re: Dogs and Baby

I have two cats , one that I've had since he was 2 1/2 weeks old ( see avatar, that's gemini!)

The other is a cat that actually came with my house, the previous owners owned them and they left him here. I call him Orange Cat... He's a sweet, loving cat... UBER lazy- spends a lot of time outside...

I am FOR SURE keeping both of my cats when Annika arrives, Neither one of them have ever given me a reason to worry... I'm pretty sure Gemini doesn't even know he's a cat  

I have a 1 and 1/2 year old chocolate lab, that is 100% my baby...she cuddles in bed with me follows me around (and has only gotten MUCH WORSE since I've been pregnant) I'm also very nervous to how she is going to react....she's going to be really protective, really jealous, or a little of both.... its all just a matter of having the baby and finding out.... as far as a health/safety issue, I don't think there is anything wrong with dogs around babies.... in good reason....I mean we can't let our 70 lb dog flop on the baby, or things like that.... I hope every thing works out fine for you (I'm sure it will)

I don't see any problem with keeping your animals. My mom's dog was very protective of me when I was little. Mom said I'd be laying there in my bassinet thing and start to cry and the dog would bark and bark and keep looking at me until someone came to get the baby.

I have a 4yr old rott.. she's spoiled rotten and is very protective of me. And now that I'm pregnant.. even more so protective. I know she'll be fine, she loves kids. I got this feeling that she'll be just as protective over the baby as she is of me. The people who had her before us got her when she was a puppy for their 2 yr old daughter.. so she is protective of kids to start with.

Just make sure you introduce your animals to your baby and teach them not to hurt the baby but to protect it... it's crazy.. the animals catch on rather quickly....

As for getting the dog used to the baby, BEFORE YOU COME HOME bring a blanket that the baby has been wrapped up in, or have hubby do it, and let the dog (or cat) smell it and get used to the scent. Before you have the baby, let the dog smell the baby powder (if you are going to use it) shampoos, even the diapers. GET THE DOG USED TO ALL THE BABY SMELLS!!!!! Dogs are driven by smells. That is how most things are communicated by dogs. cats too, but cats are pretty aloof and tend to ignore that which they do not like. Get the dog used to the new sounds. If you are using a swing, let it run before baby gets here so the dog gets used to the sounds and movement of it. Play the different noisemaker toys. Play a tape or CD of a baby crying at around the level the baby will be crying. Get the dog and cat used to all the new sounds. The idea of carrying a babydoll around is a good one too. Basically treat the doll like you would the baby. Even go so far as to "feed" the doll. Teach the dog that when you are feeding it, the dog is to stay on the floor and dont let the dog sniff the baby. Even change diapers on the doll (use one diaper, take it off, put it back on). Basically, act like the doll is the baby. That way, the dog gets used to how things will be when baby is here. You COULD go so far as to even get up in the middle of the night, but its not totally necessary.

I have a dog and two cats along with two kids and one on the way. My oldest cat has been here with each kid. She would get into the bassinet at first because she saw it as a new sleeping place (before the kids were born) but all I had to do was pick her up by the scruff of her neck, kinda (gently) shake her and yelled NO and tossed her towards the door (not viciously or anything, just enough to give her the idea that she did something very wrong).

I am really strict with my pets and, I guess, my methods may be viewed as a bit harsh, but my cat got the idea after one time. She got in the bassinet a total of 2 times in 5 years (once for each kid). She just needed to be reminded when it was put up after being put away for a few years.

My newer cat hasnt been here for the birth of any kids, but I will teach her the same exact way. She hasnt tried to get into the crib (my daughter just recently moved to a big girl bed).

My dog is a really good dog with the kids. She lets them lay on top of her, pull her ears, they even jump over her while she lays down chewing on her bone. She is pretty laid back, but she does get her bursts of puppy energy (she just over a year old and is a 40 lb dog, so she still has alot of puppy left in her). She doesnt go in to the kids room because I have a gate up and she hass been scolded too many times for going in there (she used to poop in there when she got mad at us).

I dont see anything wrong with keeping pets when you have a baby. Pets are a big responsibility. They arent furniture or objects, and I firmly believe that when you get a pet you are committing yourself to the care of that pet for the rest of its life. You dont just get rid of it because something changes.