Introductions
Newborn baby and big dog
Marlies
Hi!
It's my first day on the forum, so I'm still finding my way around. I'll be 26 weeks pregnant with our first baby tomorrow. But I'm a bit worried about our dog Mats' reaction. Mats is a male golden retriever who turned 1 in December. He's a very good dog, but extremely enthusiastic. A real cuddly bear who prefers to lie as close to us as possible on the couch. But I'm a bit scared that he'll be too wild with the baby because of all his enthusiasm (seeing me again after a few days away, a new baby). I think I should greet him extensively when I get home and that dad should come in with the baby afterwards. We'll leave the baby in the Maxi-Cosi so he can smell it. And then we'll both have our hands free to calm him down a bit. I've already tried carrying a doll, but that didn't work out.. First he got scratches, but shortly after he had my arm already :s but my partner says he knows a baby is alive and that he needs to be careful, but with all his enthusiasm.. Anybody else have experience with young, enthusiastic pups and maybe some tips? I'm also going to bring clothes from the hospital with dad so Mats can get used to the smell.
Greetings
It's my first day on the forum, so I'm still finding my way around. I'll be 26 weeks pregnant with our first baby tomorrow. But I'm a bit worried about our dog Mats' reaction. Mats is a male golden retriever who turned 1 in December. He's a very good dog, but extremely enthusiastic. A real cuddly bear who prefers to lie as close to us as possible on the couch. But I'm a bit scared that he'll be too wild with the baby because of all his enthusiasm (seeing me again after a few days away, a new baby). I think I should greet him extensively when I get home and that dad should come in with the baby afterwards. We'll leave the baby in the Maxi-Cosi so he can smell it. And then we'll both have our hands free to calm him down a bit. I've already tried carrying a doll, but that didn't work out.. First he got scratches, but shortly after he had my arm already :s but my partner says he knows a baby is alive and that he needs to be careful, but with all his enthusiasm.. Anybody else have experience with young, enthusiastic pups and maybe some tips? I'm also going to bring clothes from the hospital with dad so Mats can get used to the smell.
Greetings
Replies
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kruimel #2
Yes, experience here!
4 weeks ago gave birth and have a 2.5-year-old male boxer in the house.. one really hyper bouncing ball of 45kg, a big guy. And I found it all quite scary!!
As soon as we came home from the hospital (I was only in the hospital for 4 hours, so he didn't miss us for long) my boyfriend carried our daughter in the maxi cosi. I greeted him first and then took Saar out of the maxi cosi and introduced them while I held her. I personally found that safer than in the cosi - that way I could more easily pull her away from him if he started acting crazy. He licked her terribly but kept jumping up on me. Not very nice with those strong big paws. Then we sat down calmly at the dining table and let the dog do his thing. Had to say 1000 times that he needed to stay "down", he kept jumping. We gave him her first hat - full of blood and vernix - which he licked clean (delicious, ahum).
All in all it's going well with the dog and daughter. He's not as calm or careful towards her as I hoped but he accepts her. I can feed her on the couch and he comes to cuddle up with us. Though he often wants to sit on our lap while we hold her and he keeps "nipping" (in a playful way) when he wants attention. I still find that scary, for all I know he'll grab her arm or something. We're trying to teach him not to do this but it's quite difficult. I don't want to scold him too much when Saar is around, I don't want him to associate her with scolding.
Now I can actually just put the maxi cosi on the floor with her in it. He greets her cheerfully but doesn't do anything else.
Now it only gets exciting when she starts crawling later on..
Lots of success with Mats and your baby and a nice pregnancy onwards!!! -
dierenliefde Guest #3
Maxi-Cosi isn't the smartest choice because once a dog bites, it bites, and there's nothing you can do about it. Not that your dog is vicious, but he might just play too rough, and your baby can't handle that.
Have lots of fun with your little one and the dog! You'll surely become best friends.
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