GSDs and babies

[hethir]

OK, I have a twofold question:

1. I have a 9 month old baby and two GSDs (actually, one is mixed with 1/4 border collie). After my baby was born, my dogs went from being my pride and joy to almost a constant irratation. With all of the demands of a baby and almost never getting a good night's sleep, my feelings of joy in my dogs hasn't returned. Has anyone been here before? I miss being thanksful for my pooches!!

2. I'm always SUPER careful whenever there is any interaction between the dogs and my wee one. I may even be a little "too careful" if you ask my husband. What are some guidlines/rules to dog/baby interaction? I'm pretty good at reading my dog's attitude. My female (mix) is really maternal and loves on the baby. Clutch (BIG PB male) seems a bit weirded out, perhaps, or maybe just cautious and often just gets up and moves whenever the baby's around. Other times he's intently curious. Is there any parents out there who can share how their babies and dog's interacted?

Thanks for any advice! :-)

[spiritsmom]

I have a 2.5 yr old girl and a 2 week old boy and then 5 dogs and 2 cats. My pets were the focus of my life up until my kids came along. Now my kids are first and I do sometimes get annoyed that I feel like I am spending all day cleaning up after the dogs and the kids too. Right now I have just 2 dogs and the 2 cats because 3 of the dogs are staying at my mom's house and my MIL's house while we get the new baby settled in. They will be coming back in the next couple weeks. My dogs have all been great with my daughter and the only one who I am extra careful with around the baby is our youngest GSD because she is just a big puppy still at 8 months old and very clumsy.

My cats on the other hand may be looking for new homes or might find themselves relocated to being outside mostly. Sterling is my cat whom I've had for years but he's been demonstrating worse behavior as time has gone on. He destroys my carpet, pees outside the box and has taken to nipping and scratching my daughter and me - unprovoked. The other cat is a stray I took in over the winter and she is semi feral so she is definitely not good with kids and she attacks the dogs whenever she can. So right now the cats are confined to a storage room till the weather gets nice.

So I've been where you are now, but it gets better as time goes on. I still enjoy the time I spend with my dogs and now I like seeing my daughter interact with them and know she is growing up with a good sense of responsibility around animals that she wouldn't have if we didn't have pets. She is very gentle with them and like to help out where she can. But yes, back when she was a baby I used to get very annoyed at my dogs because they'd bark and wake her up and just be in the way for the most part. It got better as she got older though and now I am so thankful for my kids and my dogs (at this point can't quite say the same for the two cats).

[Stevenzachsmom]

Well, first, I think you seriously need to reconnect with your dogs. Make some quality time for them. They deserve better. If you had an older child, would you push him to the side, because of your new baby? These dogs are a part of your family too.

Secondly, why haven't you formed a stronger bond between your baby and dogs before now? You have had 9 months. That's a long time. Always supervise your dog and child, but for crying out loud, give the dogs a chance. It doesn't sound as if you have given the dogs an opportunity to accept your child, because you are so afraid something will happen. Let them sniff and lick the baby. Take them ALL on walks together. Let the dogs take treats out of the baby's hand. This can be the start of a life-long, loving relationship.

Do not leave the dogs and child alone together. Things happen - usually by accident. There are always two sides to every story. Some things that happen are the child's fault. The dog can't tell his side, so you need to figure things out. My friend has always had GSDs. Her daughter was playing with there young dog. She was holding out a toy and pulling it back. The dog went for the toy and got the child's thigh. Her mother said, "I told you not to do that." The child responded, "I know." In other words, kids need to know the rules too. As your child gets older, make sure there is mutual respect.

Wishing you years of enjoyment with your child and dogs!

[krispifsu]

I have a ten month old daughter, 2 GSD's (one 2.5 years, one 8 months), and 2 cats (7 and 9 years old) and while it does get exhausting sometimes...especially with a teething baby that is waking several times a night...but there is one thing to keep in mind and I swear saves me....

A TIRED DOG IS A GOOD DOG.

I make a schedule for myself and actually (tentatively) schedule in playtimes with the dogs. If I can wear them out, they behave much better and makes my time with all of them easier. When life in general is easier, things flow better and I get more time overall to just enjoy everyone. It's not easy, especially since it always seems the second I have things clean and in order something ALWAYS come up, but I love my daughter and I love my dogs.

