This is my now 14YO JRT. I got him from a rescue when he was ten years old. My children are all older children, his previous owner thars had him since a pup had one older child so he has not been around many babies. I will mention at this point that I posted here earlier in the year about JRT snapping at my teen daughters face, however, for reasons unknown, she blew on him when he was sleeping.
I recently met up with an old friend who has a four month old baby. Of course I was dying for a hold and was stood in my lounge giving her a cuddle when my JRT wandered in, spotted her and snapped at her feet whilst she was in my arms. Thankfully I reacted quickly and lifted her higher and he didn't get her but it was a hell of a shock and could have been worse. I was mortified and obviously massively apologetic, the JRT was removed immediately and my friend was much more understanding than I would be in her shoes.
This was about five months ago now. Obviously JRT can't be around babies which is fine as I don't have babies and can take steps to keep him out of the way with any visiting babies. Until I found out three months ago that I am expecting in June next year. Completely unplanned, huge age gap between other kids but there you go.
Now, I don't know what to do. I have a busy household. My 4DC. Their many friends in and out of the house, sleepovers and so on. A 9 month old lab cross pup (who doesn't try to bite babies). Keeping JRT separate with the use of stair gates and so forth, just won't work. They will get left open. I know it will happen and I will be in a constant state of anxiety.
JRT is mostly blind now and usually spends his days sleeping a lot. He is such a loving dog, but is very possessive of me. Please, what should I be doing here?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Elder dog jumped and snapped at babies foot.
CollyWombles · 19/12/2018 07:55
If he's mostly blind, it's possible he didn't really know what he was snapping at. Is it possible he's becoming a bit confused in his old age? He does sound like a grumpy old man who, if human, would probably give the grandkids a clip around the ear with his walking stick. Has he been checked recently for pain? That's a common cause of snappiness.
You've got 6 months before baby even makes an appearance, and at his age there's a good chance he will naturally decline anyway. I would take a look at his quality of life in five months. It may be that PTS would be on the cards at that point in time anyway for medical reasons.
This.
Don't worry about it for now, stress isn't good for you or baby. The situation may have effectively been taken out of your hands a few months down the line.. Try to enjoy the next few months of your pregnancy and of your old boy's life. Life goes in funny twists and turns and 6 months is a VERY long time in thr life of a 14 year dog 
You HAVE not let him down OP, not remotely. I see dogs that have been let down by their so-called owners and you're not one of them. You've loved him his whole life and done your very best for him. At the end of the day he is an animal, they cannot reason. He doesn't feel hard done by. He is a terrier and even a young terrier may have got silly and excited at the sound and smell of a newborn baby. Do not feel guilty. You have given him a wonderful wonderful long life, just enjoy the next few months and see how it goes. Yes you might well have to make a decision you'd rather not but as pet owners we know we will likely to have to face that decision sooner or later and to have given him 14 long wonderful years is the very very best you could do for him. Stop beating yourself up and just make the next few months happy ones xxxx
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