Snoring & Sleeping with Newborn on the Way

[sadamson]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum although not to Pugalug and I was hoping I could get some valued advice from the great pug community.  I know what I have to do I just need some help (more like a big push) getting there!

We have a 7 year old pug/ jack russell who has always slept in bed and is dead silent (just likes to sleep with her head on the pillow) and a 5 year old Pug (Jasper from Pugalug) who snores louder than any grown man I have ever heard! and has now gotten into the habit of turning himself to stone in the middle of the night so we cannot move him.  He has also recently peed in our bed during the day when we did not know.... I don't know why, he still marks sometimes so this is the only thing I can come up with.

Here's my dilemma; I am 30 weeks pregnant and wear earplugs every night b/c of Jasper.  He is awful to sleep with I just love him so much I can't bear not having him around.  My husband is fed up and wants him to sleep in the kitchen/foyer with his crate, bed and toys at night (this is where they both sleep during the day when we are at work and they are quite happy there).  He said we should move just Jasper as he is the problem, I TOTALLY disagree and say both must be moved together as hard as I know this is going to be.  They have always slept in bed with us (4+ years for Jasper 6+years for Roxy).

With a newborn I do not want to have to sleep with earplugs in case there is any stirring I need to be alert to.  I am also concerned that with waking regularly I will not be able to fall back asleep as the snoring and lack of movement makes it hard sometimes.

How should this transition be done?  Any tips as this will be a HUGE and likely upsetting change for them?  Does anyone see any problems with them being in the same space during the day to sleep and now also over night to sleep?  Also, any tips on introducing pups to new sibling?

ANY AND ALL HELP & ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I am very stressed about this....

Stephanie
(& Josh & Roxy & Jasper)

[blanche]

Hi Stephanie:
You should probably start transitioning as soon as possible and be prepared for some resistance.  I think you'll have to transition both of the dogs off the bed as it will be harder for Jasper if Roxy is allowed to sleep in the bed, but he isn't.

Determine where you wish them to sleep and start making it as pleasant and fun a place as possible.  I don't know if crates are a possibility or not, but something to consider.  However, if you do decide to crate overnight, you will need to start introducing the crate now in gradual increments and associating it with good stuff--like kongs, good chewing bones, etc.

Get a routine set up in advance of the baby and I'd start introducing baby noises--like crying etc so that the dogs get used to that sound early and don't find it a new and barkworthy noise when you get home with the baby.

I'll look for some more info on this for you.  Others on this forum are closer to the baby years than I am (My baby is almost 22 years old!).

[sadamson]

Thanks Blanche, I really appreciate the help, I think Roxy especially is going to have a hard time. 

They do have a crate that they share and they do like it.  When they are left during the day when we are at work the crate is open to a couple comfy dog beds, toys, water and the open kitchen/ foyer.  So they are crated open concept style   It is great for them but the one time we had to put Jasper there because the snoring was unbearable he pooped in the kitchen (never had he done this before) and peed all over a bag.

Our plan was to leave them in the same space for overnight from now on as they are already quite used to it.  Because we would then go right to the bedroom how do we make this a more fun/ happy space?  Normally they just hop into the crate or the bed and we leave.

We have been ignoring them a little more to get them used to less attention and I play baby cries once in a while, I guess I should do this more often....

[blanche]

The pooping and peeing are likely anxiety--especially if he was there without anyone else--like Roxy.  This isn't going to be easy for anyone as dogs hate change. 

What's Jasper's weight?  Is the snoring something he's always done or is this more recent--i.e. since after adoption?  If he's chunked up at all, that can make snoring start or worsen if they snored to begin with.

Here are some links on transitioning--some may be more helpful than others.  I find the vetinfo advice a bit hit or miss as they tend to have pretty traditional attitudes about animals on furniture......

http://www.vetinfo.com/dog-stop-sleeping-bed.html

This is an article from the whole dog journal--I always like their stuff:

http://urbandoggs.blogspot.com/2010/08/letting-your-dog-sleep-on-your-bed-with.html

[blanche]

This is a pretty decent website about living with dogs and kids generally.  Might be worth checking it out:

http://www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com/

[sadamson]

Hi Blanche, thanks for the links!!

Jasper hasn't gained much over the last couple years, sometimes up a pound, sometimes down.  He always snored but over the last couple of years, maybe 2 or so, it's become VERY bad.  He also has his tongue sticking out now which he didn't before. 

I've talked to the vets about it and they say he's perfectly healthy, just a deep sleeper and that the only solution would be to move him.  I think my bigger fears are for Roxy right now, at 7 years old and NEVER having had a problem sleeping I feel extreme guilt kicking her out.  If it wasn't for the snoring I'd keep them both happily as the rest I can deal with.....

[blanche]

I won't kid you and say it will be a snap.  It likely won't be--I'd go slow and easy and make it as pleasurable for them as possible.  Follow the same rules as you would for crate training--except it is not just a crate but a larger confined space.

[Sammers]

I will give you my go at this.

Sami, never had a urine problem in her life...(although lots of allergies) When my son was born, had a UTI for 9 months. I think it had to do with the stress of him coming into our lives, she has been fine for over a year now. Change is very hard on pugs, and dogs. I don't think we take that enough into consideration.
Stress is a big problem, especially with an only dog/baby. They are used to what they know. I used to take her to work with me all the time, and don't now. Lots of things changed. But given time and lots of special attention she now knows, I will always come home to her. She is my baby, and needs reassurance of that a lot.

[Anna]

My son is now 16 months old and so I know where you are coming from.  We have two pugs who sleep in the big bed, both sometimes snorers, as is my husband.  Allergies can make snoring worse, and have you tried putting Jasper's head on a little pillow or log rolling him into a different position.  That is what I've always done with my guys.  You definitely can't wear earplugs when the baby comes (congrats btw!) so finding a solution now is a good idea. 

As for preparing the dogs, they likely already know something is up.  My guys knew I was pregnant before I did and went from velcro pugs to super glue pugs.  They started freaking out every time I left, even if my husband was still home.  They both became very protective of me too, which was unusual behaviour for them.  I spent a little over 3 months on bed rest so the pugs got VERY used to me be their personal hot water bottle and found it stressful when the baby came.  If you can, try to get a routine going for them that will stick when the baby is home to give them a sense of continuity.  Get your husband or a family member to bring a dirty diaper home from the hospital for the dogs to smell before you and the baby come home.  It's supposed to be a great way for them to get to know the baby.  You can also let them smell the diaper cream, diapers, powder, wipes, etc.  Also get the stroller out so they can get used to being around it.  My guys see the stroller and know that it's walk time so it's a nice positive association.

Jasper and Roxy might surprise you when the new addition comes home.  Our Ada is a rescue and had always been very wary of children but the moment our son came home she claimed him as hers.  She stuck like glue, following us to the crib and change table every time, even in the middle of the night.  She has adored Isaac from day one.  Darwin thinks Isaac is great and fun, but he certainly isn't as devoted as Ada.  He had some jealousy issues, but they were pretty mild.  He thought he had exclusive rights to my lap, but after a few firm NOs when he'd try to nose Isaac out of the way he got the idea.  Both the pugs turned to my husband for attention more once Isaac came home, which worked out well since there are some things with a baby that Daddy just can't do.

PM me if you'd like to chat with someone else in the trenches. 

[blanche]

Thank you Anna and Amanda for chiming in.  I'm so far away from the trenches that I don't even have shell shock anymore.