Thinking about adopting a child & wondering....

mandyjac18

If anyone has experience with bringing a human kid into a family with two furkids. Obviously there is nothing that will make me give up my furkids I just want to make it an easier transition for them and I know it's similar to bringing home a baby but I feel that the furkids are there to see the transition and understand a bit better what is happening, plus we are looking at adopting more a toddler aged child who may already be on their feet which changes things. We also don't have any friends or family who have young children for them to be around (though I know for sure one of our dogs loves, loves, loves children and the other is just perfect with people but generally just ignores kids). So other than having a trainer come in and help with certain behavioral niceties and manners any other suggestions??? Plus I know I am mostly a lurker so any help will be much appreciated.

LinZem

I think you are right- toddlers can be so scary to pets especially being mobile, but clumsy and not necessarily great about respecting pet's boundaries.

I don't have kids, but I think I would make sure the dogs had a place of their own where they could get away and I wouldn't try to force anything if they don't feel comfortable. I would be working on things like NILIF and exposing them to toddlers with positive interactions.  I also think it would be great to get a behaviorist involved early on to help guide you.

If having a toddler will change the amount of time you spend with them or change their schedule around I think I might try to change it ahead of time so they can get used to it.

mandyjac18

I guess I am really only worried about our older scottie, Porter and by older I just mean of the two, he is only 3 1/2. Ernest (the younger one) loves everyone and everything and adjusts to everything with ease and would love to have another playmate with sticky fingers and an abundance of crumbs, with a little better manners he would be perfect. Porter on the other hand we call our sensitive flower, he doesn't like change much and he gets along with people but definitely has his few favorites and the others are okay. It took him almost a year to re-adjust after we adopted Ernest (even though he loves him)  so I am looking for an easier way for him. They both have their crates and Porter adores his, and routine isn't too hard to adjust a little this way or that. They are both great dogs, you can do anything to them, grab them while they sleep, pick up food and toys and treats and nothing makes them growl or anything, with everyone. Other than when we are play or they are warning us of (furry) visitors I don't actually think I have heard them growl seriously. I am just afraid of ruining Porter's life I guess lol I know you probably think I am nuts but he was our first born I mean this is something we are looking at doing that will be a couple/few years off but you know I am one of those crazy planners preparers and I want to make sure the whole family is on board. I guess I just need to make friends with someone with a baby and offer to babysit.

HelloSweetie1

As a fellow planner I know exactly how you feel.  I worried how my fur babies would react to my son too, and it has been fine.  They adjust.  Like the pp said, don't force anything.  If the dogs want to become interested in the new addition, then they will, otherwise just let them do their thing (as long as it doesn't entail hurting the little one!).  You will of course have to watch the dogs around the baby, but I imagine you are able to read their body language quite well, and would know right away what their attitude is.  My dog has been great our son, but he's a beagle and they generally are... however we have 3 cats as well, and one of them is unpredictable and moody.  She however, is nicer to our son than she is to us!  The important thing from the start is to assert your dominance and let them know you (and the child) are alpha, then the dog's should learn to behave in a proper manner.  That said however, if we are talking about an older child then they can be taught to give the dogs space if need be, and should be taught to NEVER do anything that you know is guaranteed to irritate them (tail pulling, getting in their face, etc).  It might take time to make things work, but it will be worth it if you want to bring a child into your home.  But one thing I've learned is that I need to go with the flow a bit more... because life ultimately can't be all planned out :-)

jeepsareforgirls

As a fellow Scottie owner, I can definitely understand your concerns about introducing a toddler to the family, especially with this breed. While we don't have children, we have nieces, the youngest of which is 2 and thinks B is great. Bentley does really well with her, but we have learned that giving him his own space away from her during visits is essential. 

Do you currently crate them? If not, I'd look into it. Even if you don't need to shut the door, it gives them a space of their own and should be off limits to your new child. If you don't want to crate, a room or area that can be a "safe zone" for the dogs works too.

One of the biggest problems we have is that because he is smaller than her dog, our niece likes to try to pick him up. This makes him a little snippy, even though he is used to being handled by us. We just make sure to monitor all interactions very carefully and tell her never to do that.

 I think as long as they have some alone time without the toddler around they will be fine. Good luck!  

jeepsareforgirls

Sorry I missed the part where you said they have crates. As long as they always have access to them as a safe place, they should be ok if you're taking care to be involved in all interactions between the dogs and child.