I think the most important thing is to remain consistent with your dog. The stories of dogs reacting badly and inflicting harm on a new baby invariably are traced back to the dog believing that in some way the arrival of the baby has meant a punishment for them (ie when DD1 was born there was a story in the news about a dog that mauled the new baby after it had been on a 'holiday' with the grandparents while the new parents adjusted...for this dog, it was a punishment that it was sent away and relegated to a new pecking order without warning).
Clear boundaries are best instituted while you are pregnant regarding access to baby's room/your bed/couch etc.
Also a good idea to start thinking of the different ways that you will interact with the dog once bubs is here (eg. if they are going to be walked with the pram then have the pram set up early and in the living area so they get used to seeing it and seeing being occasionally moved...good for nervous dogs as well)
sniffing of the clothes of both you and baby is also a brilliant way to have the dog recognise the new smell and not be too shocked when the baby arrives and when you arrive...you will smell different as well especially with the milk coming in...my dog loved it...she became all puppy-like around me ).
In all honesty though most dogs do really well and adjust with very little worry. sometimes the crying can freak them out but after a few days it becomes part of the background noise
We have two dogs, a cairn terroist and a blue heeler. They are both very much indoor lounge lizards. We have a play room with a gate that they can only access when invited. This room was built with the view it would be a babies area so the dogs have rarely been in there.
We did all the clothes smelling stuff and furniture change stuff.
The blue heeler is a total "mum" stresses when "her" baby cries and generally looks at me with disdain if I let little one cry a bit. The terrorist just keeps himself clear and will play a little with DS but just removes himself when things don't suit him. Both dogs are pretty well behaved.
One of tha main things I did do prior to babys arrival was to randomly lock the dogs outside while I was at home. Usually they only went out when we were here. They are now very accepting that if I'd like DS to roam around the house they go out for a bit. I also let them stay in when he roams but I don't leave them in unless I am able to keep 100% of an eye on things.
I believe it doesn't matter how good your dogs are they should never be trusted alone with a kid.
We still walk our dogs much the same but now they go with just one of us in the evening instead of us both. They also get heaps of cuddles and attention in the evenings after DS goes to bed........much like normal.....we always had them for our "down-time" in the evening.
Our girl was 3.5 when DS was born. She was our baby and allowed on the couch, so after we got the all clear at the 12 week scan, she was not allowed on the couch anymore. She has always known "go to your bed" (in the lounge room) and so this was her "safe spot", especially when DS started moving we then taught him he was not allowed near her bed as this is where she went to get away from him pestering her.
Lots of people thought she would get her nose put out when DS was born as she was our baby but we knew she would be fine!! DS and her are now great buddies, DS helps feed her every night and to get her out of the laundry in the morning etc.
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