[NAGDU] Guide Dogs and Babies

[Cindy Ray]

Julie, congratulations!
I think you have received a lot of good information here. I would think that if you are keeping the dog close and including him, as has been said, it will be fine. You will want to stay close and supervise to make sure all is well. It is a good idea for the dog to be familiar with the nursery I think, and to have the opportunity to smell things that are baby. I am so happy for you.
Cindy


Cindy Lou
Sent from my iPad

> On Jul 13, 2021, at 7:22 PM, Bernice Bird via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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