Off to go to Doggy Class with my boys!
Today we're working on whistle training (what ever that means!) and we're hoping that it will be beneficial. We're kind of worried about how the boys will react to little Sir Squid, since Widgey (the stripey one) doesn't like kids, and that just won't do, now will it?
How did your pup react when you brought baby home?
Have any tips for us?
(Two clicks for pretty puppies?) -->
<--- (A thumbs-up for Widgey and the whistle?)
My dogs are going to freak out when we bring kids home. They do not share attention very well. But we do have a friend who just had a baby and they have a weimeriner who is obsessed and so protective of baby. They thought he might be jealous and mean-ish but he is so good. Whenever someone who is not mom or dad is holding littler Asher he stands right next to them and does not take his eyes off of them. So it could go either way, but I hope all your babies get alone. =] (And I think it's so smart that you're doing puppy classes before hand.)
Posted by: Larissa | 05/01/2011 at 09:04 AM
I have neither dogs nor children, but a coworker told me a cute story about when his first son was born that might be helpful for you:
My coworker's wife had a teacup Yorkie who was very much treated as a child, not a dog. They worried that when they actually had kids, the Yorkie would react very poorly and try to compete with the kids for attention. When my coworker and his wife were in the hospital for the birth of their first child, they gave one of the hats that the baby had worn to the person who was taking care of the dog, so the dog could get used to the baby's smell. When the new baby came home, the Yorkie ran back and forth between the hat and the baby a few times, then lay down next to the baby. My coworker's son is now 8 years old and the Yorkie is under the impression that she is his mother.
Posted by: Natalie | 05/01/2011 at 09:17 AM
that is SO cute!
Posted by: Megan Y | 05/01/2011 at 10:29 AM
We brought home a hat from the hospital for each kid for Garland to sniff before they actually came home. The hats are still in her toy box and she will occasionally play with them. I think it helped before Adam and Laura actually came through the door.
Posted by: Michelle | 05/01/2011 at 11:14 AM
I keep hearing about the hat trick and that's probably what we'll do. Luckily you have two small dogs. We have one small and one big who has a penchant for jumping up (thinking he's the small dog). We're trying to work on that and hopefully it won't be a problem by the time Margaux makes her debut!
Posted by: Marmie | 05/01/2011 at 12:15 PM
oh gosh i dont' have kids yet but dread having to do this. my dogs are awfully spoiled but good call on getting classes beforehand! please let us know how it turns out!
Posted by: camille yanair | 05/01/2011 at 05:08 PM
I don't have kids yet, but my dog has been around our niece and has done extremely well. She's by nature a submissive dog to humans, which helps--my niece grabbed her foot right out from under her nose and Cypress just turned away! Then she was chewing on a bone which my niece promptly stole and same reaction.
My husband and I are big followers of Cesar Millan. His main approach is to take leadership and take control of your energy to effectively communicate what you want your dog to do. I think for kids he recommends making very clear boundaries about the nursery, baby's thing's, etc., essentially making the baby a new pack leader before it's even born.
Here are some of his tips for introducing:
http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/yournewdog/introduce-your-dog-to-your-baby
Good luck! :)
Posted by: Caitlin | 05/05/2011 at 06:02 AM