Pets and baby stuff

[Bluedaisy]

Haha my dog needs to give everything her lick of approval!

[baileybaileybne]

My dog became a little obsessed with a stuffed pink giraffe I bought but it's far more likely that he just wants it for himself!
He has a sniff of a few things and visits the nursery occasionally to check it out but I really don't think he'll have any idea until there is an actual 'person smell' in the house.
My OB recommended that DH bring something home from the hospital to prepare the dog for the smell so when he meets LO it's the same smell and registers that it belongs in the house.
Sounds good but we'll see how it plays out!

[dogmama22]

We don't have a ton of stuff set up in the main areas yet, but our dogs aren't super interested in anything. They've mostly sniffed everything that comes in a few times and then they ignore it. Tucker was getting into our cloth diapers for a while so I just have to make sure that I put them somewhere where he can't climb and get them. I'm sure any stuffed toys are going to pose a similar issue, so we'll see how that goes. I really would love to put a note on the registry that says *no squeaky toys, please.*. If only that weren't tacky...

[paintdadanta]

Neither of our dogs have shown any interest in the baby stuff. The cat, however, is a different story. If the nursery door is opened she darts in and tries to see everything including opening and climbing in the drawers for a better look. She is scared of the rock-a-roo though which can be amusing.

[cnumbers]

Apr 27, 2015 20:06:33 GMT -5 @littlechivette said:

We finally got our pack n play and set it up. I wanted to give the dogs ample amount of time to sniff it and get used to it. I also have several baby things down stairs like a tub of diapers and a laundry basket. Neither dog seems interested in anything which I take a good thing. Anyone else's fur babies not showing much interest in baby stuff?

If this was discussed already, than ignore me.

I can't wait to set up our pack and play but haven't gotten around to it just yet. Just after I bought it I went to SO parents house & sat the pack and play in the hallway. The dog and cat took an interest, the cat hid behind the package whilst the dog looked around confused wondering where the cat had disappeared too. They're very curious, both of them which makes me cautious of when we bring LO home to grandparents house for the first time. I'm unsure of how they will react to him.

Forgot to mention I bought LO a Simba teddy that plays a lullaby if you pull on its tail, when I brought it home I think the dog thought it was a toy for her, she had a crazy look in her eyes as if waiting for me to throw it for her or something. It is now well out of her reach!

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2015 20:23:10 GMT -5 @littlechivette said:

Glad my pups aren't the only ones who seem disinterested. Hopefully that'll remain once peanut is home. Has anyone's OBs recommended doing anything special other than bringing home some clothes after delivery?

The only other tip I heard is to introduce them outside first with DH holding the baby and you tending to the dog. This is supposed to establish a neutral introduction since the dog would be more territorial inside their house, and with DH holding the baby less threatening to the pup for jealousy issues of their mama having a new "cub" so to speak.

[dogmama22]

Apr 27, 2015 20:31:33 GMT -5 @ktpatter said:

Apr 27, 2015 20:23:10 GMT -5 @littlechivette said:

Glad my pups aren't the only ones who seem disinterested. Hopefully that'll remain once peanut is home. Has anyone's OBs recommended doing anything special other than bringing home some clothes after delivery?

The only other tip I heard is to introduce them outside first with DH holding the baby and you tending to the dog. This is supposed to establish a neutral introduction since the dog would be more territorial inside their house, and with DH holding the baby less threatening to the pup for jealousy issues of their mama having a new "cub" so to speak.

This makes sense because it's what we do when we get a new foster pup. I had just always heard the previous suggestion, but I'm not sure why I didn't think of this. Definitely something to think about.

[ladymouse]

My male cat just humps the fur off the leg of a giant stuffed bear. My female cat likes sleeping in the crib - because it's quiet and out of the way. The male was deeply interested in my son when he was born - he wouldn't touch the baby and always stayed out of reach, but he'd bite us if the baby cried for more than about a minute or two. We were more concerned about the female cat, who just wanted to cuddle. I didn't trust her not to smother the baby. Once DS could crawl, they were best friends (he'd just lay his head on her, and she'd purr like she'd found heaven on earth.)

[mrskblack11]

I read a Cesar Millan that said it was good to set boundaries with the nursery. So far the dogs are not allowed in the nursery to help prevent them from being territorial over that room. When I am in there , I leave the door open and make them sit outside the door.

