My wife is 10 weeks pregnant, and we were wondering how to prepare Count Max for the new baby.

We take him over to our friends with their two kids (2 years and 8 months). He has been around the youngest since he was born, and never has bothered him at all (although Jordan tries to give toys to Max).

Max is not people or dog aggressive, and has been in training for a year now. We are just wondering if some of you have tips on what to do.

Congragulations on the new baby! I would also be interested to hear advice on the subject since my DH and I are thinking about trying for a baby this fall.

Even though I don't agree with all of Cesar Millan's training techniques... he had a good episode about this very topic. If I remember correctly, most all of the training occured after the baby arrived. First, some people say that you should bring home a clothing item that smells like the baby before entering the house with the baby. Let Count Max become familiar with the smell.

Second, you have to make sure that the 'order in the house' goes you, baby and then Max - Max can't come before the baby. This can be done by making sure the dog walks in line with the stroller and not in front of, limiting his direct contact with the baby... Cesar even went as far as - the dog wasn't allowed into the baby's room unless invited - he/she had to sit and wait at the door of the baby's room (this particular dog had a problem jumping on people and getting overly excited).

It sounds like you are on the right track if he's already in obedience training and you're exposing him to kids on a regular basis!

We're at 20 weeks pregnant now with our first, and it's amazing how the dogs have already started to make transitional changes on their own - they already sense something is different about me, they stick by my side more, they're more attentive, they won't lay on my stomach, and they watch me more closely. Now, I'm not sure they totally understand what's to come - but I think when the time comes they'll fall right into place in line with the baby. I have no aprehensions about the dogs reacting badley to the new baby.

Congrats to all expecting! Ah, fond memories. Mine kids are six and eleven now. We had a four month old Great Dane when my oldest was born. That dog had to be the sweetest thing on four legs. When I came home from the hospital I greeted Honey and then let her sniff the baby. After that she was only allowed near my daughter if I was holding her. In no time at all she was crawling and Honey would follow her all over the house. My daughter learned to walk pulling up on the dog, Honey would stand very still so not to knock her down. I have adorable pics of my daughter giving this gigantic dog kisses and laying on her while watching tv. At two she would even play this game with the dog, shaking her tail like a hand shake and saying "howdy doody honey bunny" and the dog would turn and put her very slobbery mouth on my daughter's arm and she would squeal and then do it over and over. The dog loved that game, she would stand still forever to play. We sadly lost Honey to cancer at 5. Tuk came when my son was 2 going on 3 and was excellent with him. Tuk would give a nip if my son got too rough, but even as a puppy never broke skin on my son. I agree with the above, if you have the order established you will have no trouble with your Cairn. They are known to be great with kids.

because they sense so much they probably notice the change -Im wondering if you start by leaving bottles diapers etc around the house where they can see different things happening that maybe it will help them adapt also. let them get the scent of the diapers and be firm about it not being theirs-so when they are near the baby they wont try to take those luring scented diapers off the baby-things to that effect is probably something I would do. your all so very lucky to have your own children and fur kids too! cant get any betterthan that!

I only have furkids married ful well knowing my husband didnt want any more ,but had no objection to any pets I have requested....works for me. were still our own little happy family. I use to babysit alot of babies and toddlers when I had scruffy-I just didnt promote too much playing together because sweet as they are a cairn can be quite rough with tender skin. But he always let me know when they woke up from naps ..it was fine -just will take time and patience I dont think anyone will have any major problems as long as you do spend some of your time dedicated to your furkid as well so they dont have any reason to be jealous. luck to you all!

No small children here but I might become a grandma sometime. Therefore I got my Cairn used to children of all sizes and ages and I am glad he does very well. Usually tries to make them play with his ball and doesn

Congrats on the baby! One thing we did was to include our pup (not a cairn at that time) w/ the purchase of new baby items. I'd make sure to bring him home a toy as I decorated the nursery. Include Count Max in everything and let him smell the new items brought into the baby nursery. When the baby is born, take a baby blanket to the hospital and wrap it in your newborn. Then bring the blanket back home to let your pup smell. When the baby finally comes home, pup already has his/her scent.

Thanks for the advice! Our trainer gave me some more ideas today. For instance, get a baby doll a few months before and "Create a new person" in the house. Carry the doll around like you would the baby, and let Max get used to the idea.

We will be bringing the baby stuff around him before hand to make sure he is familar with the smells. But since he is around kids and babies pretty often I don't think that will be a new thing for him.

Congratulations to both of you on soon becoming parents! I was thinking that the different sounds that a baby makes might be something that could upset or startle Max, or might even cause some aggression. Crying will be something new to him, and he might not know what to make of it. Maybe a baby-doll that cries would help accustom him to the sound. Also, I can't forget the terrible video we saw on the Forum of the mixed-breed Cairn that pulled off the tiny baby's diaper and attacked him while the mother slept in her bed with the baby and dog beside her. I know you wouldn't make such a foolish mistake, but I just had to mention it. It sounds like Max is a very well-behaved dog, and I'm sure he will really enjoy the baby. Again, congratulations.