ladies I need help. I'm 10+4 weeks pregnant. I also have a 7 month old Alsation cross husky. I trust…

I don't have dogs but I was raised around big dogs and my son spends a huge amount of time with my family's dogs. He's spent time with them since he first came home from the hospital, the dogs adore him and as he gets bigger they're getting more playful. It's almost instinct really, they first met him when he was so tiny, they're so gentle with him and seem to understand that small children and babies are treated differently to bigger people. I think a lot of people underestimate the intelligence of dogs. Just introduce the baby slowly and let your dog have a sniff and he'll get used to having a baby around. It'll be wonderful considering your dog is so young, they'll essentially be growing up together x

I've got a Patterdale Terrier and he's a hyper wee thing do I'm quite nervous but I'm just going to do it gradually..e.g. when I come home from the hospital I'll go into the house first then bring the baby in, he is going to be sleeping in my mums room (he currently sleeps in with me and I'm still at home) but just every day let him have a wee sniff of the baby..I read to not change too much of his daily life, still give him alot of attention, make sure he knows you still love him, don't shout or be angry if he does something like jump up at you with the baby in your arms as he can start feeling the baby is taking his place...thankfully my aunty said she would take him for a few weeks/months till the baby is settled in if we need it so we don't have to rehome him as I said it WAS NOT an option...when I was born the same aunty had 3 big dogs and they were all brilliant with me and used to look after me, if I were you I'd just look into seeing if someone could take your dog for a couple of days or even take them a walk during the day so you have time to get settled and not have to worry too much...if the baby arrives and he's violent towards them then maybe you might have to rehome him, but I wouldn't do anything till the baby comes as you've no idea what the dog is going to be like :)! @staci2926 xxx

I don't exactly have any advice but good for you for keeping your pup is say with you being early stages pregnant that your pup will feel more protective over you and bump as you grow more than anything.. I know there's a lot of forums online about this type of thing though x

I'm even planning on getting a pup when the baby is 1 year old! i'd try and raise the dog now very well, like teaching him simple tasks etc. and give him love but not all the time. But that's ridicolous what your MIL said.. "get rid of him" thats just awful def dont listen to her and maybe your oh should talk with her to stop doing this or maybe even you? i said to my MIL that everything me and my fiance decide etc. is no one business (and she knows i'm very stuburn so she never dared to tell me something like that demanding)a good raised dog is never a danger!x

My dog lives lives at my parents (I only moved out last August) she sleeps over at my home though. Although I don't think you can trust any animal to be left alone with a baby I'm sure supervised would be fine. I was brought up with a German Shepherd and my parents said the bond between me and the dog was unbelievable. I definitely think it's the way you bring an animal up not the breed. Xx

I have a newfoundland and my mum has a German shepard and when our baby is born we will be living with my family while we wait for our house (solicitors taking the micky) so they will be introduced as soon as we come home. as long as you dont leave your baby and your pup alone (which I'm sure you won't be doing anyway) there's no problems. if you don't introduce them that's when I think there will be problems but as long as there's attention for both your baby and you puppy you should be fine hun especially if like you say he's well behaved I don't no how people expect you to just give up a puppy or any pet just coz your having a baby they are like family! xx

I told MIL on the phone that we wouldn't get rid of him unless it's a necessity. I'm hoping as he's young he'll adapt to the baby easily. He's so well behaved now but she's not a dog person (she has 9 cats) and I think that's where her issue stems from. I told hubby what she said and he rang her and told her to stop interfering. She's very involved in her daughters life as she's a single mum and therefore helps raise the girls so I think her not having control over our choices is upsetting her. We intend on breastfeeding and having a moses basket both of which she completely disagrees with. We also live in a little village not within walking distance of her so she wants us to move into the town centre. but we're very stubborn and intend on doing everything our way. Our pup doesn't come upstairs and only comes on the sofa if we invite him up which is normally of an evening when we're watching TV after his walk. I had no concern until now she's put doubts in my mind. blimmin woman lol xx

