Are you struggling to spend time with your pups while having a newborn? Look, I’m not saying it’s easy by anyyyyy means, but it’s something we committed to.
There are days when I finally get Ryder disk for a nap and the dogs go nuts because someone goes running by our house and it makes me want to scream. There are times when I’m nursing him & the pups need to go out or need water and are whining to let me know, and I have to tell them to wait until I’m done. There are times when I’m nap trapped and can’t rescue the ball that rolled under the couch.
But Josh and I keep reminding either other that they didn’t choose this. I know it sounds funny, but we chose to have pups, then we chose to have a kid. We knew our dogs were high energy pups and still needed to be walked and played with every day. So that’s something that we’ve made a priority. We take them on a walk daily (well josh walks then and I push Ryder). Then most days, josh will also throw the duck with Persy in the yard and I’ll be intentional to give the older pups attention during a nap or when I’m doing tummy time.
Our first date post baby, we chose to stay home and just intentionally cuddle the pups. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying there’s days I think we’re crazy for having 3 dogs and a kid, but I’m here to tell you that they adapt so well to having children around if you can also remember that they were there first and don’t immediately understand the change in roles.
I’m not a dog expert, but my best advice for someone bringing home a baby to pups is to make sure you still take time for them. Make sure to do some of the things you did before. Make sure you take 3 minutes a day to cuddle with them like you used to every day. Take the baby over to the couch they’re on and feed them there so they’re a part of it too. It makes them have a better relationship with both you and the baby.
XOXO,
Hil
hrmarciano 