[NAGDU] Guide Dogs and Babies

[Bernice Bird]

I'm sure Heather will chime in on this topic also. I worked my guide dog all
through my pregnancy, an carried Heather in a backpack until she was 30
pounds. When she was about 6 months old, I home trained with a new dog, and
a portion of that training was done with her in a back pack. There was no
problem with jealousy or work. 
Heather has always been very close to my dogs while she was growing up. She
was so happy the day my dog decided she was big enough to tug with her.
Before that I would get them tugging, and as soon as I let go, my dog would
let go. I think labs are so great that way. 
Bernice
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Janell via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2021 7:30 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: nellie at culodge.com
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Guide Dogs and Babies

Hello Julie,

I can't speak about having a guide dog when pregnant.  I do know when I was
pregnant my doctor and many guide owners that I knew said:
Before baby gets there, take the dog into the nursery and play with him.
Let him smell the crib/bassinette and give tons of praises Let him smell
blankets and give lots of positive vibes.  Do that several times a day.

Be sure when you get home with baby, you give puppy lots of your undivided
attention, which I know is hard with a new precious one.  Maybe give your
dog lots of new toys so he doesn't feel left out.

HTH, Janell
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Julie McGinnity via
NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2021 5:28 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Guide Dogs and Babies

Hi everyone,

I'm not trying to be cute, though I suppose the subject line is pretty
adorable. My fiance and I are expecting a baby in November, our first baby.
I am, of course, excited and terrified all at once. My current, second, dog
is 9 years old and going relatively strong. He seems unphased by all the
changes that have happened thus far. He is a big yellow labrador who clings
to me pretty fiercely. Although I'm not concerned he will hurt the baby, I
am hoping I can find ways to make the changes easier for him. I just moved,
so we are learning a new area. I am sensitive to his age and want to take
care with him as much as possible.

I have a couple of questions:

Have any of you successfully gone through big transitions with older dogs?

I've heard that some guide dog handlers cannot work their dogs after a
certain point in their pregnancies? Is this common? My dog is large with a
strong pull, but he has slowed down a little bit in the last year, though
nothing I can't or don't want to work with.

Are there ways I should be preparing my dog for baby's arrival? Are there
ways I should introduce him to the baby? Are these questions silly? Lol

I plan on babywearing as much as possible and figure I can do this with a
dog. Are there baby carriers that make working a dog easier?

Ok, I think that's all for now. Thank you so much for any responses.

Julie



--
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; American University Washington College of Law,
JD Candidate 2023

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