Dogs and Nursery

[AMumma]

Thank you for all the replies. It makes me feel better knowing that others manage.

My dogs are my babies. They are going to love having me home for 12 months lol.

[krystals]

We have a border collie who is an inside/outside dog. She'd previously had the run of the house, so we made the changes before bubba came so she wouldn't associate her limitations being caused by DS! When there's a storm on, she wants to hide under his cot as it must be the best enclosed hidey hole in the house for her. So we introduced her to the shower and now she goes there.

Our concern wasn't the hair so much as her reaction to bubs- she has a part-time 'job' (sounds strange doesn't it?) on a farm and we didn't want her thinking DS was up for grabs, or that she needed to herd him. They interact with each other, she's interested in him, no more, no less but I would never ever leave her alone with him, even though DS thinks she's the most hilarious thing he's ever seen

[NaeNae]

She'd previously had the run of the house, so we made the changes before bubba came so she wouldn't associate her limitations being caused by DS!

I was going to recommend the exact same thing. Admittedly our dogs are outside dogs I NEVER have DD on the ground when they are off as they both come from working lines and my Red Heeler nips (she was partially trained by her previous owner).

I think by getting onto it early and not allowing them access to the nursery is a wise decision. Also set up bouncers etc anything that the bub will go into/onto so that they get use to seeing them and lose interest in them. Have a water spray handy so they learn NOT to touch.

HTH

Nae x

[crumpet]

we have 2 dogs, both short haired but they malt a rediculous amount, and they are trained to stay at the door if im not in Summahs room, if im in there they are allowed in, and in all honestly they come in for 2 seconds sniff around and leave again, there isnt really a great intrest in being in there really.

occasionally if she cries they will go in and see her and come straight out, which im ok with.

i vacum every 2-3 days depending on how much time i have, and im fighting a loosing battle, with 2 malting dogs there is no way ill ever keep the fur out of her room, or away from her in general.

find some rules your happy with, ie dogs sitting at the door and not going in there, and start implementing them now.

i agree with Nae and Krystals, its important to set up things like bouncers and what not early so the dogs get used to them being there and what not.
my DH bought home blankets and clothes when DD was still in hospital and put some in her cot, swing, pram and bouncer so they got used to her smell being on the things we had scattered around the house, now they have little or no intrest in her.
they will sit next to her on the floor if she is laying on her mat, our boxer will sit outside her room occasionally but they really dont bother with her to much... YET!

[Possums]

we have two poodles inside the house...luckily they dont shed fur everywhere...but we are trying to impose some restrictions now (ie where they sleep at night) so they aren't too put out when the baby arrives.

I think a gate is a good idea too.

one concern i have, is that one of our dogs is totally obsessed with all toys/balls etc and I think he will think any baby toys are for him and run off with them!

[misty]

We don't allow any of our animals (cats or dogs) in the room the baby sleeps in. The dogs are actually not allowed in any of the bedrooms regardless, and they are mostly outside dogs. But it is easier to enforce a blanket no animals in the babys sleeping room for all animals, they all pick it up very quickly, and the cats will usually find one of the other rooms instead, until we move let them back in (usually when bubs is big enough to move around properly, about 1yr old). It is about priority and pecking order, and also just safety. Our animals would never intentionally hurt a child, but they are still animals, and I refuse to take the risk without them being supervised, no matter how small the risk may seem.