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I don't really have an answer, but I'd like some thoughts too - I feel like I'm in the same situation as you :) I also have two kinda excitable (at least when people first come over) dogs....40lbs and 50lbs. And, they are both part border collie, but the smaller one really takes after the border collie...

I'm curious about this one as well! I have a hyper little Sheltie - who is also a tad nervous of new things(people, places etc). She's a sweet dog and I'm not concerned that she will be agressive with the baby BUT she is a barker and she does tend to jump on peole when she's excited(she's only 20 pounds though). So my concerns are her being a bit jealous/scared of the new baby, barking and waking up the baby and jumping on me when I'm holding/feeding the baby. Any advice????

Well, our dog is a lab, collie mix. She is about 50 pounds and also gets very excited and barks alot when people come over. For our first DD my hubby did bring hom ea blanket from the hospital that we had the baby wrapped in and let her smell it. She was a little freaked out when we first walked in with the baby, she was actually shaking, it was weird like she knew some how this thing we were bringing in the house was really important. We just let her sit by us and smell the baby. we pet her alot when she would sit by us and the baby and told her that she was a good girl. As for what to do when people come over, I guess if you are expecting them just put the dog outside before they arrive and let them walk out there and say hi to her and pet her, so hopefully she gets a little calmed down and used to them before she comes in. Just take it slow, give the dog praise when it comes by the baby but doesnt bark or jump. Just reprimand it if it does jump up on you when you are holding the baby. Our dog is a female and she is very protective of dd. She has been great, has never bit or nipped at dd. DD is rough with her too and walks and climbs all over her. Also try to have your DH give the dog lots of love and attention the first few days when you get home. He can take her outside for a walk or to play for a while, so she doesnt get jealous. It was really easy for us, our dog didnt really do anything so thats really all the advice I have.

Hi...okay my sister in law was told by her doctor to have her baby's first cap brought home for the dog to smell before the baby came home. The transition for the dog getting to know the baby was pretty easy for them. As for being boarded up, is there anyone that can visit the dogs and bring something of the baby's to the kennel for them to smell..maybe a blanket for them to keep with them during the rest of their stay? And we also will be bringing home our first with two dogs at home as well. Both very excitable when visitors come by...something that has worked for us is getting an empty soda can and putting some pennies in it and closing up the top. Then we simply shake it at them when the start to get loud and excited. They hate the noise and will stop and settle down. They also don't attribute my voice to the scolding...they blame the can...which is funny. I can sit the can down and they growl at it. So, I'm not the bad guy!LOL! And we don't shake it loudly, just a bit and they stop...it works like a charm...just a suggestion. Good luck!

Hmmm... interesting! Do you think it's a bad idea to board them during the hospital/ 1st days? Would it be weird for them to come home and have the baby there? I'm starting to feel guilty about it, already...

No- if thats what you think will work for you then do it. The last thing you need to do is feel guilty about the dog!!! Believe me you will have so much other stuff on your mind. The dog will be fine. It may just take a while. You or your hubby just spend some time with her and give her some attention when she comes home and the baby is sleeping. It should be fine!!!

Hi, I have a 5 month old dd and went through the same thing, I was told to actaully put the dog in boarding for a week and let the baby's scent be everywhere in the house so when you bring the dogs back in they know there is a new "pack leader" We have a dog that is a jealous dog and by doing this it let him know hey you have a new owner not the other way around to where the dog is going to think that it is more important. The dogs will be fine without attention for a while, they need to know that mommy and daddy has something a little more important then them and they need to learn to accept that. I was SCARED poopless about the whole dog baby situation but when you bring the dog home, you hold the baby or dh and let the dog sniff around so it will know. When introducing the dog to the baby make sure both of you are there and try to remain calm. That way if the dog tries to jump the other is there to correct right away. Dont yell at the dog but let it know that it cant do that. I like the whole can thing, lol that is neat. Our dog, which is a rather large dog, now lets dd pull on his ears tail or just poke his nose and I dont worry as much. I am still right there because no matter what never leave a dog and a baby in the same area without someone being there. Good luck and I hope it goes well!

This is kinda off topic but i have 2 cats that i am worried about. Before my baby my 2 cats were my life, so i dont know how to introduce them to the baby and have it go through smoothly. Any body have any advise with a new baby and cats

lol yup have 3 of them. Make sure you start setting out your baby things ie; bouncy, swing and crib and all that stuff so the cats can get use to it. Also to keep them out of it and so they know that they are not allowed in it put sheets of aluminum foil in the things. Cats hate the sound of foil. More then likely the cats will hide for a day or so when you come home and they will want to get acquainted on their terms. I have no problems with my 3. My dd lays on them and pulls their hair and pets them. They are all about her. It takes time so dont expect the cats to like the new addition right away. Good luck!

that is my big fear is to walk in to the babies room and find the cat in the bed with the baby... i dont mind but i have FLUFFY cats and i dont want them to smother the baby. but the hardest part is keep them off of the baby items. i just didnt know if you ran in to them peeing on baby items, or trying to hiss at the baby

no actually i have heard of people having problems with the cats peeing on stuff but none of my boys ever did that. I dont have any problems with them even wanting to be in dd's crib either. they learned right from the start that the crib or any of her items were not theirs. hence the foil in things. it lets them get use to it being there but not able to be in it. just remember when the baby is napping make sure you show them some love. That way they wont get jealous and start peeing on things.

It's great to hear so many experiences with this. Glad the cat side is getting some advice too! We also have a cat, but I guess I'm not worried about him- he'll be fine with the baby I feel. I also like the can with rocks in it idea- I may start trying that especially with my dog- Lola, that jumps on visitors. She gets so excited that she can't control herself- because she is a very smart dog who takes great direction, but that's the one bad thing about her.