Does anyone have an untrained dog and a newborn??? Getting worried!!

[Foodx123]

So long story short, me and partner moved back in with his parents in April. I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and have been thinking a lot more about the fact there is a dog in the house. People always say German shepherds are "loyal" and "protective" etc and don't get me wrong he's a loyal dog (not to me!) but he was never trained or socialised in anyway at all. He's 3 years old and has calmed down a lot since I first met him but he hates anyone that isn't familiar to him. He was bought before I met my partner but apparently because they lived in a rough part of London they wanted him to be "aggressive" in case they were burgled or something. We now live in Cheshire and it's super peaceful and he's defo a lot better. However, if the doorbell goes and he will howl and howl and run to the door ready to attack. If I am alone I simply won't answer the door to save the embarrassment and obvious risk to that person!! If he was let loose he would be put down...! I wasn't too worried at first when we moved in because I said I would keep an eye on baby all the time and it would be okay etc.. until one morning the doorbell went and we have our own little living room which had her Moses basket in. The delivery man stood by the front window instead of the door for some reason and the door busted in the room jumped up to the window knocking the Moses basket over in rage because he wanted to attack this delivery guy on the opposite side of the window. I couldn't help think about there being a baby there!!! Today he went in her nursery which has had her play mats in for over a week and he hasn't once touched them but today he burst one of the inflatables whilst we weren't there. Don't understand why he would wait a week before destroying it if he wanted it!? I've spent £60 on stair gates which are only 76cm high!! Hoping they stop in going in the room but that doesn't seem that high. Don't know what to do other than have constant supervision day and night. Am I over reacting?? Feel like I can't complain and this isn't my house and the dog is my in-laws "baby" so don't see them doing much.

[SomeoneElseEntirelyNow]

This doesn't sound safe at all. I'd move out if at all possible, and have a proper conversation with your inlaws about the dog if not.

[VimFuego101]

This sounds dangerous. Why are you living there; can you move?

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Having an unpredictable dog in a house with a baby is very dangerous, please please don't ignore this.
At the very least you need some areas of the house that the dog doesn't enter.

[Foodx123]

Thanks for your reply guys. Unfortunately due to coronavirus it meant my partner has only just gone back to work after 3/4 months off. He was also laid off back in December which was no fault of his so it really messed with our finances to the point we cannot afford our own place for a long while. That's the predicament I am in. My in laws and partner view the matter very differently to me it would seem. We've had a chat recently and came to the conclusion that the best we could do was whenever I needed to leave the baby for a drink, toilet etc that someone looks after her and keeps an eye on the dog. As reassuring as that may seem I don't feel comfortable having to watch every move and feel like that's the way it has to be in a place I should call my own. Being my daughter I am naturally going to feel more protective than anyone else!

[Stackers382]

I’d certainly buy a sling and keep baby with you at all times, even when you go to the loo. Can you move before baby’s mobile?

[lorisparkle]

Could you look at having baby gates installed so that you have 'dog free' areas when needed. I personally would not feel safe at all but don't know what solution to offer if you can not move out. Is there no one else you could live with? I would talk it through with your partner again regarding the vulnerability of a baby with such a dog.

[Boringnamechanging]

I had a very docile old dog when mine were born (wouldn't kill a fly) but I never left the baby/toddler alone with the dog. If I went to the loo without the baby the dog came with me. Buy a sling.

[AnyFucker]

Is it possible to move out with baby and go to your parents ?

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Would your in-laws consider taking the dog to a trainer or behaviourist? An out-of-control dog can't be much fun for anyone in the household. If they don't see a problem with the dog, though, you need to keep the baby and the dog well apart - though as you have realised, that's easier said than done.

[dalmatianmad]

This is an accident waiting to happen. I'm a massive dog lover, their Dog sounds horrendous.
Are your parents an option?

[icedaisy]

I have three dogs and that sounds utterly dangerous.

I take it you did not get a health visitor home visit due to virus?

The midwife will come out when you get home. This is exactly the sort of thing that will raise huge concerns for them.

I'm sorry but not a chance I would be bringing a newborn into a house with a dog like that, and I say that as a dog owner and lover.

[Laks0007]

OP that is an accident waiting to happen! Nevermind when the baby is mobile and starts pulling is coat and ears!

I love dogs, but I would be really worried in this situation so I can understand how you feel.

My grandparents had German Shepard's they were very well trained and never left alone with the kids. There were often times where the grandchildren grabbed tails and ears, but nothing happened. The dogs also had crates (outdoor)so it was easy to shut them away. They were also trained as guard dogs and so could be aggressive towards intruders. When the door bell went they would bark and go to the door, but had impeccable recall.

