New baby and a German Sheperd.

Question
Hi my name is Mickey and I have a two year old German Sheperd. FOr two years now she has been the baby but we are expecting a baby in june. I was wondering how to teach her about how to act around the baby. also ways to prepare her for the baby so its not a shock. I dont want her to feel left out or replaced since I love my dog. she is really well behaved and loves people she can be a tad bit protective but usually calms down once she smells the person. She is used to change since my husband is military and she traveled with us in a car from ohio to texas and from texas to nevada. so I have faith she can be trained. also is it possible that she knows i am pregnant? ever since I found out she has became my shadow she will do things that seem like she is "checking on me" when I am in the bath she will come over and sniff me then walk away only to repeat it again if i take long baths. or if i get up at night she fallows me. she never has done this before is she worried?
mickey

Answer
It is difficult to know exactly what goes on in those furry little heads.  I don't know of any scientific study proving a dog can tell when a women, or another dog is pregnant.  On the other hand people frequently report behavior changes such as what you are seeing.  As you can tell, pregnancy has vastly changed your body chemistry.  Dogs are highly attuned to everybody in the household.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  Dogs are still wolves at heart.  Their long association with man has little changed their instinctive behaviors.  The model of a dominate pair producing young and the rest of the pack helping with the care has a long and successful history.  It has served the wolves well for eons.  If you are providing her the strong leadership dogs expect, you should be able to work with her instincts to accept the baby.  Let her be with you as you prepare the nusery.  Treat her much as you would your sister or mother as you prepare a place for the baby.  Share your joy with her, not that it is easy to hide your emotions from your dog.  

Start obedience training if you haven't before, and if so, continue to drill her in her commands.  This also gives her the continuing attention she needs.  Even after the baby comes, it is important she continues to receive attention.  While the baby is nursing, you could use your free hand to scratch her ears. Share the baby with her, letting her snoop it, although you may want to limit how much she licks its face.  

Dogs and babies work well if the parents are the top dogs.  Never the less, be very cautious about leaving them alone together.  The dog is in the final year of developing her personality.  Like teenagers, they may question your authority as they mature.  As the baby grows, it soon will be able to hurt the dog.  Partly, you need to keep a close eye on things to protect the dog.  One of the advantages of a large dog around small children is that they are sturdy enough to take such abuse and enjoy the attention.