My husband wanted a doxie, so we got a 9 wk. old girl. My 2 dogs (from before we were married) are a staff. bull terrier fem. and a great dane/pit male, both around 2 y.o. and ever since we got this dang puppy they've been pissing & sh*tting in the floor, and on our stuff, in the corners, in the middle of the floor. Our stuff has been moved to Ga. for when he gets out of the Army, so we have no kennels, and we can't afford 2 more, that would be pointless. We will take them out and they'll hold it till they come in. I am pretty dang sure this is because of jealousy towards the puppy, and it's more the fem. than my big boy. But I'm also prego, and I can't help but wonder what they'll do when I can't pay attention to them cause of the baby?! I told my husband if it doesn't clear up in 2 weeks she's gone. I've had her for 2 years, but it's not worth my kids, you know? any advice? HELP??? I don't want to get rid of her, she's my little baby girl, and I love her so much, but I just don't know what else to do. PLEASE HELP ME HELP MY DOGS!!!!

Originally Posted by CArnold40

Now, I know nothing else to do but leave her outside all day (the condo association frowns on that if they find out)...and I've NEVER wanted to make my dog feel unwelcome in her own home.

I'm really at my wit’s end with her. I'm TRYING to contain my anger. I've gotten to a point where I'm considering getting rid of her. And that thought makes me even angrier with her...only because I love her so much. It's to the point that I get home & see what she's done, and I can't even be nice to her...because I want...I NEED her to know she's done something wrong. This is really starting to make me feel disconnected from her.

ANY advice anyone can lend on this is much appreciated. I'm desperate!

Thank you,
Carnold40

This quote says exactly how I feel right now. I love my dogs so much and all I wanted was to have a happy family with 2 kids and plenty of animals to play with. They never did this when we got our cats or bunny, so what's the deal? I'm @ the point of pulling my hair out.

I believe you hit the nail right on the head, they are jealous of the new little one. I would suggest contacting a professional trainer, as this is a behavior that can be fixed, but only if you are willing to make the commitment. I don't know how long you have left in your pregnancy, but I would suggest taking care of the problem now so when the new baby comes, there won't be as big a problem. Good luck!

I agree with LadyA. While these issues can be controlled, you should get the help of a professional to help you out, as it will probably take an initial consultation a some follow-up visits.

Instead of a trainer, I would probably look for an animal behavior specialist. Some trainers are also behavior specialists, but there are some that will try to solve the problem without truly understanding why it is happening in the first place. Check with your local animal shelter (SPCAs, Humane Society, etc.) to see if they have one on staff (it's usually a little cheaper that way) or if they can recommend someone. Where I volunteer, it's a free service they offer but appreciate donations.

if she can't afford 2 new crates for them it is very doubtful she can afford a behavorist or any sort of training.

under these circumstances - seems like a pretty bad time to get a puppy. husband doesn't have to be there to deal with it. how are you going to housebreak & walk it appropriately with an infant? this is the one that should go. have you checked your contract to see if you have to take her back there to the breeder?

Originally Posted by suebgone

if she can't afford 2 new crates for them it is very doubtful she can afford a behavorist or any sort of training.

I mentioned in my post that the place I volunteer at (a well-known facility that even has it's own nationally broadcast TV series) has it as a free service. Donations are appreciated but not necessary. Just trying to help by giving a starting point if she doesn't want to give up her dog.

if she can't afford 2 new crates for them it is very doubtful she can afford a behavorist or any sort of training.

* not exactly what I meant.*


Our stuff has been moved to Ga. for when he gets out of the Army, so we have no kennels, and we can't afford 2 more,**BECAUSE** that would be pointless, considering we have to drive ourselves to Ga. and then we will have 4 kennels instead of 2, which is retarded.

My husband is the one who takes care of the doxie, as it is, of course *HIS* dog. he gets 3 breaks from work every day, so he is able to. He actually doesn't want me to mess with her because he wants her to bond with him, which is understandable. My dogs don't listen to him at all. I just really don't want to contact a pro- trainer if there's a way I can do it myself for cheaper (or free: ). I'm a cheap ass, so sue me! I just want all of us to get along, you know? Does anyone have kids, and if so, how did you go about introducing your dogs to the baby/ies? because the dogs love kids, I don't think it would be too big of a deal if I go about it the right way. I just need to know how to go about it, you see?

