Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We are cautiously expecting our first little miracle in March 2012. Over-all I think the dogs will be great. Our beagle loves babies and kids, she always has, so there are few worries with her (other than she's a cookie snatcher!). Mina also loves kids, but she's still a bit too rambunctious, so we really need to buckle down on her enthusiasm that tends to send small children flying. Dante also loves kids, but they seem to make him slightly nervous. I don't know if it's the quick movements, or if he's guarded because he's less stable, or what it is. He is also very sensitive about his feet and legs being touched. We can do it (with some fighting sometimes) but I worry about a small child/baby grabbing at feet and legs like they sometimes do. He's never been mean, but he's never been in that situation with a child, so I don't know how he'd re-act.
Any extra pre-cautions anyone can think of/experiences of getting a tripawd ready for the chaos a new human family member is sure to bring? Or even just a nervous dog in general? (I don't know if he's extra careful because he knows he's more likely to get knocked around, or if he's just a nervous pup around kiddos in general)
I hate to jump in here because I have no human little ones, but I think Dante is a little apprehensive with kids because he does know he isn't as stable as his four legged counterparts. Trouble used that to her advantage, she became that much more social. She realized people would adjust for her. That said, I would think Dante will adjust to knowing a baby is in the house and belongs there. He will have several months to accept the new presence before that moving, toddling creature emerges.
Just remember, he will look to you to assure him everything is ok. You are in control – and all will be well.
Congrats to you guys!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Child-free here too, so take our advice for what it's worth, which isn't much...
Why not start confirming your Alpha roles now by introducing baby to the pack early? Make a big deal about bringing a doll home and ensure that Dante knows his place around the little one – like free and clear until he's proved himself. Go about some routines of moving baby in the stroller or car seat and make Dante keep hi distance. It may not have the smell, but it may give him an idea that he is not allowed near the baby until he's proved that all will be well.
More importantly, Congratulations! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, congratulations! How exciting!
Good advice so far, I'll just throw in my two cents. Maybe Dante will surprise you. Tate used to be nervous around toddlers, and he's a nervous dog in general. We had a foster infant with us for a short time, and he was so good! He'd go into the bedroom to check on him - stand way back and stretch his neck forward to sniff for trouble, not get too close. When the baby would cry, he'd hop around like "Do something! Do something! He's not happy! We have to take care of him!" I don't know how he knew this was a special little being, but he did. I guess he picked up on us, and maybe Dante will do the same.
I'd definitely get some expert advice about the touching problem, you want to get that resolved. Maybe someone here has been through it.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Another thought I'll add. Trouble was nervous around little ones too, maybe it is a pittie thing. That said, I had her it Petco one day and a toddler came up to her, looked her straight in the face and started wailing. Trouble never flinched. I calmly led her away from the noise. Trouble really fed off our reactions, if we weren't stressed about a situation, she wasn't either.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
First of all, congratulations! Dante will feed off your reactions around the baby, so if you act nervous, so will he. Before we had our kids, and this is going to sound silly, but we did just what admin suggested. We carried a baby doll around, so that both dogs got used to seeing a doll on our laps, or in our arms, or on the activity mat (set up some of the baby's stuff ahead of time, like the activity mat, the swing, bouncy seat, etc so that Dante gets used to seeing them and moving around them). We even turned the swing on so that the dogs would see it moving and know to walk around it, etc. Then, before I came home from the hospital, I sent my parents home with one of the hats the baby wore in the hospital so that the dogs could smell it and get used to the new smell before we brought each baby home (we did it both times with my son and with my daughter). At the time, we didn't have a tripawd dog, but I would think that some of the same techniques would still work.
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
OH! How wonderful - a new addition! Congrats to you!!
I got nothing. No littles around here. I could make up something that sounds good...
My gut tells me everything will be fine though.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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