Dog Experts! how do I show my dog that baby is boss?!

[charlie91]

I have a 9month old baby and 2 dogs. One of the dogs is fine but my 7yr old terrier cross has always been a bit highly strung. So far she has given the baby a wide berth, seeming very nervous of her and not even wanting to look at her, but now my DD is crawling, and wants to crawl after/grab the dogs, obviously I don't leave them alone, but on a couple of occasions now my dog has growled/ shown her teeth at the baby, especially when I tell my DD 'no'. I think the dog is telling her off too!
Is there anything I can do, me and said dog have always been v close (half the problem I suspect) & I really don't want to get rid of her.

Baby always has to ALLOW them into her space (until she can do that herself you have to do it)
Dont' let dogs into baby's room - thats her space too.

Also when you go for a walk, make sure that the dog is behind the buggy.

There's probably others too and I'm sure someone will be here soon to help more.

Charlie - I had a very similar situation to you and, despite never leaving them alone together my terrier did once go for my ds (when I was beside them both), so please be very very careful.

In this situation avoid doing anything which will increase the dog's fear of the baby: this could make the dog much more likely to bite. Instead try to create positive associations for the dog: for instance you can have baby on your lap and feed treats to the dog.

The most important thing is to keep them separate though - dogs find the stage where babies get mobile very hard. I would also recommend using a behaviourist if you can.

Best of luck and please take care.

Thanks for the advice! Yes I'm going to look out for a good behaviourist I think!

I would echo the suggestion that you find a good behaviourist - make sure they are listed with either the APBC or the APDT.

This is not an issue of dominance, this is an issue of your dog's personal space being invaded by a crawling, unpredictable new person. The growls are the dog's way of warning you that she feels threatened and if they go unnoticed or ignored then she will be left with no option but to bite. It is therefore of paramount importance that you ensure your baby is never alone with this dog and if at all possible find a space in the room where your dog can go and be safe from the child. At this stage one of our dogs was much the same and we pushed two sofas together into a corner, and the dog jumped into the corner when he felt threatened.

Don't make things worse by confusing your dog with punishment or harsh words. She's already under a lot of stress. Try to involve the baby too as Bella suggests, and make time to ensure your dog gets lots and lots of exercise.

Could you get your dogs a crate to sleep in? I know lots of people don't like them for looking a bit 'cage' like but if you can make it the dogs bed it gives them somewhere to retreat to and can be a good place to escape an over enthusiastic baby.

We put a throw over the three sides so it is a bit cave like and then the door can be shut when they just want to sleep and they know dd can't get to them.

I have a one year old dd and two Jack Russells so I get where you are coming from!

Also all the regular stuff, keep dogs off sofas, beds etc, make sure you and dd eat first, don't let the dogs be physically higher up than you - eg on stairs, make your dog move if you want to get past, don't go around or over them etc all reinforce the point to your dog that she is below you and dd in the pecking order of your pack which will stop your dog feeling that it needs to tell dd off as a naughty young pup.

I would also make sure that the dog understands that you will 'protect' her from the baby. We are very lucky that our dog is wonderful and has only twice growled at ds - when they were sharing the back seat on a long journey - each time ds got told off rather than the dog. I also second the making a safe place for the dog. Ds knows that if the dog is in her basket he is not to disturb her. Now he is a bit older he is allowed to stroke her very gently if she is in it (she likes this, even from ds!). He has, however, been known to sit in the dog's basket when she wasn't in it .

I think things improved when the dog started to view ds as a potential source of interesting food - and ds enjoyed feeding her - we had to stop the dog sitting under his high chair as she was putting on too much weight, but she still got to come in and clear up after meal times which she liked. Your lo will soon be big enough to drop biscuits for them which might also help.

Mistlethrush - you are right about the feeding, my dogs circle dds highchair like vultures. Unfortunately she has now discovered that it is hilarious to throw her food from up there and watch them jump for it so happily dispenses whole meals to the dogs for her entertainment. The dogs are now banished from the kitchen

Yup - once ds had learned that he could pretend that he was picking something up to eat, but instead dangle it to the side and 'oh dear, I dropped it' to the dog who was very expectant. The dog suddenly discovered the point in babies at this time . They now have a really good relationship and play together very nicely (although they do sometimes have arguements about sticks). Whist the dog is at the bottom of the pecking order, she also knows that we ensure that there is no bossing around by ds permitted

Thanks for all the fantastic advice, unfortunately yesterday, whilst holding my DD she stretched her hand toward the dog who snapped at her! Luckily the dog didn't catch her but its made me think I just can't take the risk and am now looking into having her rehomed
Its just not practical or fair on the dog to keep her in a separate room all the time, (our kitchen isn't big enough & we only have a living room)
I'm just so sad that its come to this, I'm racking my brains trying to think of someone lovely who might take her, (can't face leaving her at a dogs home)
She really is a lovely well behaved dog-just not with babies. Can't think what else I can do.

pigggle, how sad for you - unfortunately dogs don't always take well to babies, its no ones fault, its just the way it is. You absolutely cannot take any chances. Where abouts are you? I understand totally about not wanting to kennel. How old is your dog? Is he a particular breed? If so you could approach a breed rescue - they often have fosterers who will take the dog in the meantime of a permanent home - better than being in kennels. I would do this sooner rather than later though - the danger with leaving it is that things might be OK for a bit and then out of the blue the dog will snap at the baby and might catch her face - you would never forgive yourself.