Some days I take the easy way out. I know chasing the hose water will exhaust the dogs in a matter of 1/2 hour. So that's what we do. Other days I manage to get in a walk, swimming, and fetch. Other days I barely manage to squeeze in making the dogs chase and "hunt" for treats/food and a fetch session. Walks have taken a lower priority since it's not exercise that wears my guys out and fetch, chase, swimming, etc. have gone higher up on the list since I can wear them out much faster and it's something I can do in the backyard while the baby sleeps. Your daughter is close in age to mine so now is really the time where she can be involved with you in exercising the dogs. I take my daughter on all of our walks. And on nice days I bring her out in the yard with us in her jumper/stroller/large blanket and let her outside to enjoy the weather under a big umbrella while I let the dogs run.

Having a tired dog also makes interactions between the baby and the dogs MUCH easier. Lily (my older pup) is very gentle with the baby and usually will get up to move out of the baby's way and is always mindful of where the baby is. The pup is great when he's tired, but he's a clumsy goofball puppy that I still have to remind he has 2 front feet and 2 back feet and a long tail! My daughter is NEVER left alone with the dogs, no matter how good they can be with her, but I do allow them to interact. I supervise and am there every step when she is on the ground and they are around...but if they aren't around her, they can't learn HOW to be around her. I've also taught (and am still teaching) commands such as settle, not around the baby, move, etc. I take the stance of allowing interactions but when I give a command, you better do it and fast or you'll be removed from the room/put in your crate/etc. and since it's fun to be around me and the baby, the dogs are pretty compliant.

Some days I do need a mommy time out after baby's gone to bed, but in general I find that if I make the effort to make time for baby AND dogs (since it was my choice to have both), life goes easier and everyone is much happier. I don't want to be stressed and angry at the dogs all the time since I don't want to teach my daughter that, so I make an effort to do things that set life and the dogs up to be good.

Don't feel like you're the only one though. Some days are just hard. But then there will be days where I feel so blessed to have the family I do.

[trudy]

well a stroller and two leads and a sunny day are all you need. Then go for a long walk, dogs heeling, either side by side or one on each side. Stop their pulling and walk quickly, tehn when all settles into a comfortable walk stop and pet the dogs then continue, Look into their eyes and give them a treat for a sit. Reconnect and relax. They want the baby to be part of the pack and they definitely want your love. Remember these dogs will die for this child, they will protect the family and give nothing but love, include them and the benefits will quickly multiply. The dogs need one on one time so sign up for a class, maybe agility and you and your husband go and hire a sitter, a couple hours away will relax you and running with them will be fun.

I promise, give your self a break and all will work out, most of us have or have already raised our kids and with dogs

[onyx'girl]

Congrats on your new baby Spiritsmom! You do have your hands full

[Lilie]

I've been there...back in the day. I promise it does get better! Remember your pups will pick up on your feelings and might come up with some adverse reactions due to your strained relationship with them.

Please, don't feel guilty about it. What you are feeling is very normal. Your relationship with your dogs won't be the way it was before your baby, but that doesn't mean it can't be a stronger relationship within the entire family.

I had a female GSD before I was married and still had her after my daughter was born. When I first brought my daughter home, my GSD spent a lot of time outside. It was just easier for me as I had to sleep when I could, and couldn't keep my eye on my GSD & baby 24/7. But as motherhood started to sink in, and I realized that if the 'binky' fell on the floor I didn't have to jump up and steralize it again, life got easier - and my GSD spent more time with the family again. She forgave me and loved my daughter. I spent more time keeping the baby out of the dog food, then I did keeping the dog out of the baby food!

I never took the dog's kind nature for granted, and made sure I made some time for her. And nothing stops a crying baby faster then a dog chasing a ball. Don't know why...but many a night I sat in the living room with a crying baby, throwing a ball to a dog....

Good luck, and try not to be so hard on your self!

[GSDolch]

What you are feeling is NORMAL first off. Up until recently (my youngest turns a year on sat. and then my youngest son is 2) Buddy, my terrier mix...well, lets just say I love him so very much, but some days were harder than others. For awhile I kept him gated off in the kitchen, or the bedroom. Even now I will do so at times.

