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For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Parenting

New baby and dog?

40 replies

RebeccaJames · 19/02/2014 20:37

I saw in the news today that a six-day-old baby has been mauled to death by the family dog. Beyond awful.

We have a dog - a soppy, sociable mini-labradoodle called Hannah, who was always fine with Ds1. She snapped at him once when he cornered her and hurt her, and left a tooth graze under his eye. It was a warning snap but of course worrying.

Now we have DS2, who is 10 weeks old. Hannah is older now and not getting much attention at the moment. Today's news has really made me think... You never really know with a dog and I would never forgive myself if she turned on my baby. I expect she is feeling jealous but there is no outward sign. I try to remember to put DS2 in the playpen when I leave the room but sometimes I do leave him on the sofa in his Poddle Pod while I run up and fetch washing or go to the loo.

What do you think about it?

OP posts:

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TheGreatHunt · 19/02/2014 20:44

So your dog nipped one child and you sometimes forget to put the other one somewhere safe.

Not sure if this is a wind up. I can only say

Springcleanish · 19/02/2014 20:44

Stair gates on doorways and always take baby or dog with you. I'd pop baby on the floor in their pod too, not on the sofa. It only takes a second for something terrible to happen, don't risk it. Our dog was the soppiest thing ever, but never allowed with kids on their own until they were about 6/7 and old enough to understand the responsibility.

Eletheomel · 19/02/2014 20:50

I'd never leave a baby alone with any pet, and I love animals (although we only have 2 cats due to work commitments). You just never know what's going to happen and even if I was in a rush, I'd make sure my baby and the dog were never in a room alone before heading off - a few extra seconds gained here and there just aren't worth the risk. In fact, I don't even leave my cats alone with DS2 (he's nearly 9 months) and they don't go anywhere near him generally (he's noisy and grabby!).

I'm not paranoid, we always had cats and dogs growing up and I never wanted my children to grow up in a pet-free home (hence the cats) but I simply could not live with myself if my baby was injured as a result of actions (or in-actions) I took in relation to a family pet (and I say that generally, not as any comment on the recent tragedy you mentioned as I (like everyone else) have no idea how that occurred).

RebeccaJames · 19/02/2014 20:51

No, TheGreatHunt, it is not a wind-up. I have a stair gate so that the dog cannot go upstairs, and a playpen specifically because we have a dog, so I am taking lots of precautions. The dog has never bitten, or she would be long gone. A warning snap is a different kettle of fish from a bite - you can't expect a dog not to react if you corner and hurt it. DS1 learned not to do that.

I just think it is near-impossible to never ever a child with a dog for a couple of seconds. I am just asking for others' perspectives.

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Catsmamma · 19/02/2014 20:53

well take the dog with you...keep them apart if you are not there to supervise . It's perfectly simple.

You make the choices, you must live with the consequences.

Suzietwo · 19/02/2014 20:56

I got a dog after having my second child. Will be having a baby in May. I haven't really considered this, I have to say. I happily leave the dog with the kids atm (2 and 4). I don't think I'd leave the baby. But I wouldn't leave the baby with the 2 year old either!

TheGreatHunt · 19/02/2014 21:00

How old was your eldest when your dog snapped? Because, quite frankly, it sounds like you think it was for your ds to "learn not to do it again". Your mindset should be 100% to protect your children.

You wouldn't get in a car and not strap your children's seat belt would you? So don't forget to keep your baby safe when you nip to the loo.

purplemurple1 · 19/02/2014 21:01

We never leave the dog and the baby together unsupervised - it's pretty easy tbh. Either take the baby with us or move the dog to a different room or outside.

We also have a travel cot downstairs to leave the baby in somewhere safe but that's more for when he is mobile ans I wouldn't count it as full protection from the dog as he is big and can easily jump into the travel cot.

Our dog is well trained working dog that gets lots of exercise, has never snapped and isn't allowed in certain rooms (he just won't go in no gates required). Still you can never be sure imo.

TheScience · 19/02/2014 21:09

It does sound like you need to be a bit more vigilant, especially as your baby is so little.

Babies are unpredictable and can be disconcerting for dogs. Even though your dog isn't aggressive, if the baby suddenly cries or rolls off the sofa while you are out of the room then the dog could hurt him without meaning to.

TheScience · 19/02/2014 21:11

Suzietwo, can you really trust your children, especially the 2 year old, not to hurt or frighten the dog even unintentionally when unsupervised? I think you're taking quite a big risk there of one of them getting bitten.

RebeccaJames · 19/02/2014 21:11

TheGreatHunt, I started this thread to see what other people thought, so it's fine that you have given your opinion. I am up for a kick up the arse about the VERY odd occasion when he's asleep in his pod and I don't want to wake him to have a wee or answer the door.

But you must be advocating people not to have dogs and children at all if you think a dog must not react if cornered and hurt?

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purplemurple1 · 19/02/2014 21:22

Can you take the dog with you if the baby is asleep?

We would put the dog down if he snapped at one of us as he needs to know he can't dominate us and any show of aggression would be him trying to take the upper hand ifyswim. I've seen him cornered by cows and hurt he did everything he could to get away but made no attempt to attack them, I'd expect the same if he was cornered or hurt by one of us.

TheScience · 19/02/2014 21:23

Wow, that's very extreme purple!

TheGreatHunt · 19/02/2014 21:24

That's why I asked how old your child was when it happened? If young then it's your fault not the dog not the dc.

I grew up with dogs - but in all honesty, no I wouldn't have young children and dogs. The fact that owners need to bevigilant says it all really - why have that extra layer of stress when it's hard enough with babies and toddlers.

purplemurple1 · 19/02/2014 21:25

He's a working dog - so I've prob about of a harder view than people with pets.

RebeccaJames · 19/02/2014 21:31

TheGreatHunt, DS1 was 3 when it happened. It was when I was in the room so I saw exactly what happened.

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Quinteszilla · 19/02/2014 21:35

You are joking right? The dog nearly took your older childs eye out, yet there you are forgetting to keep your new baby safe?

TheGreatHunt · 19/02/2014 21:37

3 is too young to have known better. Poor kid.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 19/02/2014 21:41

No, it's not hard to never leave your baby and your dog alone together. I am a lazy feckless parent at the best of times, But I have a laid back dog who was never once left alone with my DD.

How would you ever forgive yourself if the dog harmed your child?

RebeccaJames · 19/02/2014 21:59

Unexpected, I quote myself: "You never really know with a dog and I would never forgive myself if she turned on my baby." And "I am up for a kick up the arse about the VERY odd occasion..."

I am a thoughtful, careful parent who has taken today's news as an opportunity to re-examine practices in our house to do with the dog. I think that is a good thing.

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Suzietwo · 19/02/2014 22:07

I don't know but if it happens it will be my responsibility and my conscience.

Quinteszilla · 19/02/2014 22:07

"I am a thoughtful, careful parent"

TheGreatHunt · 19/02/2014 22:13

It is a good thing - kudos to you op as I know I've been a bit rude/confrontational. I do feel quite strongly about this.

RebeccaJames · 19/02/2014 22:14

Yes, Quinteszilla, I am. I am glad you are a perfect parent but I accept that I may not be and may have flaws, and am happy that I re-examine my parenting frequently and seek advice and other perspectives.

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Suzietwo · 19/02/2014 22:15

Very nicely handled rebecca !

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