Boxer, and a baby coming, kinda concerned.

[Kirby Kirb]

We are expecting our first baby early Jan 2008, and I am a little concerned about Kirby. It's almost as if I feel guilty having a baby, because Kirby is my baby, he is always on my lap, and is my huge suck. I know I baby him too much, but it is very hard not to! I love this dog more then anything, and I am afraid that once the baby comes he will get jelouse. He already has no respect for my growing belly, or just does not seem to notice!! I have to be very careful if I am lying on the bed, because he could pounce on me. He has this thing that is he wants attention he will "paw" me, and his long gangly legs hurt when they whack you!! I keep telling him to be carefull and that there is a baby, and point to my belly.. but he dont care!! I just want everything to work out, I would hate fro him to get a jelouse streak and be mean to the baby once she arrives, but I just don't know!! He does not seem to have a mean bone in his body, unless he has a bone, and the cat walks by..he is very posessive over his bones!! !

So I am just wondering if anyone else experienced this? Any advise or tips?

 

[Indy's mom]

No doubt you wil want Kirby and the new baby to be best buds and they will be! But it's your job to let Kirby know what he role in the household is. This doesn't mean you love him any less, it simply means defining his role, so that he understands what you expect.

You might want to visit the training and behavior forums. I would suggest NILIF as of today. In no way will this mean being mean to Kirby, it simply is a way of letting him know who controls the resources, who decides when it is time to play, where he is allowed to sit, lay, paw etc. Really it's completely natural in the dog world and makes his life much less complicated if those rules are clearly defined. Makes your life easier as well.

I would also suggest that you start getting Kirby used to baby noises, sights and smells in the house as soon as possible. And letting him know they are not his to touch, eat, play with or even approach unless invited by you. Get a doll, hold it, sing to it, croon and talk as you will be the baby. Have Kirby sit next to you on the floor and talk to him at the same time. He will not be jealous if he learns that he will still have a very important role in your life.

Really there are lots of threads in the afore mentioned forums on this. Do a search and you will find more info than you can imagine.

Good luck and congratulation!

 

[catcrazy56]

We are expecting our first baby early Jan 2008, and I am a little concerned about Kirby. It's almost as if I feel guilty having a baby, because Kirby is my baby, he is always on my lap, and is my huge suck. I know I baby him too much, but it is very hard not to! I love this dog more then anything, and I am afraid that once the baby comes he will get jelouse. He already has no respect for my growing belly, or just does not seem to notice!! I have to be very careful if I am lying on the bed, because he could pounce on me. He has this thing that is he wants attention he will "paw" me, and his long gangly legs hurt when they whack you!! I keep telling him to be carefull and that there is a baby, and point to my belly.. but he dont care!! I just want everything to work out, I would hate fro him to get a jelouse streak and be mean to the baby once she arrives, but I just don't know!! He does not seem to have a mean bone in his body, unless he has a bone, and the cat walks by..he is very posessive over his bones!! !

So I am just wondering if anyone else experienced this? Any advise or tips?

Hi Cat haven't heard from you in a long time I am not on as much how was your wedding??? I am sure Kirby will be fine how is Riggs doing is he noticing anything either??? Maybe when the baby comes you make sure you spend extra alone time with Kirby while baby is napping take walks or go to the off leash park or even enroll him in classes. Foreman loves them even though I hate them but with the puppy I found him pining away a bit and he loves the one on one time with me. even though we work and he is in a class with all show dogs he loves it!!!!

 

[Kirby Kirb]

Hi Cat haven't heard from you in a long time I am not on as much how was your wedding??? I am sure Kirby will be fine how is Riggs doing is he noticing anything either??? Maybe when the baby comes you make sure you spend extra alone time with Kirby while baby is napping take walks or go to the off leash park or even enroll him in classes. Foreman loves them even though I hate them but with the puppy I found him pining away a bit and he loves the one on one time with me. even though we work and he is in a class with all show dogs he loves it!!!!

Hi there!

Been so busy latley its been nuts. I pop in here from time to time, but once on maternity leave you will be seeing lots more of me!!! My wedding was amazing, I could not of asked for a better day. Rigg's has kinda noticed I think, he was laying on my lap awhile ago, and just looked out of the corner of his eye, saw my belly, and stood up, and just looked at it like saying "wholy crap when did this happen?"!! It was so funny I laughed so hard!! I am sure Kirby will be fine, he is just my biggest baby, I almost feel bad having a baby! I will have to introduce him to the baby things as we get them, we recieved some clothes from a friend, and they smelt like a baby, so we let him stick his nose in the bin! I will do more research on NILF, it has been awhile since I have read about it!! Thanks for all the advise!

P.S coming to London anytime soon?

 

[Biff]

Congratulations on the new baby.

I can only repeat the advice others have already given you, and there are lots of threads for hints.

Don't worry, relax, everything will be fine :cool:

 

[Austin's Mom]

I think as long as you include Kirby he will be fine with the new baby. Take him with you to change her diaper, have him next to you when you feed her so he doesn't feel left out. Austin was ditched at a sheter because of a new baby, and I feel it was a huge mistake on their part. He is awesome with kids, very protective and gentle.
Good luck and congrats! I'm sure it will all be fine!

 

[K8IE]

I agree with the others, don't stress about it, but do get his training tuned up. NILIF is the best method I believe, it helps the dog to know his place without being "mean" and everything works so much more smoothly when the pack order is in place the way it should be. When our son was born (he is 8 now) and we had two Boxers at the time, we didn't change how things worked around the house, still fed them at the same times, let them out at the same times, etc, so they didn't feel like having a baby in the house changed their whole world.
Congratulations by the way! I am sure Kirby will love his new baby.