I loved having a doula. London King of Push Love was amazing and calming and opened my eyes to so much. It was also a great experience for my husband, who felt empowered and supported. And if I had a dog, I bet London would have talked to the pup all about the baby on the way, too. But did you know you could hire a doula just for your fur baby? I didn't either. Until now.
Yes, if you are pregnant and you have a baby on the way, you may need a Doggy Doula. At first I thought it was ridiculous. Excessive. But I can see how this could be seriously helpful.
You know how many pets get kicked out of their home after baby comes along? It happens. Sadly. Sometimes things just don't work out. Hopefully they get placed into a loving new home. But maybe, just maybe, co-habitation could be possible with a doggie doula. If you have a dog or a cat who is used to being the center of attention and you're pregnant, once baby arrives, that's going to be quite a shock for your furry one. Lap time decreases. Those high pitch cutie noises are made for the baby instead of Fido. Heck, all the Facebook photos you once posted of your dog gets replaced by the baby. It can be quite an ego hit for your pup.
How do you even break the news to the little barker that you have his human replacement on the way? There isn't a What to Expect When Your Human Mom Is Expecting for dogs.
Colleen Safford is a “Doggy Doula” based in NYC who helps train dogs whose human parents are expecting or have toddlers. She helps reduce the stress, jealousy, and anxiety many dogs feel when a real baby enters their lives.
“Everyone thinks supervision is enough, but it’s about the relationship and understanding your dog’s body language,” she told NY Daily News. Safford is a mom of three human kids and many furry ones. She's also a certified dog trainer and behaviorist. A doggy doula session will run you about $150 per session and she works by Skype or by phone consultation if you aren't in the NYC area.
One of her clients said that Safford's doggie doula service helped make her new baby and her fur baby become little buddies.
What do you think? Too excessive? Or would you get a doggie doula if you needed help to live in harmony?
Image courtesy of Kimberly Land
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Comments 14
I volunteer with a dog rescue, and you would not believe the number of dogs that people try to "return" to us after having a baby, even if the dog has been with a family for years. It is so traumatic for the dog, and it keeps our rescue from pulling more dogs out of shelters and saving them from euthanasia because we only have so many foster homes and resources.
I am in support of ANYTHING that helps families keep their dogs and prevents more dogs being dumped at overcrowded shelters.
According to the ASPCA:
Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats).
If you're not familiar with your breed of dogs or dogs in general, and you're bringing home a new baby, I definitely think this could be a big idea. Many people think its easy to just bring a baby home , and baby and pets will just get along great, but that is not always the case. The temperament behind certain breeds of dogs don't mix well with babies, while others are the exact opposite. If you're not familiar with the particular mannerisms and behavioral expressions behind a certain dog, then you set yourself up for potentially dangerous situations (i.e. dog biting baby). I think if you have any anxiety about mixing dogs and a baby, this is definitely the way to go. The family dog shouldn't have to leave because a new baby came home, and like another poster said so many animals are already abandoned. I am all for anything that helps keep a beloved family pet at home and interacting safely with a baby. I grew up with dogs my whole life, and when I had my son, I knew what to do and what to look for when introducing my baby to my pitbull and german sheppard, and to this day (almost 6 years later) there has never even been one tense or doubtful moment.
While this may be somewhat on the expensive side, its defintiely a good idea.
Hey its like the Momdoulary party here today lol. Hi everyone! They are right you know - I tried to post earlier but I think it got lost when my computer crashed. But really, what everyone else says. Momdoulary Method is so much more than doula service - and all the rest is included, breastfeeding support, classes for a year after baby, and just, people who really get it and are free of judgment. I cannot imagine going through labor without a doula. You really do need the support. I don't know about a doggy doula, but I guess if you need help with your pet acclimating it makes sense, especially if you might have to get rid of your dog otherwise :( . But as far as a birth doula? DEFINITELY. Don't buy into the lie that the nurses will be there either - they are rarely there til it is time to push. Get someone to help you throughout labor, and more important, to understand where you are at, and what is going on.
I think it's a great idea. Even dogs who aren't mean-spirited or trouble makers can have problems adjusting to a baby. After all, it's a total change to their world. Plus, many of them have never even seen a baby before (other than maybe on walks), so it's a totally new thing for them. It scream, it cries, it smells funny, and even though it's soft and squishy and squeaks sometimes, they aren't allowed to play with it. And the fur-pulling and the tail-pulling and the ear-pulling....it's not a good experience for the dog. And then having to share your time and having their schedule disrupted, it can lead to a lot of resentment. And some people are not always equipped to help the dog through this change.
However, along with getting the dog ready for the new baby, I'd also like to see parents who ready their baby for having a dog. I've seen so many parents who think it's cute when Baby flops on the dog like a bean-bag chair, pulls fur, pulls a dog's tail, takes the dog's toys/food/bed, teases the dog, "pets" (read: smacks) the dog, even chews on the dog....and then get mad when the dog has had too much and snaps at the baby. It's not enough to teach your dog to respect the baby. You also have to teach your baby from a young age that the dog is a living, breathing thing and not a toy.