Thanks @summertimebaby16 we had just thought we would set up baby's stuff before hand so he could have his scent on it and sniff around and no not to play with it before baby comes so he's used to that & once baby is born just introducing them straight away. I haven't given it much more thought to b honest. I couldn't give up on him. xx

This is my two year old neice using Simba as a pillow when he was 5 months old. Xx

@beadyeyes93, thank you. I couldn't never get rid of him "just incase". x

that's a good idea @staci2926 so baby will recognise you pups smell too and like you say get used to baby toys a puppy toys. I think that's going to my only problem coz my newfi loves teddies lol he cuddles them and goes to sleep bless him xx

I've been raised around Alsatians and rotties and never been bitten or attacked by them. I also have a cross Alsatian she's 9this year and my oldest is 5. She's very protective of us and has never bitten any of them or hurt them. She's always gone on her bed when they've gotten too much for her or just moved away. I would trust my dog with mine and my kids life. Some people who don't like dogs/animals or don't have them themselves don't understand the amazing bong animals and children can have

My brother has an American Bulldog, they got it when my nephew was only a couple of months old, the dog was the same age. He has been fine and they still have him, he's more like a brother than a pet x

When my kids was born I laid my babies on the floor next to me and got my dog (Tess) over and let her sniff them and look at them. She always nudged their bums when they was dirty and put her nose between their legs when they was wet. They still lay on the floor with her now

I have two Staffie's and theyre amazing with my little girl. My OH bought a blanket home from the hospital with my little girls smell on it so they knew it was her when we went home. They will quite happily sit both sides of her bouncy chair, moses basket and play mat and keep an eye on her. Theyre very, very good :) and even though they're very kissy bouncy dogs, they have never jumped up at me when I'm holding the baby, and theyve never even bothered licking her!

Thank you everyone. you've definitely reassured me. Xx

@staci2926, She sounds tough to deal with :( I don't have dogs, I have two cats and there are getting them used to the idea of a tiny human by showing them the nursery and any new things for the baby. you can get feliway plug ins for dogs, they are expensive but so worth the money will keep the dog calm with all the changes. As long as the baby and dog are never left alone together and his fur is hoovered regularly there is not reason why you should get rid of him! He's a member of your family too! if he shows signs of aggression towards baby then that's a different story buy who is to say that's going to happen! Glad your oh sticks up for you, if she comments again tell her with 9 cats your not comfortable bringing baby round because all that fur is potentially very dangerous!! it's probably because she can boss her daughter around she expects to so the same to you, but you know your pet!! xXx

I've got an Akita puppy who's nearly 7 months and an 19 day old baby and she's calmed down so much since the babies here! She's so protective of her but it's changed her so much!! She sits there watching Ava or running to be by her side if she starts crying!! Dogs adapt to babies!! Xxx

i don't have dogs myself and i personally wouldn't trust my mum's border collie around my daughter, mainly because he is old and can get very jealous. but i do know someone who has an 8 month old and a rottie and the rottie is amazing with her. it depends on the dog and how you treat them. you know your dog best. and as for all the other things she has an opinion on, its none of her business. xx

@mummywarwick, that's exactly what my oh said is that we will bring the baby over but he won't have the cat's around the baby. she has a spare lounge area where the cat's arnt aloud & that's where he says we will take the baby but that's it as he doesn't want the baby near the litter trays or fur all over them.

@ellieee that's great to hear that your puppy has adapted to so well to the baby. I have high hopes for our simba now xx

@staci2926, just make sure your puppy has the same amount of attention or possibly more so they don't feel left out!! They sense your pregnancy aswell so they seem to adapt well to the change! My puppy wouldn't leave my side when I was having contractions before I went to the hospital!! Good luck with it and I hope it goes well for you!! Xx

Thank you @ellieee how old was your pup when you had baby? Xx

She was 6 months old, we thought we were going to have a few problems as everyone kept saying cause of her breed we would but we couldn't of asked for a better dog! Xx

Aw that's great to hear xx