Panicking - pregnancy and dog

[Devastatedaboutourdog]

I am 4 months pregnant and have a 1 year old Jack Russell. He's lovely 70% of the time but has always been prone to nipping and snarling. Initially we put it down to being a puppy but now I'm not so sure. He has been treated like a king. We did everything right - puppy classes, training at home. His needs have always been put first and quite right too.

I am 4 months pregnant with our first baby and I always suspected that he 'knew' almost Immediately. He has become increasingly aggressive towards me. He always preferred me - I put this down to how much time I spent with him (I work from home for example). He can be quite vile towards me know.

Obviously with our impending arrival, I'm extremely worried. Is this common? I am worried he'll hate the baby and be aggressive towards him. Does anyone have experience of advice?

Can you do some 1:1 sessions with a dog trainer or behaviourist.

I am 36 weeks pregnant and have a 14 month old dog. I did a 1:1 session this week, due to recall issues (normally very good, but has the occasional melt down/ complete loss of control). It was well worth the money and I feel a lot less stressed now as a result. It's much easier to handle/ train him with confidence now that I know what I am doing is the correct thing (I had the right ideas, but was rushing/ missing some steps).

Has your dog been around small children much? My friend came up to my house last week with her 3 and 6 year old, and my dog was a little star, much better behaved than he ever is with me. It was such a relief.

Not on the show, on the SOFA!!

Hi,

I have a JRT who has just turned 2, im 7+3 and im fairly sure she knew straight away... my other dog hasn't taken any interest. My JRT is snappy and can nip but it's a playful nip. I also have similar concerns as JRT are notoriously naughty and mine lives up to that name! I've bought a few books on handing bringing a baby into the home with our JRT in mind as we like you have taken to classes, trained, etc but they do have a mind of their own sometimes. That said my girl is lovely and hasn't left my side since. She's very protective over me and that does worry me a little.

My other dog i have no concerns about whatsoever, he is very docile and barely moves a muscle unless it's for food or tummy tickles.

I don't have any advice to give as im in the same boat, but at least you're considering the dog and trying to put measures in place before your new arrival.

Good Luck.

Yorkshireyummymummy is spot-on, I'm afraid. Even people who've had dogs for years make serious mistakes and allow their dog to get entrenched in bad and dangerous behaviour. You need to rehome him and yes, get some training yourself from a dog behaviorist before getting another dog.

We have a 4 1/2 yr old JR, a Battersea boy who has been with us 8 months. We are his third owners, and he came to uswith a long crime sheet of nipping, barking, not liking dogs children of men. He is very high energy, hyper, needs 2 x 1hr walks a day minimum and extra play and mind games in addition. Very needy, very aggressive,very unpredictable. We have worked through a lot of his issues to the point where he is trustworthy around adults and dogs but I would never trust him around a child. We don't have kids and are very committed to Milo who we love to bits, but he has bitten both of us and will always be a work in progress. I really don't think I would trust your dog around your baby OP. Can another family member take him on in the short term,then he could be introduced in a highly supervised way to your baby when he or she arrives? If your dog continues to show aggression then permanent rejoining will have to be your option

I wouldn’t have a dog that behaved that way around my children. I’ve seen enough dog bites in my time (I’m a nurse), it’s not pleasant.

It is entirely up to you but you are essentially talking yourself into taking a risk with your baby.

A dog that is 'lovely' 70% of the time isn't lovely, it's unpredictable and aggressive.

JRTs are notorious for this and get a bad press. While you're right not to steroetype individual dogs, the fact is that everything you've said indicates that your JRT is like this - snappy, aggressive, not placid and not currently responding at all to whatever training is taking place. If the training makes no difference and effectively you are regularly getting bitten then yes you have a massive problem.

I would rehome for the dog's sake as much as anything else. This is not going to go well - once the baby is here you are just not going to be able to trust him one iota and that means that he just isn't going to be able to be with you and interact with you as he has been used to doing. That's sad for any dog, for one who already sees himself as 'boss' and feels confident with biting and threatening to communicate with you, it's disastrous. The outcome will likely be that he becomes more aggressive because he will be unhappy.

He's only young, you're looking at YEARS of constant barricading/warning/can't leave doors open because of the dog/can't let baby crawl around there/cant really have friends with babies round for coffee morning, the dog will go nuts and what if he gets out...

Miserable for all concerned.

