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Post by dizzi on Apr 23, 2012 2:54:35 GMT -5
Please don't flame me... within the limits of reality we've been doing everything we could to start this off on the right foot but it's not going at all well.
We've just spent a fortnight with our new baby on a various collection of hospital wards as she came 7 weeks prematurely. Spent lots of time fussing the dogs (MIL came to dog-sit so they've had their legs walked off them almost), and they'd had time prepared to get used to spending time behind a baby gate in the kitchen for a long time and things in advance... sent clothes home from the hospital for them to sniff and get used to the smell...
We brought Erin home yesterday and Nancy's going bonkers. Loads of howling like she does when there's a cat outside or something she wants, and she's even tried to jump the baby gate (she never ever ever does this) to get to Erin when she's crying - and crying drives her into an utter utter frenzy of "ooooowwww I want that".
She's had lots of chances to sniff on a lead and muzzled, but she really fixes her gaze on her in a way that makes me feel very uncomfortable - and I don't know what to do. Of course... bringing her home has turned my angel baby into an all-night screamer as well which doesn't help matters either.
I really really don't want this to become either a tragedy or a "dog looked at my baby funny - rehome please" situation - but I'm very very worried by how she's reacting. Other dog - the one I thought would get jealous - isn't fussed at all, curled up on the floor at the foot of her carrycot and went to sleep.
Like I say - please don't flame me. I don't want to give up on Nancy at all - but I don't know how to proceed safely with this - especially since the hospital means all hubby's paternity leave was lost with the time in neo-natal and what-not, so I'm going to have to manage the situation on my own very very very soon when he goes back to work.
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Post by gazer on Apr 23, 2012 3:03:13 GMT -5
Please hang on in there, I have no experience of hounds with new babies but there are people here who have.
Someone will be along soon to help.
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Post by loopylou on Apr 23, 2012 3:28:14 GMT -5
Awww bless you  I can't help as I only have small Grand children but I do know a couple of my dogs were very interested when Georgia was tiny and used to cry.It didn't last for long as she got bigger and the cry changed and became less frequent they settled and are now lovely with her..May be a dog gate rather than an ordinary stair gate for now while you get sorted.I'm sure know one will flame you and I'm sure you will get you good advice. |
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Post by vickyb on Apr 23, 2012 4:01:03 GMT -5
Really sorry, no advice as my dog just accepted Mark but don't feel bad - I know all along you've been determined this would work so I imagine it must feel terrible because it's not going smoothly  I'm sure there'll be someone along soon with some good advice and in the meantime hang in there It must be hard with a tiny baby and hormones surging, lots of and really hope Nancy calms down - and quickly |
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Post by Melanie on Apr 23, 2012 4:15:41 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear this. I can only imagine how stressful this must be for you! I don't have any advice as I've not been in this situation, but I hope someone can help you soon - I'm sure no one will flame you!
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Post by dizzi on Apr 23, 2012 4:21:37 GMT -5
It's just terrifying me how the hell I'm going to manage logistically when there's just me in the house - she's in the lounge with the baby now and is fine - but baby's settled and asleep (why she couldn't do this all night is another story!) and Nancy has a sofa so all's well in her furry little world.
It's the crying and grizzling she's reacting to I think - but it really seems very highly driven when it kicks in (she's never dared jump the kitchen gate before).
I really really don't want to have to trot back to the RGT and do the new baby thing - I hate people who do that, and with Nan's age she'd have no chance - but with Erin being soooooo tiny - I'm terrified enough for her as it all is. It's got me really really distressed to be honest.
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Post by Melanie on Apr 23, 2012 4:28:48 GMT -5
I'm only suggesting a possible tactic, but could you keep a short lead on her (like a traffic one) and if she gets too 'involved' when Erin cries, then just march her out of the room and put her in another until she's settled? Then lead her back in and hold her lead until she's settled? I don't know how practical that is with a new-born around, just an idea. I can only imagine how scary this is for you!
