Dog behaviour changed

[Firsttimmummy]

Hey all, I am having some issues with my dogs (jack Russell and Collie cross) I absolutely adore them but since having my toddler they have become a nightmare peeing and pooing in the house even when I open the door. My girl (jrt) doesn't seem to go outside anymore and the vets said she's healthy just very nervous which unfortunately happened after a dog bite so she's reactive.

I'm very nervous with the collie cross as he had showed his teeth at my LO for no reason so to protect her we have placed baby gates in the living room and the kitchen as advised by the dog trainer which we bought in.

I'm feeling very guilty as since having my LO I had a birth injury so my ability to walk them has deceased however my husband takes them every day and I would love to take them but they both pulled the pram over when I did manage to take them once.

I also don't want to re-home my collie but he makes me so nervous with my LO due to his history. We had them since pups although they're very spoiled before having my LO as I kept having miscarriage.

Does anyone have any advice I do not want to them to re-home them as I love them so much.

This isnt about their quality of life they have a warm house, massive garden, plenty of food. Yes we don't allow the dog open all day and the main reason is that next door has different nurses coming in which does seem to stress them out which causes them to bark a hell of a lot.

I just don't think the collie likes kids which is the change of behaviour and my JRT is a lovely dog.

why can you take them out in the garden on the lead?

i wouldnt have the door open all day but at times during the day they might like to go into the garden

What was the lead up to the dog baring his teeth at the baby? What had happened?

Some brain games for the dogs might help and there's loads you can do without moving around too much in terms of your birth injury. You'll need to tailor them to your dogs breeds so that they're getting the right sort of enrichment from them.

You have a biddable, intelligent breed like a collie but haven't managed the art of loose lead walking. Get that installed and you'll be able to take them out without pulling the pram over.

Teach them to come in on command when you see someone approaching the property so they don't bark at visitors.

And you're making them worse by being nervous and inconsistent around them.

The problem is almost always bored dogs who arnt getting enough free running over fields. They need to go out in the morning and the evening then they will be content at home. I think this is true of all dogs actually and why they have problems. Yes you are busy with baby now but that isn't their fault they were there first. You also need to make the garden a safe space for them to access whenever they like so as others have said you can put up your own fence next to the neighbours fence just explain you need to dog proof the garden there's nothing they can do tbh. If they are pulling the oram then get halti head collars then they can't pull

I didn't say anything about their quality of life - you seem to be completely misreading my posts

You keep saying that they get two walks a day but I'm trying to explain it's not about just having two walks - they need to be good quality walks if you want them to be beneficial and to make a difference to their behaviour.

But if your collie doesn't actually like kids then I suspect you have bigger problems than that.

She walked past him and said hello doggy then he came near her for a head scratch then did that.

They have brain teasers every day slow feeding for the collie, mats etc however no I cannot allow them outside with post man etc.

He doesn't seem to like kids and my husband won't discuss rehoming as its his dog ... So I keep them safe as possible.

Your dogs are both high-energy, intelligent breeds (well, a cross of 2 such breeds in the case of one of them) who will be challenging if they don't get enough exercise and mental stimulation.

It sounds as though you are no longer able to give them that, so you need to find another way. I'd suggest a dog walker for at least an hour a day in addition to the walks your husband is giving them and a range of interactive toys.

Get a fence put up in your garden, inside the line of the neighbour's fence. It can be up to 2m high, unless there is a specific local restriction. It needn't be expensive, chain link will do the job and is much cheaper than a wooden fence. Then they can play outside as well, and you can go outside and throw a ball or something with them.

For the toiletting, you need to go back to basics: take them out into the garden every hour, and reward them for peeing/pooing outside, including when out on walks. Watch them like a hawk indoors, and usher them out the minute they show any signs of needing to go (eg sniffing, circling etc). Consider fitting a dog flap to the back door once you've secured the garden, so that they can go out whenever they want to.

OP I also think a behaviourist is probably required but I still think you need to get a secondary fence put in front of the neighbours fence (and the gate can attached to a fencepost on your land so that it doesn't need to touch the neighbour's wall). A half acre garden is a decent size and it's such a shame if they can't access it freely. If they're outside a lot more and also having two long walks a day then that in itself should address the toileting issues in part since they will be outside when the urge strikes.

We have a dog flap for our collie. She is in and out like a yo-yo.

I agree with others - sort the garden! Put up your own tall fence without touching your neighbours wall. Ignore their objections. You can worry about upsetting them if you like, but this might lead to you losing your dogs. You choose.

Second, for the postie, get a lockable mailbox at the end of garden so s/he doesn't have to come in.