Goldendoodle Puppy and Newborn Baby

[Audrey Alegre]

Hello, 

I am 34 weeks pregnant and trying to get our 9 month old puppy Otis ready for the arrival of our newborn baby. Otis should be about 11 months by the time the baby arrives. 

Would love to hear anyones experience with having a newborn baby and a Goldendoodle. I always hear that it's tough to have both a dog and baby. Most dogs are always given up because of this. I really want it to work so would love to hear about anyones experiences positive or negative.

Thank you!

Audrey 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Congratulations on getting Otis and on the soon-to-be birth of your baby. I waited until my oldest child went off to college before I got a dog, so I'm not at all qualified to offer suggestions about introducing your puppy to your baby. I don't mean to be negative, but I became concerned when I read your comment that "Most dogs are always given up because of (the arrival of a baby)." I don't believe that this is the case, and I hope beyond hope that you are not even considering giving away Otis because of the baby. Hopefully, you will be given lots of great information here in this forum, so that having both a puppy and a baby is a harmonious experience. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

In hindsight, I think that my initial response might have come across too strong. I apologize, if it did. Congratulations, again, on becoming a doodle mom and a human mom!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I took in an 8 week old Australian Shepherd pup that needed a home (crazy, I know!!!!!) when my son was 8 weeks old.  While I wouldn't necessarily recommend this, it worked out beautifully because by the time Ryan was mobile, the pup was older and completely familiar with him.  I  will say that being at home, having a doggie door so the pup could go in and out, having lots of space for him to run and play so I didn't have to walk him everyday, and being one smart pup who practically trained himself, helped a lot. When we did walk, I had one stroller and a puppy tethered to me :) But I never considered giving up either one of them. The two grew up inseparable.  Others here can better speak to introducing an adolescent dog and a new baby.  I would try to socialize Otis with other children as much as you can.  During the day Ryan often napped in a playpen in the family room with the pup curled up on the floor on his own blanket next to the playpen.   

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am a grandparent but our granddaughter was with us for weeks at a time when she was tiny.  We purchased a baby corral and put her and her toys inside.  We also bought extensions so that we could make it larger and get inside with her.  Our dogs were not puppies at all but were very curious about the sounds she made.

[Amy and Annabelle]

Congratulations on your new baby. I already had a 1 year old when I brought my first dog home. So the baby came first, not the dog. If I were you I would consult a trainer that can come out to your home. Maybe they have some suggestions for you to prepare Otis for the new baby. Then work with him after the arrival. I'm not sure which would be the better option, having a friend or family member watch Otis at their house the day you bring baby home. Then after baby is brought home, bring Otis home and the baby will be there. Or just bring the baby home with Otis there. That is something I would ask the trainer if you decide to get one.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

My little brother was 10 months old when my parents got me my Bonny (a yellow lab). I helped, but my mom also had to deal with the puppy stage. I asked her how she did it when I brought Orwell home and I was imagining what it would be like to have a baby and a puppy, but she honestly didn't remember. 

She ultimately thinks that she only got through it because she and dad knew that if they took Bonny away from me, life would be worse for them in the long run. :P Which, I can honestly say, would be true. I would have been so upset. That puppy got me through my whole childhood and my early adulthood. I loved Bonny more than anything. 

I think that even though you don't know HOW you are going to do it, you can know that you HAVE to do it, and that will find you a way. I would just keep in the back of your mind that having a dog for your human child is invaluable. Your future child will be much better off having a dog around than not having a dog around. 

[Marty, Kenobi, & Vader]

I have a 5 month old baby, a 2 year old goldendoodle, and a 4 year old beagle mix.  We didn't really do anything special to prepare for the baby.  It's helpful that the dogs know the "leave it" command - both for the baby and the baby's things.  Having an area where the dogs and the baby can easily be separated if you aren't in the room, e.g., when I get in the shower, the dogs go upstairs while the baby is napping in the living room with a baby gate between them.  Other than that, we just try to make the dogs' and the baby's experiences with each other as pleasant as possible, while being closely supervised.  We pet the dogs when they're smelling the baby, and we let them lick the kid a little (try to discourage face licking).  So far, it's going really well.  They seem to love each other, but I imagine there will be some issues to overcome when the kid gets mobile.

[Audrey Alegre]

Thank you for sharing your positive experience! It really helps!

[Marty, Kenobi, & Vader]

Also, if you walk your dog regularly, I highly recommend an infant carrier for walks.  It's a little intimidating to start using it, but it's totally worth it.  I think it's so much easier to handle the dogs on the walk with the baby in a carrier than it is when I'm trying to push a stroller too.

And put the baby's things around the house before the kid's arrival, so the dogs get used to the new things before the new baby arrives.

[Audrey Alegre]

That sounds great. We do have an ergo baby I want to use. Thanks for the advice. It really helps!