I have always included our dogs (kelpie, jack Russell) where our babys are concerned . When I bought my DD home from the hospital I introduced her to them by letting them smell her and they also licked her feet and legs, similar to what they would do to their own pups. My dogs became quite protective of both my DDs and would always let me know when they were fussy. Sometimes they would get up and run to the bassinet before my DDs made a sound. I have never seen my dogs be aggressive to anyone or any animal, but they are animals after all and I would never leave them alone with a baby.
I think if your dogs are already a big part of your life then that dosnt have to change when a bub enters the family
When I was pregnant I started out doing a lot of what you are doing no couch time, block off the baby's room etc. The couch time wasn't successful but we did manage to keep the dogs out of the room.
We also introduced the baby to the dogs and yes, there was the occassional lick on the face, feet etc and we NEVER left the dogs alone with the baby (tho if I left the room they were likely to follow me and ignore the baby anyway).
18 months on we have 2 dogs that are very patient with DS and interact with him very well. But more importantly we have a child who is very good with the dogs and pats them gently, respects their food, hand feeds them and doesn't take their toys.
We are currently in the same situation. We have a jack russell she is 3 and VERY hyperactive and jealous. I do believe we are going to have a hard time trying to get her to be gentle with bubs when he is born, so we are trying to take steps with her now to settle her.
She used to be able to go into our room but we have completely blocked her out of it. We tried putting her into the garage and she doesnt howl or anything but its way too cold out there for her, even with the blankets! She is allowed on the couch sometimes. Although she sits on it when we are not here anyway but I would never leave a baby there so Im ok with that for now.
The jealously thing is going to be hard to combat for us IMO. She jumps and scratches and howls, its quite bad. But baby will come first and if worse comes to worse we will take her to DP's parents house and slowly introduce her back to us. She just needs to know that baby comes first, and Im hoping it doesnt get too bad!
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