We will have someone bring home a baby blanket for the dogs to smell before we come home.

I like the suggestion of having the dogs meet the baby outside in neutral territory. It will probably be a good idea for us to see the dogs first before we introduce them to the baby as I am sure they will be super excited to see us after being away for a couple of days.

[lc1158]

My biggest cat has claimed the rocker as his and when we leave the door open he heads right for that spot. The other 2 walk around in the nursery, explore the closet some and then are done. I was worried that they would go straight for the crib but nope, Couldn't care less.

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2015 21:06:48 GMT -5 mrskblack11 said:

I read a Cesar Millan that said it was good to set boundaries with the nursery. So far the dogs are not allowed in the nursery to help prevent them from being territorial over that room. When I am in there , I leave the door open and make them sit outside the door.

This is what I'm struggling with right now. The nursery used to be our office and had a couch in it that our pup could lay on durning the day and look out into the backyard. Since it is empty right now he just kind of walks around and then leaves, but I can't figure out how to suddenly train him that it's "off limits" when for 6 years it has been one of his little spots. My only thought is just keep the door closed at all times right now and only let him in there when I'm in there after LO arrives.

[purpledaisy923]

My cats have slept in the cribs, the bouncer, the swing, the glider, and the stroller. After a cap nap or two in each item, they have lost interest. All of the items will be washed before the babies go in them, fyi. We plan on keeping the nursery door closed when the babies are in there without us, so the cats cannot go in without our supervision. Both of my cats like to cuddle, so our biggest fear is that one of the cats could unintentionally smother one the the babies.

[wink568]

We set up the bassinet in our room. Dog doesn't pay any attention to it. Cats were intrigued, so we lined the inside with aluminum foil to keep them out.

We'll probably take the same route with introductions after birth and having my mom bring something home that smells like baby. The nurse at the hospital recommended the hat they first put on baby.

[missjenniebean]

Sadie just sniffed everything then went back to lying down. Cat could care less. We will see when baby gets here, I expect a few issues until a schedule is figured out.

ETA I say that BC my dog does wonders on a schedule and let's face it, those first days will be rough also we also plan to send something with baby scent on it home before us and have me come in first to greet her then SO will walk in with baby. No animals allowed in nursery unless we are there.

[billyhorrible]

Apr 27, 2015 21:06:48 GMT -5 mrskblack11 said:

I read a Cesar Millan that said it was good to set boundaries with the nursery. So far the dogs are not allowed in the nursery to help prevent them from being territorial over that room. When I am in there , I leave the door open and make them sit outside the door.

Honestly, if Cesar Milan says to do something, you should do the exact opposite.  He is the most dangerous dog trainer out there.  You wouldn't believe the number of lawsuits against him from people trying to use his "methods" and getting seriously injured.


My dog was never/is never interested in the baby things.  He's not interested in babies either.  He gives them wide berth.  Although he is in love with the rug in the nursery because it's so soft.  But he's not interested in being in there when we aren't.  He used to do the same thing with my son, camp out while we were in there, but otherwise completely uninterested.

[Deleted]

One of my dogs jumped in the pack n play and slept in there last night. Other then that they show the most interest in any of the small stuffed toys, the wood toys and anything squeaky like Sophie the giraffe. I can understand since all these toys are almost identical to their own dog toys so it's impossible for them to tell the difference .

[pghtruelove]

My dog is obsessed with the baby stuff. I have friends brig their newborns over all the time too so she can get used to the sound of babies and me holding and paying attention to somethjg else too.

Everything that comes for the baby I open the box and let her sniff it first and then set it up and if need to, turn it on, and let her explore it for a while.

[effthisnoise]

PPs have some good advice. I also read that it's a good idea for your dog to go on a long walk or get a lot of exercise before meeting the baby so he/she will be tired and less excited. I'm hoping we can get my parents to do that for us.

[turtletyme]

I've had all of the "stuff" downstairs for months while we've been finishing the nursery. We put the Mamaroo and stroller together over the weekend and left them out and she could not have cared less. My main concern would be blankets, stuffed animals and toys, because she always thinks those are for her.

I have taken the advice I read about carrying the fake baby around and so far, the dog is disinterested in that too. We shall see!

