the room. It's extra work, but SO worth it because kids that grow up with pets and knowing how to treat animals grow up to be AWESOME people and they'll never forget that first pet I swear. I STILL tell people about my first dog, Spiffy, who I was already a part of the family when I was born. She was my best friend and saved me a few times when I got myself into spots (while sleepwalking as a kid). She grew old and developed cancer so mom and dad ended her suffering when I was 12, Spiffy was 14. And I still remember (like it was yesterday) what it felt like to snuggle into her soft warm fur. |
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Post by pitpupmom on Dec 10, 2008 8:32:20 GMT -5
Just remembered something. If your dog lets you pull on him, like light tugs on the ears and tail and even on the skin. Work on this as well. I always tug on my dogs ears and tails just so the dog gets used to the little tugs that toddlers do to dogs. It makes it easier when the kid is to young to understand what is appropriate and what isn't.
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 10, 2008 9:07:15 GMT -5
Just remembered something. If your dog lets you pull on him, like light tugs on the ears and tail and even on the skin. Work on this as well. I always tug on my dogs ears and tails just so the dog gets used to the little tugs that toddlers do to dogs. It makes it easier when the kid is to young to understand what is appropriate and what isn't. A good addition - and this can be done with any sort of handling you do with your dog - is to touch/gently tug, and then click/treat. This helps the dog associate the action with something good. You want the dog not just tolerating what you do, but excited about it because he's anticipating something he enjoys. |
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Post by DiamondTiger on Dec 11, 2008 6:42:44 GMT -5
Definitely a good addition! Heck... every time I have a new dog come in, whether it's my own or a foster... I start working with them on the "kid proofing". I've been known to stick my fingers up their nose (not far, but slightly) then sing praises and have parties for the dog showing no reaction or giving a kiss. I touch (not poke) eyes (not eyeballs) because toddlers are notorious for showing everyone and EVERYTHING where their eyes, nose, ears, mouth, etc; are and they don't differentiate between person, cat or dog.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Dec 11, 2008 14:17:55 GMT -5
Thank You! I have been working on lightly tugging at his ears and I will hold on to his tail. He just licks my hands and wags his tail so that is good!!! 12 weeks to go!!! I'm 28 weeks along! Time is flying! I think Boomer is doing incredibly well with everything so far.
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 11, 2008 15:15:33 GMT -5
Thank You! I have been working on lightly tugging at his ears and I will hold on to his tail. He just licks my hands and wags his tail so that is good!!! 12 weeks to go!!! I'm 28 weeks along! Time is flying! I think Boomer is doing incredibly well with everything so far. Woohoo!! :grinslay: The baby will be the youngest honorary forum member ;D |
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Post by AmyJo27 on Dec 16, 2008 14:21:30 GMT -5
Lol!!! |
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maryc
Full Fledged Poster
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Post by maryc on Dec 17, 2008 0:55:54 GMT -5
Marthina and I have had conversations about babies and dogs so this is very timely. I had dogs before kids and it never occurred to me that they wouldn't get along. I had twins so my poor dog really found out what it was like to not be the center of attention any more. One of the things I did, and I honestly don't know why now (it was a loooong time ago) was from the time the girls were born I taught them that the only way to touch an animal was with a flat hand, gently taking their palm to stroke both the dog and the cat. We also worked with the dog to accept not so gentle handling, but with our kids anyway they never were allowed to touch a dog with anything but an open palm, never fingers to grab any part of them with fingers clenched  It seemed to work, they all survived anyway, and I didn't always have the most kid friendly dogs ??? I wish you all the luck and happiness!! Mary |
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 17, 2008 9:15:11 GMT -5
^ Good stuff. My brother and I were raised around animals and always taught to respect them, and like you Mary, we did NOT have the most kid-friendly dogs. My bro and I were very animal-savvy cuz that's how we were raised. So it's not just 'about the dog', the kids have always got to learn from the get-go how to behave and to treat animals with respect.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Dec 17, 2008 17:00:42 GMT -5
Sounds good! Never thought of the open palm thing but I will definetly do that! You guys have all been a big help! Before I posted this thread I was feeling overwhelmed and felt like it was not going to work (Having a 1 year old dog and a newborn baby) but I feel content now! Thank you so much! (Now if only there was a cat forum like this one) Lol! |
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 18, 2008 9:31:46 GMT -5
Sounds good! Never thought of the open palm thing but I will definetly do that! You guys have all been a big help! Before I posted this thread I was feeling overwhelmed and felt like it was not going to work (Having a 1 year old dog and a newborn baby) but I feel content now! Thank you so much! (Now if only there was a cat forum like this one) Lol! Aw, well I'm glad we could help. We are here to support you! I can only imagine how overwhelmed you must have felt (I don't have kids), but I oftentimes wonder how I'd manage with dogs AND a kid. But I remind myself that TONS of people do it and live through it.  ;D |
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Post by DiamondTiger on Dec 19, 2008 6:43:49 GMT -5