For the dog, I would also say that he's started off so badly for this behaviour to become normal to him that he really needs a fresh start- a new home, new boundaries and definitely no babies. That's his best chance of not becoming one of those horrible little dogs that are just nasty, and often end up PTS for biting.

Horrid for you but I can't see how this is going to work out at all - and, as I said at hte start, it comes down to taking a risk. The JRT that killed that baby jumped a stairgate. It isn't worth it.

Get advice from a behaviourist and just be sensible - never leave the dog and baby unattended.
At one year old he is going to push the boundaries.
Baby gates will be your best friend, dog one side (perhaps with a treat), you and baby sitting the other side. Baby is safe from dog but still able to interact with you so won't feel pushed out.
Nice walks with the dog, with baby in a sling/push chair. I would suggest a few shorter walks throughout the day rather than one long walk.
Dog not allowed on sofa - nice comfy bed by your feet.
Interactive toys and kongs to amuse himself.
The dog does not have to interact with the baby, but don't make him scared of him/her. Praise and encouragement when he acts positively.
Start now (with a toy doll) to teach him what he must/must not do. Carry the doll around and teach him he must never jump up. If he follows you, that's fine, and drop a treat when he has all four feet on the ground. If he jumps up - turn away with a sharp 'no' or 'down'
The minute he bites/nips - sharp 'no' and remove yourself from situation. Walk away and ignore him.
Snarling is his warning sign - so if you are stroking him and he snarls. Stop, walk away, give him space.
If playing ball is a trigger - stop playing.

It can be hard putting all these rules in place but once a dog know a routine and boundaries they usually settle down. My dog was a terror when he got to 1-2years and I almost considered rehoming him- now at 4years, people comment on how calm he is (sometimes I question if he is the same dog!)

Good luck!

Be aware JRTs can jump over babygates. Ours can jump over a 6ft fence and she is small for JRT. Make sure he really cannot get over the babygate, we ended up with two...

Baby gates aren't safe, they don't make things safe. Unfortunately they tend more to give a false sense of security.

As has been said, the JRT that killed the baby got through the gate. It only takes a second.

A stressed slightly aggressive dog suddenly kept in the kitchen or whatever behind the gate is going to focus every waking moment on how to get through that gate, basically. And you've always got half an eye and ear on whether he's found a way to do that.

It is so not worth it! - and miserable for the dog.

OP - could you get this thread moved to "The Dog house" section, you might get some more expert opinion on there. A friend of mine has a lovely and very well behaved pair of jack Russells, but over man years I've known quite a few snappy and nippy ones.

I have 2 JRTs who are chalk and cheese so blaming the breed seems extreme. The bitch is sweet, loving, cuddly and I trust her implicitly. The dog is hyper, growly, and dislikes children, in fact his entire litter dislikes children so it may be worth contacting his breeder for advice. Don’t get me wrong he loves a cuddle but when he’s done he’s done.
He’s never bitten as I simply will not tolerate a snappy dog and he was always fine with me when pregnant but I always worried about him around a baby so he went to live with my parents. Now DS is 3 and has been taught how to behave around him the dog is fine with him.
I really think you need to speak to a behaviourist or you may be making a rod for your own back. Do you want to have to be worried about separating baby and child forever?

Hello Devastated
I just wanted to say hello and hope you are feeling ok.
I know it’s incredibly hard for you and my heart breaks.
I see that most of the people are in agreement that the situation with your dog is untenable.
It simply isn’t worth the risk.
Please keep posting so I know you are ok. Your pregnancy should be as stress free as possible and it should be a time that you enjoy getting ready for your baby. Sadly, you have some stressful and sad decisions to make.
But you have an ear here in me. And I send you a big hug.

If when he comes to you for attention ignore him.
Don't allow him on the furniture
Eat before he does
Walk through doors before he does
He needs to see you as pack leader.

Jesus Christ this sort of discredited gobshite is still doing the rounds. Cesar Milan has plenty to answer for

I think you need to take him to a dog behaviour expert.

On the face of it you need to follow this up by rehoming him with someone who can deal with him and does not have children.

A Jack Russels' mouth is at the same level as a toddler's. Even a snap would be very bad. If he bites and attacks it could be horrendous.

Telling him off and giving him a time out clearly isn't working. He won't understand what's happening.
You aren't training as you said he's now refusing to do things like sit that he would do before.
Can you give an example of when he bites or scratches?