dogs and a new baby

Question
I have two 3 year old Labs, a female chocolate and a male black. Both are fixed. I am pregnant with my first baby and would like to start preparing my dogs for our new arrival. Any suggestions? Thank you for your help.

Answer
Dear Cindy,
Thanks for the wonderful topic. What an exciting time for you and your family! It's great that you are planning ahead. All the instant changes in a household with the arrival of a new baby could upset your canine companions. With a bit of planning, you can prepare for the transition. When is the baby due?

First I would make a behavior priority list. Recognize exactly which behaviors will become most important and practice the most important ones first. If the dogs are relatively untrained, their future as participants in your new and exciting life style is limited.

Here are my observations.
After a baby arrives - If the dog is unruly and untrained, the people begin to resent their dogs. Because of the effort it takes to manage misbehaviors, untrained-but-loved dogs end up being isolated in rooms, then outside in yards, then in garages. Isolating dogs is one of the quickest recipes for behavior problems and over time the isolated dogs are too much trouble and are placed into other homes or shelters.

In contrast - after the baby arrives, well-prepared, trained dogs are incorporated into the new and exciting lifestyle and continue to enjoy a good relationship with the family.

Do the dogs know and obey basic obedience commands, like sit-stay, wait, down-stay, go-to-place, quiet, off, leave-it, walk-on-loose-lead? Simple tasks like getting two excited, non-trained dogs through doorways, or into one space, become frustrating if you must physically lead them. If they pull on walks, it's going to be impossible to handle two pulling dogs and a stroller on walks.

Do they jump up on people or furniture? Jumping -up behavior could become a problem.

Do they bark at noises, trucks, people, or other animals out the windows?.. the vacuum..? ...noises on tv?... the doorbell?.. knocks on the door?..... Do you thing your dogs will bark at the rolling, baby stroller? Barking can become an issue. Address it now, when you have the time.

Schedule change is another factor to consider. To make a smooth transition from today's schedule to the future, "baby is home" schedule, start feeding, walking, exercising, and interacting with your dogs on a schedule that you anticipate once the baby arrives.

Try to give each dog 'quality time' with you - without other distractions. You don't have to spend hours, some dogs do well with just 5-10 minutes a day.  

New odors and new items are very exciting. Things like baby powder, cleaning towels, baby beds, changing tables, diaper pails, diaper bags, strollers, et cetera can all be introduced into the house and your dogs can investigate and explore these items before the baby arrives. Practice 'leave-it' with all the baby stuff.

Prepare for THE DAY you come home with your new baby. Have someone there to babysit and handle your dogs. Introduce your dogs to their new babysitter before THE DAY.

Will you be crating your dogs? If so, are they accustomed to being crated when you are home? Problems arise if we drag out the crates, knock off the dust on THE DAY and we crate our very curious, excited (and stressed) dogs. Re-introduce them to their crates before THE DAY.

Never ever leave your infant alone in a room with any loose pets. Friendly, happy, exuberant pets knock over baby cribs, jump into baby beds, and otherwise make poor choices that might endanger the health of our children.

Cindy, congratulations - thanks for the questions, happy training!
AT