Building a Relationship Between Pet and Baby

I have some unusual baby sitters; my horses. To the casual observer it appears dangerous, but if you know them, you know that my 14 month old is in no danger. My more playful Arabian sniffs him and nibbles at his clothes, then allows him to climb up on her legs. My more introverted Hackney Pony typically keeps a suspicious eye on him, but also chases the cows away from him, and if he does happen to end up under her, she stands perfectly still until he is safely away from her.

That article was ridiculous, whoever wrote it clearly doesn't know a thing about it. This can't be a dog owner ???

i agree that you do need to watch your pet but as a long time pet owner you will know how your pet will react to the baby long before baby gets here. so yeah maybe for a couple days you might have to watch your pet closely but most pets adjust quickly.just use common since

my first baby died almost two hours after she was born and since then everytime i gottin prego she has been protective I LOVE YOU COWGIRL UR THE BEST PET EVER

i have a pitbull that adores kids and she has been protective over my the last few times i was prego and her names cowgirl and she is the best pet. she was my six year old nephew dog and he taught her well thank you gary aunt crystal loves u

I do not agree or like any of the information in this article. I don't know the credentials of who wrote it, but they need to do a little more research. Don't leave your dog and baby alone for the first TWO YEARS? Are you kidding me? Also, I don't agree that allowing your dog to lick your newborn is unsanitary- it's not, and it is all part of how canines interact. And, absolutely- dogs feed off the owner's body language and energy- so if you expect a problem, there will be one.

I disagree with most of this like most of you....the leash thing though depends on the dog. My dog is timid and has to be on a leash when visitors are around at least for 30 minutes until he calms down. so he may have to be on a leash for that but any longer will agrivate him so I can't do that.....and as for the putting the baby on the floor...thats just dumb. babies need tummy time so we're what, suppossed to lock up animals until the babies 2...not likely.....

i have a 15 yr old cat who used to sleep with me every night. now since me son was born he sleeps in the closet and so far after 6 1/2 wks he only slept with me last night. i tried these steps but my poor kitty just seems depressed.

Yeah, I think whoever wrote this needs to learn more about animals. My dog has been around my 7 year old who has ADHD and I think a baby would be easier for him to handle. I wouldn't leave him completely alone with the baby, but only because he gets excited and would probably lick the baby too much. I would never put him on a leash to introduce him because he really never has been on a leash and restraining his curiosity is only going to make it worse. Why would they suggest such silly things?

Refusal to eat, or putting a tail between their legs is not a sign of aggression from the animal. That is more a sign that they are scared. You don't want people to misinterpret their dog's refusal to eat as aggression because most people respond to an animals 'aggression' by punishing them, even though you say not to in the article. This would only cause more problems for the dog.

Like most of you, I disagree with the article's suggestion that I "anticipate having to pull [my] dog back" as I believe that will only make her more aggressive. The one thing I do agree with is to be concerned if the dog is growling at the baby... other than that, the article was almost useless.

I disagree with all of it as welll (except for bringing home an item of the baby's). And since when is licking a precursor to biting?

I agree with these two. Animals are going to go off of what you the owner do around the baby. No matter what you do to "Prepare" the two to be around each other accidents are going to happen and there is no way a mother is going to have the time to constantly watch the animal and baby to make sure they get along. I've been told by more than one person that has animals that if you make your animal treat the baby no different than a visitor is treated in the house than you will be fine.

I disagree with the leash and pulling the dog back also. In fact I disagree with most of the suggestions other than the bringing home an item that has been used on the baby. I suggest working with the animals well before birth. try using a toy doll with simple commands such as be nice to baby. with real clothes and diapers.

I disagree with "anticipate having to pull your dog back" from your baby. If you have any knowledge of dog behavior at all, you would know that a dog feeds off your energy, and if you are tense and ready to yank him away from your kid, you are setting the stage for a very nervous and unpredictable reaction from your dog around your newborn.