But a real baby is coming my way. I am freakin' stoked. Maybe off topic, but not really. I am currently trying to figure out how to introduce the creatures to the new baby. Hmmm.

Congrats... its the most amazing adventure you could take...

This is from a mom of a 6 month old girl...

Jenn

Buckle your seatbelt, and hang on for the ride of your life....
(as long as you realize you are no longer in control, just sit back and enjoy the ride)
Congratulations....

But a real baby is coming my way. I am freakin' stoked. Maybe off topic, but not really. I am currently trying to figure out how to introduce the creatures to the new baby. Hmmm.
Congratz...:D Your dog(s) will take your lead usually as to how to interact with a baby. Show good example and all will be well...:cool:

Congratz...:D Your dog(s) will take your lead usually as to how to interact with a baby. Show good example and all will be well...:cool:

I couldn't agree with you more. Well said and so true.
j

Congrats-if you have any specific questions, let me know, I'm a veterinarian and deal with this question all the time....

We have three dogs and just had our first son. When we brought him home, two didnt care one way or the other and the third - which was my baby before the real kid was born is now his protector. I think it helped that my husband brought home the baby's hat which he wore in the hospital before we brought him home.

When baby came home, we introduced him to all the dogs shortly after we entered the house and we were fine since then. The other great thing is that the baby is used to hearing the dogs bark from when he was in the womb!!

Congrats-if you have any specific questions, let me know, I'm a veterinarian and deal with this question all the time....

I worry most about our pointer/lab. He is not stable. He was a rescue and we got him when he was about 2. He was underweight, abused (he is still a bit jumpy . . .well alot jumpy with men and strangers and other dogs, etc). We have since put the weight on him, but he is still very defensive, I guess. We have had him about three years, and I just don't trust him. My wife thinks he ****s gold and walks on water, but to me he is too much of a liability to our child.

I don't know what advice you can offer without seeing the dog, but I need to either talk her into finding a new home for him, or find a way to calm him down. He does not try to defy me, so I am not sure it's a dominance issue. He is just really jumpy. I am afraid he would attack a baby if it were to startle him.

Congrats!

Is there a local trainer or behaviorist you can talk to about your pointer/lab?

Our Akita/Rotti mix (Buddy)does well w/ our son (Bear).

He don't get along well w/ other animals (seems very protective/defensive) but seems to accept the babyBear as a member of the family.

Leading by example seems great....

Some things we did that I think helped:

1. Set up the toys,crib,swing, etc so Buddy could get used to the stupid music sounds/bell/lights and movements. (This helped us out a bit too, 'cause all that annoying assembly of baby stuff was already done)

2.Brought home clothes & baby blankets from the hospital. I let the dog smell 'em and then put 'em on the crib, couch, and bed.

3. We let the dog sniff & lick the baby right away.

4. We tried to make sure that no matter how busy we were w/ the baby the dog still got a bunch of attention and affection.

Good luck.

Will

Thanks, man. I dunno, though. Sometimes you have to trust your gut. 2 of the three dogs are going to be great, I know it. Coco is just not balanced. He is not predictable at all.

I will definitely do all of those things, but I still may be finding a new home for Coke.