Puppy V Baby, how do I referee their fights

[JamInMyWellies]

How do I help my 9mth DS bond with the 10wk puppy I am spending as much time as poss on the floor with them togehter, but the puppy is biting/nibbling alot have read that making high pitched yelping type noises help the puppy to understand its too much. I have been doing this but unfortunatly the puppy seems to think the baby is fair game and am just waiting for the baby to bite back. It wont be long he is a determined little man at the best of times.

Ummm...I would be keeping them well apart, tbh, puppies have needle sharp teeth and no concept of 'gentle'.

what breed?

he is a cross, basset cocker. Actually very sweet tempered just doing the typical puppy thing. Have ordered stairgate to keep him penned in one area to allow the baby some freedom.

Will just have to ride it out for a couple of months.

Stairgate is a good idea, my dog knowe that the kitchen, behind the gate, is a 'safe area', and he asks to go in and lie on his mat when the baby is on the rampage.

Puppies do that to everyone. Tis a non-starter. Wait till they're both older and in the meantime give more time to DS.

um...

"unfortunatly the puppy seems to think the baby is fair game"

seriously?

boggling at bassett / cocker cross. Be aware that cocker temprement is not always the best. Bassets are luscious if well bred. I bet your pup is a cutie, but did the breeder give it a daft name and charge an arm and a leg in the (frankly hilarious) labradoodle tradition?

no daft name but yes hideous amounts of cash.

it does appear so far to have gained the best of the basset and cocker temprements. Thankfully a very reputable breeder of dogs so no worries there.

fillyjonk its a turn of phrase does not mean I am allowing the puppy to have a go at the baby.

talkingmongoose thanks for the input have also got a crate so that helpd loads was just hoping to try and socialise them a little bit. Dont want it to be dog shut in one room and children in another otherwise what is the point of having a family pet.

there are other options e.g. hamsters

Jam, I saw it as turn of phrase too I'm sure you're doing your utmost-though I would never be brave enough to do what you're doing! It sounds a bit like my dds when they were young - we had a cot in the living room to protect our newborn dd2 from dd1, who was 14 months old. Though she had very few teeth ...

How about just really short sessions together, and as soon as the puppy mouths the baby put him quietly into his crate, so he realises its not on?

mp, OP didn't deserve that.

I agree about dog/children needn't be shut in different rooms, but a crawling, ear pulling baby - and your dog will have fabulously pullable ears - is a special case.

Crate is an excellent idea.

Sorry, I'm with mp.

If op was an experienced dog owner she wouldn't be on here asking this question.

Taking on a young puppy with little experience and a 9 month old is madness.

Not getting puppy/baby pens ready in advance shows a lack of preparation.

Puppies bite, just like babies do, they are teething and exploring the world - it's just a puppy has sharper teeth.

But she's asked for advice, is getting it, and seems prepared to act upon it...

She has a crate, she has bought an appropriate breed from a reputable breeder, she is keeping the dog and baby apart but wants to to some highly controlled and well supervised socialising of the two together. That is not irresponsible at all!

Well, she isn't - obviously - an experienced dog owner, is she? And yes, I think it's madness too. But what comes across is someone in a situation who needs some help. And I really think she could do without some of the judgemental comments made on here.

Jam, have you thought about getting someone in - a puppy expert/whisperer/whatever they're called - to help you? I imagine they're expensive, but that's what I'd do.

Sorry about the negative comments on here when you're trying to do your best.

Crate is good idea anyway, baby or no baby. Helps them settle and find their own space. Good idea to feed them and have them sleep overnight in crate so they have good association with it. Also, try not to use it too much as punishment area - OK for "time outs" but make sure it's a safe/happy place for pup. Breeder probably told you all that!

Agree that good idea to keep puppy & baby apart for time being. Puppies need boundaries, and they can't help themselves, they need to be taught. 10 weeks is still very young and a small baby is probably just like another pup to him. Doesn't mean he can't be in same room, but maybe no baby on floor with pup until later.

Pup is still adjusting to new environment/family and needs to know the rules before he can "play" with baby.

Whoa, cross post with others.

Don't stress too much about comments. So many people get dogs without a thought - that doesn't sound like you. You are not irresponsible, otherwise you wouldn't seek advice. And you're trying to avoid situations where baby could get hurt - that's being responsible.

Puppies are hard work, no question, but you'll get there. Takes time. Good luck!

We got our border terrier when DS2 was 5 weeks old, we just kept them seperate and they were not left alone together.
DS2 is now 31/2 and we have never had any problems.
DD is 14 months and will torment the dog given a chance, we manage this by keeping the dog in the conservatory when DD is to in his face, he apprecaites this as his space with his bed etc.

Ok people I cam on here for advice. I have had dogs all throughout my life as has my DP we wanted to introduce a pet to our family, yes our baby is young and some may see it as madness. But as far as i was aware mumsnet is a forum where you can come for advice which is what I am seeking. I have researched puppies behaviour and yes I know he has sharp teeth. I am following all the guidelines I just thought I would ask if anyone has any ideas on how to help, that I am unaware of.

Thankyou to those of you who are offering constructive help.

eh?

you said the puppy was biting

then that the puppy thought the baby was fair game

then that the baby was about to bite back, suggesting that he'd already been bitten by the puppy

Am therefore not sure what this is a turn of phrase for really, if not the puppy biting the baby.

JIMW

I think the problem you have is that puppies bite things. they don't mean to and it's not agressive but this could have two problems:

1. It COULD hurt your DS. totally accidentally, but it could happen. Living with my dog was like living with Edward Scissorhands till he was about 6MO old!!!

1. Your puppy will not learn what is and isn't acceptable. A good way to teach a dog what a bite feels like is to gently move his gum so that he bites down on it.... He won't do that too often!!

Good luck with the two of them - you must like punishment!!!!

Jam m'lovely, don't listen to what some people are saying, seems to be a lot of sniping on mn recently.

You're not unprepared at all, you've done everything right. I've had dogs throughout my life, we have one now even though I have a 9mo dd. Shock horror, not a dog, and a baby.......together!

Basically what you need to do when pup goes to bite you or A, is say NO and act hurt, and turn your back on him. This is the same reaction they get from their mothers when they do something wrong, the mother will turn away and ignore said pup, leaving pup feeling bad. They soon get the message, worked wonders on my dog.

Get chew toys - lots of them, though I'm sure you already have. You'll soon find his teeth in them. Don't feel like you have to seperate A and puppy, or they'll learn to resent each other and feel left out. Safety gates are great as you can keep baby and pup seperate, without walls being between them iykwim? They can still see, smell, touch, lick eachother etc. Have 5-10 minute play sessions with them where they're both together, so they can get used to eachother.

Dogs are fab and A will love him. Don't fret, I'm sure you're doing great x