[daviesjv]

My DH and I are expecting our first baby in a couple of months (very exciting). We are going to co-sleep with her for at least the first six months as I believe that is the most natural and best way for her to feel safe and to bond with us. However it does raise one small problem in that our beloved family dog also sleeps on our bed – what should I do?

She’s a Labrador and is the most placid dog you could imagine. We have had her since she was a puppy and she has slept on our bed ever since (she’s eight now). She is pretty pampered, I guess you could say that she’s like our first child. And I don’t think she would take kindly to being kicked off the bed at this stage of her life (even if I wanted to do that, which I don’t). She will probably have enough difficulty adjusting to the increased competition for our attention as it is!

She sleeps at the bottom of the bed, nowhere near the pillows, so is there any real problem in co-sleeping with our new baby and our beloved dog?

Tanja.

Hi Tanja.

I have to say, as soon as you mention baby and dog together my mind flashes to those heartrending stories you read in the news now and then about babies and toddler mauled by family pets. It’s a bit like ocean swimming and sharks – I know that realistically problems don’t happen that often, but it’s still in my mind.

To help you out I have asked Dr Mark Lawrie, president of the Australian Veterinary Association for some advice.

“It can be a rather tricky one when there is a baby involved,” says Dr Lawrie. “With any child under the age of ten, care must be taken that risk is minimised by dogs never being alone unsupervised with children (even if the risk is low). So that would make it awkward to always be getting your dog off the bed and out of the room when the baby is there and you are not.

Sadly for your Labrador, it is really worth considering a change in sleeping arrangements. Even old dogs are amenable to new tricks (sleeping habits) but it may take a little training. Get a nice basket bed to go on the ground and start by shifting from bed to corner of the bedroom. Use rewards - Labradors respond very well to food based rewards (surprise, surprise). Once comfortable with her new special bed, consider another room. I would recommend a small room such as a toilet or laundry, rather than large one. Your dog actually may like the “den-like” atmosphere of a more closed-in space. Shift the basket there.
Remember it is all part of a process of adjusting and best to get working on this in pregnancy.”

Tanja, Dr Lawrie reassures you that for adults, co-sleeping with a dog can be considered, provided the dog is clean, healthy and has no fleas. There are very few illnesses that can be passed from a dog to a person. “However, the dog having it’s own bed on the floor or even elsewhere may be a better option, just the same,” he adds. “Some dogs can be more prone to aggression if they spend time in areas of “high esteem” such as elevated places with the leaders of the “family pack.” If there is already some growling in trying to remove from beds, lounges, etc then just leave the lead clipped on to the collar in the house and use this to safely remove the dog (king) from the castle. You will find that it is likely to make for a more pleasant dog.
Of course, you really should talk to your vet for each individual case. They will be able to advise you or steer you in the direction of a veterinary behaviourist if necessary.”

So Tanja, maybe buy a dog bed and start the training process. And a word of encouragement - if your Labrador is anything like my Beagle, she’ll probably soon decide that the peace and quiet of a dog-bed beats sleeping with a noisy baby any day!

[daviesjv]

I would also have to say *Gawd what about all that hair??* Labradors are terrible shedders!!

LOL. Just like our Beagle! I don't know how she manages to shed so much hair and still have a full coat!

[bonnybabe]

I would be worried the dog would think he has an equal position in the family as the baby...

[pinkchutney]

We too had a very pampered pooch that was our baby for nine years, before our long awaited son was born. Although she didn't sleep on our bed (but on her own bed on the floor at the foot of our bed) I seriously never believed that after 9 years she would EVER move out of our room. However - apparently a squawking baby, interrupting her sleep all night long made sleeping in the lounge room much more appealing!!! So I just wanted to say - your dog may make its own decision, and make life much easier for everyone.

Because, as much as my dog was our number one for so many years - I was TOTALLY surprised by my feelings when I brought my baby home from hospital - all of a sudden I found my best mate was a worry to have around my baby - not only because I was paranoid for baby's safety - but also for 'germs'. Yes I never would have believed my dog was grotty - but the feelings you have as a new mum may astound you!

