New baby on the way - how to prepare?

For $15 + shipping, you can order the "Baby on Board" CD from Pawsitive Steps.  Email them at [email=training@pawsitivestepsk9.com]training@pawsitivestepsk9.com[/email]. 
Also, grab this book: "There's a Baby in the House" by Mike Wombacher. You can get it at dogwise.com.
You should really have been thinking about this a lot earlier, so get going - you don't have much time.  []

I jsut had a baby, well my wife did. Here is what we did. first get a crate, and some baby gates. they have helped out 10 fold. then I down loaded babies crying off the net. I started playing them quietly while the dogs were eating, over time turning the volume up. this creates a positive association to the noise. We went for a few walks with the dogs and strollers.
 
then when baby came home. Is stayed outside while my wife wnet and said hi, she had not been home in a few days so the dogs were estatic to see her. then she put all the dogs in another room, one they could see us, but come over. we did that for a couple of days, just so the dogs could get used to seeing and heairng the kid. when I saw the dogs no longer got aroused by his presence i let them in one at a time. I sat and fed them treats. easch dog only got a few minutes. then about the fifth day, we let them in, while momma was outside with baby. again momma came in and said hi, while i took the baby. then i came in with the baby. All the dogs took absolulety no interest in him, which is exactly what i was hoping for.

I read the Mike Wombacher book - it seemed like a lot of basic training to me. Lots of "you are alpha - make it clear". Not so many tips.

Sadie is a well-trained, very obedient shepherd who LOVES kids. I was just thinking of ways to ease the undue stress in her life when she realizes she has to share. I have held friends' babies when they were crying and she sits there looking at me like, "can I help you? Make it stop."

I think downloading the crying baby sounds to play at dinner time is a good idea, thanks. I will try it.

What would you guys recommend if the baby has already been born?  My niece just turned 1 yesterday.  And I'm hearing things from my mother that my sister said that are very upsetting.  Apparently my sister said "I'm getting rid of them" [her two male cairn terriers].  I can't believe she doesn't even email me about whatever problems she's having with them.  One of them growls a little when the baby girl touches him.  I think he growls when she cries too, or gets uneasy.  The other dog is fine, no problems.  They are both rescues. 

Sadie is a well-trained, very obedient shepherd who LOVES kids. I was just thinking of ways to ease the undue stress in her life when she realizes she has to share. I have held friends' babies when they were crying and she sits there looking at me like, "can I help you? Make it stop."

 
I have friends who have trained their dogs to participate in baby activities so that their dogs didn't feel replaced when baby arrived.  They would do things like "go to your spot" during nursing or changing times, teach the dog to put baby toys back in a basket or laundry in a hamper...  things that get the dog heavy rewards when baby is around.  Getting a dog accustomed to walking with a stroller is also a good idea (friends, even with smaller dogs) have expressed to me that this can be difficult for a dog to get used to, even one who doesn't really pull.  This is a great way for everyone to get out together, and get everyone some exercise.  I also agree with the post above about getting the dog used to baby noises, moreso, great idea to do it during feeding/reward times to create a positive association.  Good luck!!

I'm also having a baby - due April.  Since we found out that a baby was on the way we have been quite strict about only giving attention when we instigate it, rather than when they do and limiting cuddles and play each day so that it won't be such an upheaval when the baby arrives and suddenly our attention is largely elsewhere.  We are now aiming to spend quality time with them and being "off limits" to them for parts of the day in another part of the house.  Gates have been absolutely essential.  They have been socialised around kids but only the eldest has really had a great deal of contact with small babies.  We've also acquired recordings of babies crying and played them at gradually increasing volumes during their mealtimes.  They are good walkers and I don't anticipate any problems walking with a pram - but haven't had chance to get them used to this yet as we've only just acquired one and haven't checked whether it will fit in the car yet!

One thing I would like to do but haven't yet found the time for, is to teach them a specific behaviour to carry out each time the baby cries or is lying on the floor being changed.  In my experience having a positive task to carry out helps them to cope with stressful situations. 

So for instance, I could start playing crying-baby noises at random times of day and give a piece of liver cake each time.  When the dog hears the crying-baby and comes to me for the liver cake I c/t and then shape this so that I c/t when the dog (for example) touches my hand with his nose.  This would give him something positive to do each time he hears the baby crying so he doesn't get agitated.  It also alerts me to the fact the baby is crying if I'm, for example, pegging out washing in the garden.  Luckily, they are  ok about noises in general and I think this will be handy rather than essential - and it might be tricky in a multi dog household.

I have started to teach them to lie down in a specific area each time the changing mat comes out.  That way they don't come over to investigate the squirmy noisy thing wriggling on the floor (they don't have huge prey drives but better safe than sorry) and they don't half-inch the dirty nappies either (yuk! [:'(])

I hope these thoughts are useful to anyone in a similar situation.

Actually, the book is geared to raising pups with kids, but I like this one a lot:
"Raising Puppies and Kids Together" by Pia Sylvani and Linda Eckhardt
It's more "real life" IMO.