I was just wondering how one introduce your pets to your babies? Having a family is something Hubby and I are talking about, but I am worried that the doggies will be extremely jealous and might bite the baby?

Are there any ways of introducing them to babies? Ciara hates children. Mika did not come into contact with children yet. They jump on the beds and are all over the couches, the house belongs to them. How will they react when boundaries are brought in?? Or should one start now already before one has children (not sure when we will start the family)?

If we were to have a baby I dont want the yorkies to think they are being pushed aside or neglected either?? How can I make them part of the experience so that they will accept the baby? I dont think Ciara will take it well. She had been our baby for 3yrs and is still battling a little with Mika there!!!!

Any advice on this topic?

I understand your worries completely, Val. I'd also love to have children some day, but I don't want my Yorkies to be pushed aside. I've read up on the subject a little, so here's some advice...

Start by making both Ciara and Mika more comfortable with children. Do you have friends with small, obedient children? Have them come over and give treats them to give to the dogs. Show the kids how they should handle the dogs and show the dogs that the kids aren't something to be afraid of. Also try to teach them to be more gentle with kids than they are with adults.

I think the biggest problems with dogs and children are that the dogs are afraid of the kids (if they aren't used to them) and that both kids and dogs don't have the presence of mind to know what is acceptable or not. Dogs are often too rough with kids, treating them like adults. And when they find that the 'person' doesn't have as much strength as they thought, they can become a bit dominant/aggressive.

They recommend that you introduce a life-like baby doll into your house. Treat, carry and talk to it like you would to a baby. It might look like you've gone crazy, so don't let the neighbours see you!! Show the doll to the dogs and show them how they should be reacting to it... politely sniffing is good, but teach them to respect the doll and its space. Basically, the idea is to introduce them to a 'baby' without placing any stress on a real baby.

Thanks for the advice Marilize!!!

I did that aome time ago with a teddy bear and Ciara attacked it the moment I put it down. That scared me. I told her NO in a stern voice, but the momen she could get hold of it, she would bite and shake it. Maybe that was not the best example as they have fury toys of their own.

Maybe I should get a baby doll snd slowly introduce them. Yes, we have kids in the family, but Ciara barks and tries to bite them and they are scared of her. My cousin came over with her 1yr old the beginning of the year and my Dad had him on the lap. In no time Ciara jumped on the couch and I caught her just in time as she was about to jump and bite in his face. I was horrified at this !!! She was used to getting all the attention from al the adults who would visit us and my Dad loves kids and also gives Ciara all the attention when they visit us. She is his baby when they come around. So she is extremely Jealous!!! That made me nervous as to how she would react to us having kids. I dont want to get to the point where we are nasty with her or where she bites the baby!!!

Whos side do you take?? I dont want to get rid of my dogs for anything!

Phew, you're going to have to teach her to be nice to children. I can see why you are worried... I don't think she is mean, just very jealous.

You know what Ciara's needs and behaviors are, so you can be prepared. Do everything in your power to get her used to kids... try the treat thing - it'll help if you keep doing it because Ciara will start associating kids with something positive. Also, when the children are around, give her extra attention. Show her that she isn't going to get any less attention if kids are around. Ask your dad to help...

But if all of this doesn't work, it isn't the end of the world, Val! You would never be able to leave Ciara with the child unsupervised, but you shouldn't do that with any dog, regardless of how long you have known the dog. So, you simply stay vigilant and supervise any encounters between them closely. You can have babies and dogs, it just takes a bit more effort, I think.

You can get a playpen for the baby where she/he can see the dogs and interact with them (and they with her), but they won't be able to get to her and hurt her. By the time they are old enough to be alone together, they will be used to each other.

As I'm writing this, it occurs to me that the major reason why people say that small dogs don't like kids... isn't that small dogs don't like kids. I think it's because having both requires a lot more work to keep them separated while giving everyone enough attention. I mean, where do toddlers play... on the floor. And this puts them in the dog's area. By having a playpen, I think you can manage both kids and dogs.

Russ's Mom's Chihauhau's dont do well with kids especially her long haired one, Tessa. Russ has cousins in JHB so when they come to PE they stay at his house & they are 2 & 4 - Tessa hides under his mom's bed for the first couple days until she starts getting used to them and then starts getting curious and watches them from a distance.
We had a braai one day & the dogs were getting a treat so I took the girls into the bedroom and lifted the night frill and gave tessa the treat and then told the girls to do the same but made them put their hands just under the bed so that Tessa had to come to them. After a little while they managed to get her out from under the bed.
So the treats do help

Thanks for the advice Marilize and Megs!!

I suppose the trick is to introduce them gradually. And maybe I must get them to interact with kids more. Especially Mika while he is still a pup.

This will be a difficult one, but I am sure with persistence it can be done!!!

Got this pic from an email that was sent to me - thought this would be a good thread to share it on

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

OMW........Poor yorkie!!! Ciara would have bitten the baby!!!! That doggie is very patient!!!!

Val, I just thought of something else, each time a child visits you might have to re-introduce them to the dogs especially if its been a long time since the last time the dogs interacted with kids.

I think the idea of setting boundaries and enforcing limits NOW is an excellent one. In particular you want to get the word "no" introduced and respected. Then, whenever there is a new person around the dogs and the Ciara looks like she might misbehave, you can command "no!" and nobody gets bitten.

Puddin' views most commands as suggestions...if I tell her to "come" she ponders a moment and decides if she wants to come or not. But "no" is hardwired...she will stop dead in her tracks if I say it in a thunderous tone of voice. This has kept her away from the pool, a bee's nest and from leaping off furniture, among other things. If she ever appeared aggressive around a child, I am certain a "NO!" from me would stop her mid-chomp!

Thanks for all the advice!!! It will definitely come in handy!! I will have to start practicing with her!!! Ciara can also be quite stubborn at times and she decides when she wants to listen or not!!!!

This owner makes some good points about Yorkies and small children. It doesn't mean it won't work, but some things you should consider because of size.