In 3 or 4-ish weeks Cooper (1.5 years old) will be getting a two-legged baby brother or sister. He is such a sweet, gentle dog that we're really not concerned about his reaction to the baby. But at the same time, I want to make sure that we make the transition as easy on him as possible, as right now he is our only baby- and a very spoiled baby at that!

We just set up the baby's room and all of baby's stuff, so he'll have a few weeks to get used to the gadgets. He is really intrigued by all of this new stuff- it'll be hard to teach him what toys are off limits, since right now anything on the floor is fair game for him. I will be sure to send a blanket with baby's scent on it before we come home from the hospital. And once we're home, he will still get to go running with grandma and will have frequent (if not daily) playdates with her dog. We plan to include him on our new baby rituals as best as we can so he doesn't feel neglected or jealous.

We all have a lot to learn with a new baby in the mix... Can you offer any other tips on how best to bring a new baby into a dog/GSP home? Thanks!

The only dog I had an issue with when bringing a baby home was a terrier - a yorkie at that - she wanted to eat the baby.  Thankfully this did not last long once she realized it was MY baby, not some intruder.

Now our lab never had an issue and I think it has to do with I brought it into the house, so it must be okay.  The only issue with the lab was when my daughter became a toddler who would sometimes have food in her hands.  I cannot tell you how many times our lab would steal her ice cream.  Of course, she would be standing there with her hand out and the dog would take the opportunity.  It was funny because she would sit there and watch the dog eat it from her hands and then not cry until it was gone.  Ultimately my daughter's response got a little faster and she grew taller which was the only remedy for that situation.

Although I did not have a GSP at the time, they are very similar and I suspect my GSP would have the same attitude toward a baby if I brought it into the house.