You are a new mom (even if you have older kids, you a "new" mom all over again) and with that comes all the emotions, your life being turned upside down,hormones trying to get back to normal...well, its alot to deal with.

Some things take time..and its different for different people. Myself personally, I dont see a need to push dogs and kids together, its only been nine months, its not something that you want to rush, more so if YOU aren't ready.

One thing that I always did was to make sure that I associated good happy things with baby. Belly rubs, treats, lovin's... I also make sure that I set the ground rules early. No rough housing around baby. I would sit in the floor, the the baby in my lap and if they started acting up, they would be removed for a few moments. I taught them the settle down command and that seemed to work for us. Took some time and you may need to just find your niche. Try to set some time for just them to work on training and the like also.

I know it can be hard, with all four of mine, if they were sleeping, I wanted to be to! lol

[Dainerra]

Originally Posted by Lilie

But as motherhood started to sink in, and I realized that if the 'binky' fell on the floor I didn't have to jump up and steralize it again, life got easier -
!

lol I think everyone goes through that.. of course, I didn't as much as I'm 16 years older than my youngest brother so I was well versed in the idea that dirt won't hurt babies!

when my oldest was born, I was living with my in-laws who had a GSD named Jess (first one I'd ever met). Jess had been an outside dog her entire life and never around babies as DH and his sister were older when they got her. Well, she was the most protective of that baby! She would lay under the windows of whichever room the baby was in. If we were out on the deck, she would lay at DD's side. If the baby whimpered she would check on her.

When we got Rayden, my youngest was 3. He has been protective of the kids practically since the day we brought him home.

The dogs WILL pick up on your apprehension though. If you act nervous and upset, they will think that the baby is something to be unsure of. Be happy and confident when you have the baby. Just let the dogs be a part of everyday life like they were. Pet and give treats while holding the baby. If they act up just a simple "AHH AHH Gentle" they will quickly learn.
Otherwise, you run the risk of having a suddenly mobile baby and 2 BIG dogs that have no idea how to react to it!

[hethir]

OK, it's been almost 3 months and I just remembered that I posted this question on here!!! Sorry for no response, guys!

I wanted to let you know that I soooo appreciate your responses! I do need to reconnect with the dogs and take pride in them. I especially like the idea of hiring a sitter and taking more classes with them. It could be like date night for my hubby and I! We used to love going to training classes together. We went camping over memorial day weekend and brought out PB male (Our female is a serious wanderer and let's just say that camping with an 11 month old is hard enough without having to constant track down the family's whole pack o' dogs in the wilderness). He showed some definate signs of understimulation the first day. Can't say I was shocked! My hubby and friends played catch the football for probably 2 hours and by the end Clutch was EXHAUSTED! It lasted until yesterday and was lovely! I forgot what an awesome dog he could be. Now we need to keep up on it!

Trudy, thank you for the reminder that my dogs would die for my child! That's awesome encouragement and something I know will stick in the back of my mind and motivate me :-)

Stevenzachsmom, I wanted to let you know that the dogs are always around the baby. I just didn't know what a good protocol (sp?) would be and what others do. Oh! And what to watch out for!

My MIL who has bred and raised Shepherds for decades seems to be very overcautious about any interaction while my hubby is very lax about the baby taking a bone right out of the dog's mouth while he watches from across the room, for instance. Everytime Jericho's climbing on either dog I hear my MIL say, "you can never trust any dog 100%. It would be so easy for the dog to bite him in the face and then it would be all over." EEP!

I just needed some examples of what others have done. A typical day conists of both dogs always in the same room as us and Jericho climbing all over them :-) Jericho just this AM managed to sneak over and take Posi's bone (I never let that happen on accident) and get into the food while Clutch was eating. Both dogs backed off respectfully. Awesome!

Also, no, I would never push an older child to the side but dogs and children are hardly comparable, IMO!! Your response was full of blunt but very true truths (haha) but that one made me feel judged. When you feel as though you're barely staying above water you do what you have to to survive. I've had kind of a difficult time adjusting to motherhood (PPD) and while the way things are with the dogs is not ideal or even right, the last thing that will encourage me is even more guilty feelings.

I do appreciate your response, as well as your well wishes, though! Thank you!

Thank you guys, really!