I had also decided before his birth that I loved my dog too much to ever put her in a situation where she was able to do something that would force me to have to put her down. I really feel that as dog lovers - if we REALLY love our animals then we would never allow them to have unsupervised access to baby/kids - just incase their primal instincts kicked in.

I have read a number of books about dog psychology (A Dog's Mind by Bruce Fogle is a good one) that explain how a dog thinks it is higher on the totem pole than a newly arrived, smaller being. So they actually think they are helping you out by assisting in the 'discipline' of the new addition to the pack.

Sorry for long winded reply

[noone special]

Why would you have a dog sleeping in your bed? Feral

[PeptiBandit]

Why would you have a dog sleeping in your bed? Feral

Agreed... Ewww...

[Holidayromp]

Currently your dog may be your fur-baby but as soon as you come home from hospital your baby is going to take priority and unfortunately the dog is going to take a back seat - big time. You will be so protective of your new addition and the thought of having an animal so close to your precious little one would probably put you off. You are probably thinking that it would never happen - but it does. I can name myself as one person - my pets took a back seat in the first year of babies life and it has been a pattern going through the birth of each of my children. I am now pregnant with my third and know for sure that my pet will take a backseat. As your children get older you may find that will have more time for your pets but don't count on your dog being the focus of your attention for awhile after you bring babies home. It is time for you to set some boundaries for your dog and let it know its pecking order in the pack ie the lowest rung. Whilst I was pregnant the pets were put outside. They were given a warm, comfortable bed in the garage and that is where they were fed. They were allowed inside on small occasions and generally weaned off being indoors. The last thing you want is to be cleaning up after an indoor dog as well as a baby. Plus on top of that - your dog doesn't sound like it is used to kids and with labs when they get older they can go from the most placid of animals to a quite agressive animal when dealing with new additions. Also you have to be mindful of feeding indoors when baby is mobile - you don't know if the dog is going to lash out at an inquisitive baby. Plus on top of that if you decide that the dog can be kept inside but sleeping in another room it is not going to be impressed and do you really want to deal with a dog demanding to get into your room at all hours when you are sleep deprived yourself. I would strongly recommend getting the dog used to being outside. Have a nice warm kennel and perhaps a doggy bed under a verandah (if you have one) plenty of doggy toys and a special feeding place. I cannot stress how important that the dog knows its place BEFORE the baby comes home otherwise you are going to set yourself up for all sorts of problems when you bring baby home and your dog is no longer the centre of your world.

[heffalumpsnwoozl...]

Why would you have a dog sleeping in your bed? Feral

Way to add a thoughtful response to the discussion. I think calling your kid Jaedyn is feral.

As PP's have said, your outlook on your dog changes significantly when you bring your baby home. I never thought my dogs would take such a back seat. I still love them to bits but now I know what it's like to love an actual baby, the thought of my dogs as my babies is laughable. And this is from a person who used to cry in movies where an animal got injured but didn't give a toss about people.

Like a PP, I would be more worried about the dog accidentally rolling over on the baby than vicious mauling, although of course that is always a possibility too and should never be overlooked. My dogs never slept on the bed (although DH has been known to invite them up there for a cuddle every now and then) but they always shared our bedroom, and still do. They have their own beds at the end of our bed, and our babies sleep in a cradle in our bedroom until they move into their own room.

OP, do you plan to have your baby sleeping on your bed for day sleeps as well, or will they have a bassinette or similar for when you are not sleeping with them? My worry with a dog that was used to sleeping on the bed is that he/she would still get up there when you weren't looking, which could be really bad if an infant was sleeping there. If it was me, I'd feel safer blocking the dog from the bedroom with a baby gate while baby is asleep in there, or putting baby in a bassinette away from the dog.

Either way, I'd get the dog a comfy bed on the floor and get him/her used to sleeping there right away. I promise, my labradors don't miss out at all by not sleeping on our bed.

[daviesjv]

Holidayromp, I agree with you. It is amazing how your feelings for your family pet change - or not so much change as become re-prioritised - when you bring home your baby. You don't love your pet any less but they do suddenly have a slightly different place within the family.

[Chillax]

I cannot believe anyone would consider keeping a dog in bed with them and their baby. Sorry - just totally gross.