Dogs & Babies

While dogs do make good companions they do not compare to babies. It actually makes me wonder when people compare their dogs to their children and say that they love them equally. I used to have two wonderful yellow labs. Labs are known for being good pets and wonderful to have around children. When we got pregnant with our first child we realized that we would have to get rid of one of the dogs because finances were tight and our house was getting smaller with each new addition. Even though we loved our dogs, we never once thought about putting the baby up for adoption instead of getting rid of one of our dogs. When we got pregnant again we had to get rid of the other dog. We made sure they went to good homes, but there is no comparison between dogs and children.

All of my animals (1 house cat, 4 barn cats, 4 dogs, 4 horses) are like children to me. The key to not making your dog jealous, especially given that he is a chihuahua, is to make time for him. When the baby is taking a nap, take the time to lavish even a few minutes of attention on him. He will then learn the boundries of when it is appropriate to be on your lap, and that he needs to be accepting of the baby. There are old wives tales galore about how cats are not good to have around babies and how they will smother them, ect. This is just that, an old wives tale, probably started by some old bitty that wanted to be a know it all and see how many people would actually believe her. Often times animals, especially those that are into their "adult" years consider a new baby their property or part of their family unit and become very protective of it. (I saw it first hand, my old cat, Miss Boots, decided that my children were not in fact mine, but hers, and she did not tollerate me raising my voice to them as toddlers, and would smack me for doing so.) Your dog will accept the baby as part of his family unit as long as you provide balance with him. Let him know that you still love him by taking that nap time to give him the cuddle time instead of the baby getting it all!! Just my two cents-

Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl. When I had my first, we didn't have a pet. We got our beagle when my oldest was 2. Our beagle was 3 years old when I had my youngest. She had no problems with the new baby in the house, everytime our daughter cried she ran off to hide somewhere. I only took her outside to potty while she slept. My husband did a lot of playing with her. She actually became really attached to him. When the weather warms up, take the baby for a walk and while doing that, take the doggy for his walk as well. Ignoring him will only make him not happy with you. Also if he becomes a huge neusance, maybe it's time to think about finding him a new family. That's only a last resort choice. In time, your daughter will grow to love him and those two will be so cute together. Plus once she starts to eat finger foods, you will love having him around. Dogs are so much better than having to pick food off the floor every five seconds. I love my little vacuum.

Well you might want to hire a dog sitter b/c I doubt the "newness" of your baby will ever go away :) Besides, babies need more and more attention as they grow through the first year so you are bound to be very busy. Get a kid from your street to come over a few times a week to play with the dog and give him some attention. Kids will do this for like 5$ a week!

Congrats on becoming a mother! It must be surely difficult to give attention to your chinhuahua with the baby. Loving your dog can never be compared with loving your own child and vice versa. So you don't need to worry about that! Enjoy the moments with your baby for the time being.

I think there is distinction between how much you love your pet and how much you love your own child. For me, I love my child because he or she came from me and my own flesh. And maybe if you have a baby, don't throw your dog to other side and give him an attention too.

I think for the safety of the baby, you should find a new home for your dog. I dont trust dogs around babies. My friend has a dog and it is USUALLY really good, but once in a while it nips at the baby. When i am there i always ask her, or do it myself, lock the dog downstairs so it is not around my kid. I dont trust it. I dont want to take the chance of my kid getting bitten, and or disfigured and or hurt, and know that i could have prevented it.

I had a 2 year old doberman when my son was born. At least twice a day, I put a dog biscuit on my son's stomach and then called the dog over for her treat. The dog got some attention, my son learned to enjoy the visitor. The dog saw my son as a treat giving machine (even more so after he started feeding himself). There was no jealousy on the dogs part. By the time my son was 6 months old, the dog was always by her side. My son would chew on her ears when he was teething, her ears would bleed. They were almost inseparable.

Im sure that your dog is jealous. Give it sometime. But make sure you keep an eye on the dog around the baby. Ive heard stories about animals getting jealous. Im not saying your dog will do anything but it doesnt hurt to keep an extra eye out. Congrats on the new baby!

My dog Bocephus has always been my baby, I just love him. When my son was born, Bo and my other dogs started to get less and less attention, I felt bad, but I also think that they understood. Pretty soon your chihuahua will want to interact with you and baby, and they you can pay attention to them both at the same time. Your dog will grow attached to your baby and then you will feel like the one getting left out. My dogs hardly pay any attention to me unless they want out or are hungry. My son has their attention most of the time. LOL

My cats won't ever be cats. My dogs won't ever be dogs. My horses won't ever be horses. But then again, no wonder I don't have kids. I could never put a kid ahead of my furkids. Congrats on the baby though.

I mean to also say that if you can afford it, the suggestion to hire a pet sitter or even some neighborhood kids (IF they are mature enough and IF your dog is used to children and very, very good with them, or you will have to take time to supervise!) would be a good idea, to give your dog a nice long walk, let him have fresh air, and spend his time with you for now, napping close to you. Eventually, you will find you and the baby and the dog can all enjoy long walks together.

Congratulations! It is important that your chihuahua be included as part of the family still, but always the lowest position. Especially with chihuahuas, since they tend to be jealous and overprotective at times, if not receiving proper guidance and training. What you are experiencing is very normal! All new mothers pretty much focus only on the baby, and even their husbands often feel left out, much less the dog! The "new" won't wear off the baby, but it is common for new, first time moms to feel overwhelmed by pretty much everything! It's being new to motherhood, hormones going haywire, and just thinking of this great responsibility you've been given. But even tho the new won't wear off, you will become better at handling the baby and the rest of your life. And I dare say there will be times when a few moments of your dog's attention will be a lifesaver for you! Try to make time at least a couple of times a day, for just a few minutes each time, for you, the dog, and the baby to interact together. Let the dog come with you if the baby wakes up and cries - "Let's go see about our baby!", just including the dog by talking to him and inviting him to come with you, even tho you don't pet or play with him, will make him feel happy. He won't know what you are saying but he will know you are talking to him, and that the baby actually means you call him to come with you more often -- you never call him to come "help" you with the laundry or dishes, right? But the baby is a new leader over the dog -- the dog doesn't lead or boss the baby. Give it time, and try to be creative in the meantime about including the dog. It will all become normal as you get used to your new role. I love my daughter more than anyone. But my animals are still "like" children to me. They are not my children, and they are not equal to my daughter. But they are like children, and having to choose one to give up, would be like having to choose which child to give up.

I never had a baby before so I can't comment about that. But probably your pooch is being a nuisance to gain attention. So just find time to still baby your chihuahua as someone suggested when your human baby is sleeping. They both your babies as far as I'm concerned.

don't worry gabbyanne :D you chihuahua will understand.

isn't it funny how a babe of our own flesh and blood can alter our perceptions and priorities so much? a good thing too, or our little ones would be left out of the necessities for thriving. no wonder we are so enamored by these precious progeny of ours.