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Post by sassbu on Apr 23, 2012 4:51:02 GMT -5
I'm sure no-one will flame you, what you need is some solid practical advice from those who have been where you are now I'm another one with no experience to offer I'm afraid but I do know there are several members on here who have been through it or have helped someone else through this and will be able to give you the practical and emotional support that you need with this situation, which I'm sure won't last forever but can feel that it is causing you much distress and concern right now. You've done the right thing to start by asking for advice, help and support. Just hang on in until they can get to you, it's morning still and I'm sure they will be along later today And congratulations on Baby Erin  Sarah |
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Post by andywillow on Apr 23, 2012 4:51:49 GMT -5
Sorry I've no advice as my kids were older when we had our first hound but I remember taking Andy with me to the farm and someone arrived with their tiny baby in a car carrying seat, the baby started to cry and Andy went bollistic  It must be worrying for you. I do know someone who had a great dane who also reacted to the baby and she said she literally kept them seperate until the baby had grown a bit and was more human like but I know this is an extreme measure. If things don't settle soon, I'm sure someone will be along with some advice for you, would a short term foster home be a possibility until baby has got a bit bigger? Sorry just thinking out loud, hope you manage to sort something and Nancy settles down soon to her new sister |
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Post by emmajane on Apr 23, 2012 4:53:02 GMT -5
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Post by Lisa on Apr 23, 2012 5:51:48 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2012 5:55:44 GMT -5
Sorry it's not going well at the moment, please don't panic yet it's really early days. Nancy has no idea what it is you have bought home with you, coupled with the fact their lives have been in a muddle the last few weeks with you not being there, a different routine etc & now you have reappeared with something that makes strange noises & is taking all of your attention. I can appreciate how out of your depth you may be feeling the early weeks were hell for me, I had an emergency c-section & felt awful but I had a new baby & 4 hounds to contend with so it was a case of getting on with it, I *had* to. The thing that kept me going was Helen (helen7) said to me always remember that this stage won't last forever (although it feels like it at the time!). I think at the moment you need to concentrate on Erin so just keep Nancy away at this stage, perhaps let her have controlled sniffs when Erin is sleeping. Nancy will get used to her it just takes time, I used to carry Eva around in a sling most of the time so the dogs got used to her & she was safe. I stuck to the dogs routine as much as possible, we walked miles & miles together the fresh air is great for making babies & hounds tired. Please don't worry too much about the situation at the moment, tiredness makes everything seem 100 times worse. Keep Erin safe & just take it day by day  |
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Post by kamkay on Apr 23, 2012 6:24:41 GMT -5
I am sure that no-one on here would even consider flaming you. No advice to offer , but am so sorry that things are so difficult for you at the moment . Is there anyone nearby who could come round and help out a bit? Hope things improve soon - just hang in there ! olibaby.org/uploads/The_below_poem.pdfI hope this link works - it's really lovely poem ; not specific to your situation , but might help a bit. |
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Post by barbaranixon on Apr 23, 2012 6:32:34 GMT -5
Sorry, I can't help, as when I brought home my firstborn, my two springer bitches of whom I was quite wary, gave one sniff and decided hewas boring. However, I do know the near panic of having a tiny baby from SCBU to deal with alone (husband took us home and returned to work, immediately!)
Some dogs react to certain pitches of sound (one of the springers always howled at the Ten O'clock News chimes) and baby's cries do change as they get older, so Erin may develop a cry that won't bother Nancy.
On the topic of remotes : I wonder whether a remotely operated DAP giving Nancy reassurance when the baby cries would help.
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Post by julies on Apr 23, 2012 7:14:59 GMT -5
Sorry I can't offer baby advice but just want to say like the others.. no-one will criticise you and you're doing just the right thing asking for help... Does your MIL still walk the dogs for you? That'd help if she will tire them out .. I wonder if having a selection of Kongs made up so that so when Erin cries you can toss a Kong at each dog so hopefully they connect something nice with the cries and if you put lots of stuff like mashed potato with really high value treats like cheese, chicken, bacon, corned beef it might distract and occupy the dogs.
You must be knackered and worried sick - will your OH help too say prepare the Kongs the night before and freeze them so you're all organised in case baby howls? I'd keep up with introducing the baby smells to the dogs - if she sleeps on a blanket can you drop one on the dogs bed daily changing it so it always smells of her?
I don't have anything to do with cat testing at the RGT but I know that they tell cat owners to always stroke the cat when the greyhound is watching so it understands it's part of its new family - maybe that's another reason why having baby in a sling works?
Good luck,hope the advice works
J xx
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