I have two children, and I had three dogs before I had my first child. We just brought the baby home, and let the dogs sniff her at first, to get used to the new smell. I have heard of people bringing a baby blanket that the baby has been wrapped in at the hospital home to the dogs so they can smell the blanket before the baby comes, but I've never done that. The big thing is just to keep an eye on the dogs when they get anywhere near the new baby, and don't leave them together in the same room alone, but I always made sure that when I was holding the baby, I would pet whomever came over to see her, also. I tried to keep them involved, kind of like what we do with older siblings when a new baby comes along...but of course, a little different. If they like children already, then it should be just a matter of time for them to accept the new baby, just make sure that the dogs don't feel ignored, try to spend some time with them when you can, even if it's just sitting on the couch together (if you allow them to do that) Just let them know they are still loved. When I brought my daughter home, my beagle, who was my baby first, didn't want to have anything to do with her, and I had to keep them apart for a while, until my daughter was able to understand not to touch the dog, but as they grew up together, the dog learned to tolerate, and then accept the new addition. Good luck!

Originally Posted by suebgone

if she can't afford 2 new crates for them it is very doubtful she can afford a behavorist or any sort of training.

under these circumstances - seems like a pretty bad time to get a puppy. husband doesn't have to be there to deal with it. how are you going to housebreak & walk it appropriately with an infant? this is the one that should go. have you checked your contract to see if you have to take her back there to the breeder?

I disagree. You wouldn't get rid of a new baby if the older children didn't like it. I think that if they are willing to work at it, the new pup can become a wonderful new addition. It all depends on how much you want to keep the puppy. I don't think that it is necessary for the pup to be returned, just needs a little time for everyone to get used to each other.

I do agree with LadyA

see now that's what I figured, and you've got to be an idiot to leave any dog alone with a baby in the first place, I knew some crazy woman that got her kids taken away because her husky mauled her 9 mo. old daughter while she was outside(dumbass). Actually, the dogs have gotten quite used to the puppy. my pit has started playing with her but my big boy (as usual) is still afraid to go near her cause he's a big fat sissy pants. I really think the baby blanket idea is a good one, and I do let my pupples on the couch, so that would be nice for them. I'm just afraid that I'm going to look away, just for a second, and the dogs will have the baby in their mouth!! I know this is a pretty unfounded worry, but I just can't help thinking my dogs are like that, even though their not. I don't know if this is my hormones or what! but anyways, Thanx for all the advice, and feel free to add more if you'd like, I'm sure people need to know how to introduce their dogs to their kids all the time.

It is completely normal to worry about your baby...you will be for the rest of your life! (smile) But to avoid the dog having the "baby in his/her mouth when you turn away, just make sure that you keep the baby in a playpen, or some other piece of furniture that the dog can't get into. My oldest never wanted to be put down unless she was sleeping, so in order for me to be able to do anything, I had to get a little "front pack" to carry her around in so my hands would be free to do other things. Glad to hear that things are getting better with the new pup and the "older siblings", and I'm sure that they will get along well with the new baby, too.

but I am just wondering if I'm the only person who heard that story about the pit bulls that tipped that one baby's crib over? is there any way I can weigh down the crib with? I can't put rocks in there, that wouldn't be very comfortable for the baby.

Originally Posted by LadyA

I disagree. You wouldn't get rid of a new baby if the older children didn't like it. I think that if they are willing to work at it, the new pup can become a wonderful new addition. It all depends on how much you want to keep the puppy. I don't think that it is necessary for the pup to be returned, just needs a little time for everyone to get used to each other.

I guess that is right...it is unfair to the pup to be returned...
give a time to everyone to get used each other...

I think that maybe you are worrying a little too much. The average dog is not going to go to such extremes just to get to the baby, and you won't leave your baby in a room alone with the dogs anyway. Just get a baby gate to go in the baby's doorway, that way you can hear the baby if needed, and the dog will have to really have to work at getting near the baby, which won't be worth the time, I am sure. It sounds like this is your first child, and all your worries are natural, just don't let them overwhelm you. Try to enjoy the time you have being pregnant, and having only the dogs as children for as long as you can...because sleepless nights and cold food is coming fast...but it is definately worth it!!! Keep smiling, and try a cup of herbal tea...and enjoy the life growing inside! (smile)

My mum would never bring a baby into the house without an intro to the dog.. the dog was always the 1st to see the baby letting the dog sniff and when the dog was happy he would go lay down,, i have 14 neices and nephews, and have always had dogs.