Could you ask your family to consider a crate ?

[hiredandsqueak]

Have you looked at dog gates? www.wayfair.co.uk/pets/pdp/archie-oscar-maxen-safety-gate-with-lockable-cat-flap-saft1005.html?piid=49247642%2C36184039 They are twice the height of baby gates, more expensive but worth it in your situation I would think. Our dog who is tiny, well trained and non aggressive can jump a baby gate if he wants to.

[Sittinonthefloor]

Shockingly dangerous. You need to move out, speak to your midwife, social services, your parents... everything you can think of to keep your baby safe. Do not rely on stair gates or other people to protect your baby.

[Foodx123]

Unfortunately my mum lives with my 4 younger siblings 200 miles away and I haven't lived with her for years. She however isn't happy with the dog situation but living with her isn't really an option with the size of her house. We are hoping to try and save and move out as soon as we can. The in-laws mentioned getting him trained when they found out I was pregnant but it seems with them things are said and then forgotten as time goes on. The dog thinks he owns everyone in the house and that is clear since when he becomes aggressive and barks at strangers he is unable to be stopped. There is no command that will shut the dog up until the person leaves. I'm worried about the health visitor coming after the baby is born because even with COVID I think someone visits after I'm not 100% but that's not the point even if the dog is in the garden which is where he would be locked for the time being he will still bark aggressivly and it's embarrassing and worrying for me. I love animals but part of me just doesn't like him anymore and I know it's not his fault it's his owners fault for buying a GSD as their first ever dog and not bothering to train him in any way shape or form.

[Foodx123]

@hiredandsqueak

Have you looked at dog gates? www.wayfair.co.uk/pets/pdp/archie-oscar-maxen-safety-gate-with-lockable-cat-flap-saft1005.html?piid=49247642%2C36184039 They are twice the height of baby gates, more expensive but worth it in your situation I would think. Our dog who is tiny, well trained and non aggressive can jump a baby gate if he wants to.

I shall have a look thank you. I did wonder about that but our GSD is overweight (54kg I think!) so can't imagine him jumping over but then I can never be too sure!!

[icedaisy]

Op the health visitor and midwife will visit after birth and if the dog is as bad as you say that could trigger a referral to social services. There job is to make sure the baby and you are safe.

[Foodx123]

@icedaisy

Op the health visitor and midwife will visit after birth and if the dog is as bad as you say that could trigger a referral to social services. There job is to make sure the baby and you are safe.

Yeah that worries me a lot and it completely went over my head. I'm sure my in-laws will suggest 'taking him out of a walk' when the visit is due. Doesn't fix a problem just clouds it but unfortunately that's the best I get!

[INeedNewShoes]

Oh dear - this sounds far from ideal.

If the other adults don’t recognise the potential problems here then they won’t be safe to be left looking after the baby (they’ll take risks if they think it’s ok).

[Foodx123]

@INeedNewShoes

Oh dear - this sounds far from ideal.

If the other adults don’t recognise the potential problems here then they won’t be safe to be left looking after the baby (they’ll take risks if they think it’s ok).

Yes! We had a "chat" and we discussed someone having the baby at all times. But after that, the other day I was told in just a general conversation that my MIL had her nephew sitting on her lap in this house and she was giving him attention etc and the dog went and bite the boy, tearing his clothes (out of jealously I presume) this was after he was seemingly playing with the kids after being introduced and getting comfortable with them. She said it so naturally and I was sitting there alarm bells ringing in my head 😖😖😖

[icedaisy]

Jesus Op. It gets worse.

You cannot bring a baby home to that dog. I say that as someone who has witnessed the aftermath of a dog attack On a child.

You need to contact your midwife and local services and see if there is support for emergency housing.

[peachypetite]

Absolutely no way can you live there with a newborn. Why can’t you get your own place?

[Nixen]

Not a fucking chance I’d take a newborn home to be around that dog. Accident waiting to happen. And I speak as someone who loves dogs

[Purplequalitystreet]

Oh God OP this sounds so dangerous. Are ever going to feel brave enough to put baby down on the floor to kick and roll around? You can hold them as a tiny newborn but after a few weeks they need freedom to move. How does the dog cope with noise?

[Foodx123]

@peachypetite

Absolutely no way can you live there with a newborn. Why can’t you get your own place?

I really wish we could. We had our own little place in Essex before all this COVID-19 which ruined our finances. Now we are 200 miles up north 😢