[Deleted]

My Boston terrier has been hanging out in the nursery quite a bit, while we have been putting it together. He loves to keep an eye on what's going on in there and check everything out. DH's yellow lab, just came into that room for the very first time a couple of days ago. She's suddenly very interested in being in there too.

When we came back from the consignment sale on Saturday will all the used baby gear both of them swooped in and were all over it with the investigating noses. They definitely know something is up.

[mrskblack11]

Apr 27, 2015 22:49:48 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

Apr 27, 2015 21:06:48 GMT -5 mrskblack11 said:

I read a Cesar Millan that said it was good to set boundaries with the nursery. So far the dogs are not allowed in the nursery to help prevent them from being territorial over that room. When I am in there , I leave the door open and make them sit outside the door.

Honestly, if Cesar Milan says to do something, you should do the exact opposite.  He is the most dangerous dog trainer out there.  You wouldn't believe the number of lawsuits against him from people trying to use his "methods" and getting seriously injured.

I don't follow Cesar Millan and was unaware of lawsuits against him. I don't have any knowledge about his other training methods. I wouldn't think anyone is getting injured from keeping a room in the house off limits.

ASPCA has some good training tips for preparing for the baby. They include tips if you decide to keep the nursery off-limits or not. 

www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/preparing-your-dog-new-baby

[holliberry28]

I think my cats will be scared of the baby to be quite honest. One of my cats loves to be in the nursury, sit on the crib ledge or just at the window, the other could care less. I also plan to have our parents bring him a hat/blanket home from the hospital. But, I think the crying will be what gets them.

Both my parents and DH's parents keep telling us they're afraid of the cats smothering the baby at night, ugh.

[Deleted]

Apr 28, 2015 6:01:10 GMT -5 @bubbs119 said:

The transition is going to be difficult.

The cutest!!!!!

[baytosa2013]

Our two cats took over that room fairly quickly when we first moved in since it was always empty and they would lay and play in there. Now that it is rapidly getting filled with baby things they are very curious and definitely know something is up. One has taken up residence under the crib to sleep and the other in the window seat. They haven't bothered much other than to smell around and claim the cardboard boxes. We will be keeping the door closed though when she's sleeping just in case. I think the crying will freak them out enough anyway. The one item that was tested out:

[mrsmonogrammed]

Our dog is allowed in baby's room...she mostly just stretches out in front of the crib or glider if I'm sitting there. She does get kicked out if she starts acting crazy.
As for stroller/ mamaroo/car seat, she gives them a wide berth, like she knows they are not for her! It's actually kind of cute if we accidentally send one of her toys by a piece of baby gear she gets all cautious and casually walks over to get it being sure to never actually touch it. Hilarious for the dog that gets no traction on our hardwood and routinely slams into walls when she gets excited about stuff!
Like PP's, I will go in first to greet her after coming home from the hospital and H will bring in baby. We will probably leave baby in the car seat and let the dog sniff a little before we fully come into the house. I'm liking the advice about having the dog be tired, I might see if my aunt or someone can take her for a walk before we get there.

[bruunk]

Our cat LOVE LOVE LOVES the glider (she won't move when I try to sit in it... she's gotten semi squashed before she moves) and for awhile she really liked jumping up on the changing table, which she hasn't done in a while. I'm hoping she'll care less - we don't have a nursery, or a designated space that is JUST baby since we live in a loft (one big room). So we'll just be keeping a really close eye on her. She'll either not care (great), hate us (and disappear into DH's sound studio - which is fine, she can have that), or she'll love it and baby (in which case I'm a little worried she'll snuggle him and smother him...)

My mom says her cats could have cared less when I was born - they liked that the humans were sitting/sleeping more, and once I was a few weeks old and less fussy, they liked to curl up with me. But once I got grabby they avoided me (don't blame them!)

[mrsdee1982]

I am late to this party. We've let our pup smell and inspect every piece of baby related item we've brought into the house. Hell, she even climbed into our mamroo yesterday and took a nap (She's only 8 pounds ). We've invited her into the nursery with us whenever we're in there. We've also been playing youtube videos of babies crying, so she can get used to the sound and realize it's not a reason to panic. We've been working with her on personal boundaries. She knows now that before she can jump up into mine or DH's lap, she must first be invited up. DH will also be bringing home a blanket or hat that will have the baby's scent on it.

I hope we've done all we can to get her used to her new pack member.