Marthina and I have had conversations about babies and dogs so this is very timely. I had dogs before kids and it never occurred to me that they wouldn't get along. I had twins so my poor dog really found out what it was like to not be the center of attention any more. One of the things I did, and I honestly don't know why now (it was a loooong time ago) was from the time the girls were born I taught them that the only way to touch an animal was with a flat hand, gently taking their palm to stroke both the dog and the cat. We also worked with the dog to accept not so gentle handling, but with our kids anyway they never were allowed to touch a dog with anything but an open palm, never fingers to grab any part of them with fingers clenched It seemed to work, they all survived anyway, and I didn't always have the most kid friendly dogs ??? I wish you all the luck and happiness!! Mary Yup... yup... I've done this with my own kids from the time they were born and I've done it with kids I've watched for friends and family. I cringe when I see people allowing their little ones to "beat" on a dog or carry a cat or small dog upside down. They think its funny, I think.... "Really, what are you teaching that child?" It's so VERY important to start teaching our children compassion, respect and kindness from the get go... it's easier to form a habit than it is to break one. |
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Post by Brad and Jessy on Feb 3, 2010 14:27:33 GMT -5
Being a new pit bull owner and a father of a newborn and a 4yr old (both boys), I can tell you what my wife and I have been working on. First, we let our 1yr old female APBT Fiona have contact with the baby. We don't leave the baby to where Fiona can get to her. But we do let her sniff and lick the baby's feet about 2 to 3 times a day. Fiona wants to be a part of every member of our family and the baby is no exception. We are holding the baby while Fiona is doing this!
I understand being worried, we were to. Now, we are not worried, but we do remain vigilant as we would with ANY animal that is a part of our family. Keep up with your training with your pit. They are very eager to learn and please. The short time we've had our pit has been nothing short of a blessing. Our 4yr old and Fiona are inseparable. Fiona does get excited and loves to "let loose". We trained her to "let loose" in the back yard rather than in our home. Pits are remarkable family members and love to show it. With proper training and PATIENCE, I have no doubt your pit will do fine once your baby girl comes home.
Good luck and God Bless!!! GO SAINTS!!!
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Post by tank on Feb 5, 2010 7:52:46 GMT -5
We aren't even pregnant yet and we have started preparing our dogs for being around babies pretty much since we first got Lucy. Neither of them get nervous when a baby cries so that is a plus. Lucy has been around infants and children and is SO gentle with them even if she is excited and she is a rough and tumble type of girl. Gauge loves kids (maybe too much) and he is still young yet but he has some calming down around children to do. Any suggestions? I try and expose hm to neighborhood kids and make him sit for pets but he just gets up right away and starts licking face like it is his job. he does that with adults too just children are so wiggily giggly it gets him excited.
The 2 things we need to work on if we do have a kid defiantly is the sleeping on the bed thing. Already Gauge tries to sleep on top of us and no matter how much work I do he still won't get off the bed and stay down. We plan to cosleep so this is going to be a problem. I would like the dogs to still be in the room so I am thinking we need a playpen or something for the dogs in the bedroom or crate both of them. Lucy isn't crated ever because she has always been so good but she has taken an interest in Gauge's crate so I am thinking we will have to work on getting her a crate and crate training her.
We probably have a long time to plan for this since we aren't pregnant yet but I am one of those people who likes to plan ahead so I am not (as) overwhelmed with everything at once because then I tend to ignore issues lol. Anyway, I am open to suggestions and would like to hears stories from rpb members about how their dogs adjusted to a new family member.
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Post by tjamison2001 on Jan 24, 2011 13:51:29 GMT -5
Congrats on the baby! There is a bunch of great advice on here. Along with letting him sniff lotions, powder, shampoo and such. You can even start using baby lotion and powders on yourself while at home so he associates that smell with you. Might I also suggest that while you are recovering in the hospital with the baby, that you husband bring home some of the dirty baby clothes (and even a diaper or 2) and to place them in the crib, swing, playpen ect.... so the dog can have a couple of days to get used to the scent of the baby. Make sure that he/she knows the baby's room and equipment are strictly off limits. Most dogs will be a bit nervous for a few days because of all the new sights, sounds and smells. Be sure to praise "good manners" when he is around the baby and you should be just fine! Best of luck!!
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Post by fureverywhere on Feb 5, 2011 18:01:16 GMT -5
Congratulations!!!!!
How wonderful, I think the idea of the blankie is good. Dogs make sense of the world through their noses. New smell, new sounds, new person in the house. If you have friends or family with babies you should do some socializing if your dog hasn't been around infants before.
Just get all the advice you can and remember to always closely supervise baby and dog...cats are easier with babies...some curious sniffing and they prance away...until the baby is old enough to look for goodies in the litter box.
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Post by melonie on Dec 8, 2013 10:57:40 GMT -5
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He is doing REALLY good so far. We have the crib up and he likes to sniff it but he doesnt act afraid of it or anything. He's been being such a good boy!!! Thanks again!
Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help. Good luck! ;D 
I look forward to learning much here