I have no "experience" with "babies and beagles", but found this on Beagle Bay. 23 years ago when we brought my granddaughter home, I had a Keeshond pup, and my mom had a poodle. Both of them adored the baby and there was no jealousy - just love. They slept under her crib and let us know when she was crying (as if we couldn't hear her). Alicia had the cleanest head and feet of any baby - the furkids were always "washing her".
At any rate, here's an article from my beagle group.
When Baby Makes 4
For several years now you have been a family...you, your spouse and your dog. The dog was your only child and was spoiled as such. Then you found out you were pregnent and going to have a new baby. What do you do? What will the dog think?
Should you get rid of the dog? What if the dog gets jealous? The Key is not to allow the dog to get jealous.
Well you have almost 9 months to prepare a room for the baby. While doing so you should start preparing the dog too. Brush up on his basic obedience. Allow him in the nursery with you..always asking him to sit politely. Do not banish him from the new room. Get him used to seeing you with something in your arms...wrap a stuffed animal or doll in a blanket and carry it, always praising the dog for his good behavior.
When the baby is born...have another family member take something with the baby's scent home to the dog, again while he is sniffing it praise him. This will help get him familar with the smell of a baby. Again praising the dog.
Once baby is home..do not treat the dog like an outcast. Remember he is part of your family. And if you brought him up properly with love and proper training he will adjust to this new little life. Take a blanket that baby has slept with and give it to the dog, let him sniff it, let him sleep with it. It will help him adjust to the baby, and perhaps bond with the new smell. Always telling him good dog, good baby. The baby should be a good thing but if you push the dog a way he may become jealous and in his eyes the baby will be competition for your attention. One thing you can do with this is when both parents are there is if Mom is doting on her little one, have Dad make a fuss over the dog. Telling him what a good boy he is. And when Dad is fussing over the new baby, Mom should dote some on the dog. If the new baby cries a lot and upset the dog, give him some calm reassurence that it is OK, and redirect him with a treat or a favorite toy.
Never leave the dog and baby together unsupervised. This is when most accidents happen. The dog may get too curious and the baby could wind up hurt. It is much better to let him see the baby with you right there telling him what a good dog he is.
And as the baby grows this becomes even more important as babies learn by touching, pulling, biting, and pinching their world. And sorry but dogs are not immune to pain and can and will bite if hurt. It is your job as the parent to protect both of your babies from accidentally harming each other. Just as you will teach your new little one not to touch the electrical outlets, and that the stove is hot, you must teach him as he grows to be nice to the dog...that pulling his ears HURTS. We always work with our dogs ourselves to teach them to tolerate some degree of pulling and pushing they may recieve from a baby. Though our children are all out of the baby and toddler stage we never know when we may get a visitor with a little one. And all it takes is for your back to be turned for one second for a little one to latch a hold of the dog's ear. People who don't have pets sometimes don't teach their children to respect animals but expect all animals to be gentle and docile when their kid yanks on it.
Just remember to include the dog as part of your family and not push him away. The new baby should be a joyous occasion for your family including the dog. Give him lots of praise for his good behavior, and lots of love. And don't take the old copout of "Not having time for the dog, now that the baby is there"....having raised 3 children of my own along with numerous dogs I know one can make time.Try to keep the dogs routine...if you always took him for a walk on nice days, continue to do so.
Hopefully in years to come and as the baby grows up you will be able to enjoy watching them play ball together and they will have a deep love for each other.
