Crumpet, the play pen might not be enough to keep them out. One of our JRs was completely fascinated by our newborn DD, not aggressive at all, but overly interested. She scratched her head and face at six weeks so we learnt the hard way that under no circumstances were the dogs to be in the room with the baby unless one of us was present. We put gates on all the major doorways where DD could be left, so bedroom, lounge room, dining room and kitchen. We only needed three gates because of the house set-up. We also had to get all gates because our JR could jump over the normal sized ones. Turns out she can also jump over the tall one, but didn't bother.

DP did bring home something of DD's to smell, but I'm not sure it made any difference. We were very careful to implement any changes to the dogs' routine months before baby arrived, with the exception of the gates. We put them outside and shut them out a bit more often too, during the day. If baby is going to be sleeping in your room, for eg, I would start putting the dogs to sleep in a different area of the house where they cannot get into your room. We also played the baby crying, but again, I'm not sure it did anything. We introduced them (on leads) outside the house (ie before we walked inside), walked DD inside first and put the dogs outside for a little while, with a bone.

Apart from the scratch at six weeks we haven't had any trouble with the dogs and DD. Once she could sit and crawl both dogs had settled down and DD could do anything to them. They have had a few incidents where her toys were taken, but not for long enough to cause unfixable damage. DD LOVES the dogs to bits and they are both very attached to her now, at 4.5.

PS We asked our vet about tips on introducing our dogs to the new baby when I was pg, she gave us some info and all of the stuff above came from her.
sounds like my jack, she has this obsession with babies, just loves to sniff and sit next ot them..... i see ur point she could fit through the rails in a play pen.
mind u i think she is small to jump very high its a struggle for her to jump on the couch( which she isnt allowed to do but has brain fades here and there!).


thanks for all of ur info!