Dogs and New Babies

We welcomed our 1st child, a boy named Kellen David on March 18, 2010.  However like so many other young couples we were already parents of a different kind...

Find out how we handled bringing a new baby home to a house with dogs.


Our 2 first children affectionately called "The Girls" were our 1st babies.  They even look like us.  Nala is a runt of the litter boxer with a forgetful personality.  She forgets to get down off the couch 5 minutes after we tell her for example.  Blue is a pit mastiff blend who loves cakes and breads.  She is the original Cake Boss.

We were a bit apprehensive when bringing Kellen home as Blue had shown territorial tendencies toward children before.  Here is how we handled, and continue to handle the transition.

1. We had a family member bring Kellens first worn onesie home while we were still in the hospital.  The girls were allowed to roll on it, smell it, toss it in the air, etc etc.
2. We walk the pack all together as often as possible.  The stroller leads the family unit to let the dogs know who is in charge.
3. When we cannot go all together, my husband takes over the daily dog exercising.  He walked Blue and Nala every day twice a day for at least 30 minutes as soon as we came home from the hospital.
4. We claimed everything that belonged to Kellen as ours, not theirs.  We did this ala Ceasar Milan by stepping in front of the item calmly but with assertion.
5. We held the baby and showed as much love to the girls as possible.  We are preventing jealousy this way. 
6. We never leave Kellen and the girls alone without supervision.  We are careful of his treatment of them as much as their treatment of him.
7. LOVE YOUR PETS AS MUCH AND AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE!!!!