I know, that's what I'm worried about, my dog is a crossbreed, terrier type, jack russell in there possibly and is aged 7, I'm just going to ask around firstly and in the meantime keep them as separate as I can.

piggle - try your local vets, they often will know of people who may have lost a dog and be ready for a new dog and don't want the hassle of a puppy. They will also be able to give you local rescue centres, it will be worth registering with them because they may well be able to put the dogs details "out there" without taking her into kennels.

In the meantime - try and keep any contact they do have positive, really difficult i know - as your Dog will sense your tension and think the baby is a threat. Terriers can be snappy dogs and if she is not used to children its not her fault if she is defending herself. You say that you wanted your dog to know that the baby is boss - she doesn't need to know this really, she needs to know that YOU are the boss and pack leader. To quote that lovely man on the TV, you need to be Calm Assertive, so to dominate the dog without reprimanding. silly little things like putting her on her back and stroking her belly, making her stay like it. Lots and lots of praise when around the baby and calm. This will make this transition time easier for you all - im sorry i still think you need to rehome but it is achievable to keep them separate - i had a very similar situation with my ROTWEILLER so you can imagine my heart was in my mouth and i don't care what anyone says it is impossible to keep dogs and children separate 100% of the time. Sadly my dog died before we rehomed him, but i was at the stage you are now, starting to put feelers out and i hated myself, but not as much as i would have done if he had bitten my DD.

is there any chance of a medium-term re-homing? is there anyone in the family who would have the dog for 2 years or so? it's so sad for you but you have to do the right thing for dd. I hope you find a lovely new home for him.

charlie91 + pigglemama (and others)

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU EVER LEAVE A BABY WITH A DOG FOR A SECOND. NEVER EVER.

In particular never with a dog that is being territorial and snapping at the baby/child as yours seem to be.

Have you ever seen two dogs covered in blood with their jaws locked on each others throats strangling each other to death and you cannot make them let go? Now imagine one of the dogs is your baby/child.

I am sorry to be frightening and dramatic but a baby is vulnerable and a dog is a strong and powerful animal.

Your baby cannot be the boss of a dog.

charlie said in her op "obviously I don't leave them alone"

I do realise that a baby can't be the boss of a dog, but I meant that in pecking order terms, I wanted the dog to know her place!
Thanks for all the great advice, I will get in touch with the vet, and in the meantime be calm/assertive- (anyone got Cesar Milan's number btw!) & I'm also going to cordon off part of the room, (its quite a long living/dining room) that I can split in half, to seperate them, so I can at least put the baby down while I pop into the kitchen!

If i had ceasar milans number i would be keeping it all to myself - and then go out and buy a really naughty dog!

He's my hero!

But he hardly ever deals with the dogs - its the owners - like Dog Borstal!

I wouldn't say he's my hero - just incredibly Calm/Assertive and i find that very attractive in a man!! That and his accent - swoon!! . I actually think apart from the calm assertiveness with the dogs (which i admit is half the battle) I don't actually like his methods. The poking the dogs is going to get him bitten, there are more subtle ways of establishing dominance, and i have been at the collars - bloody spiked choke chains (i actually had to pause the TV once because i coudlnt believe my eyes - thank god they are illegal over here). Saying that, he must do something right to be able to have 30 (i think its 30) dogs roaming in his centre without it kicking off!!

You are right though, it is about the owner as you have to be confident - ive seen so many owners hesitant and almost scared of their own dogs. They are the ones who get bitten and can't understand why their dogs are the way they are.

Piggle i don't think you are a rubbish o by the way - quite the opposite actually, just commenting on the show.

Is he that dog whisperer bloke who's on Sky? If so, his methods are really poor, from what I have seen.

If it's any help, we used a travel cot in our living room so DS could be put down somwehere safe with his toys while I answered the door, did the laundry, made a cuppa etc

I reckon all the dog trainers on the telly spout a load of bullshit tbh! But with ceasar i don't care - he just chills me out!!! Im very highly strung so if he has that affect on me, he probably affects the owners in the same way and the dogs! Its an eye candy thing

Yes there's definately something about him, I wouldn't mind 5minutes with him (for the dogs!!)
Dividing the room up - since yesterday, is working quite well, I guess it can only be a short term solution though, or do you think that over time dog will come to accept baby- (through the barricades)?! Or, will having a divide set up a 'them & us' mentality for the dog, resulting in dog hating baby?
I want to feel I've exhausted all possibilities before going down rehoming route -Don't worry Abetadad, obviously not at expense of DD tho!

I think most of the problems with dogs on these programmes stems from people getting dogs that are totally the wrong breed for them and then treating them like their babies. I have been guilty of babying my first dog - she was just so tiny when we first got her and I used to pick her up all the time - resulting in a not very well socialised little dog that was afraid of everything and showed it by being aggressive. Much hard work later and she is lovely but I didn't make that mistake again with the second one and she is so much more confident.

Anyway, back to the OP a travel cot is a very handy thing - especially when they are mobile as then you know they can be put down safely (am assuming your dogs will not attempt to get in).

Really do give the crate idea some thought though - not sure of the size of your other dog but if it wont fit in the just use it for the terrier. As long as they have had plenty of exercise they will be ok in there to sleep and lounge in and once they realise they are not able to be disturbed in there will be quite happy with the set up.

We use a large parrot bowl hooked onto the side for water as if you leave a bowl on the floor it tends to get in the bedding and everything gets wet.

They are fairly expensive new but we got one second hand on ebay - one meant for big dogs but it is perfect for our Jack Russells for about £20.

Your dog wont think of it as a cage - I know this puts a lot of people off - it will be her bed and her refuge and will take up a lot less space than giving her half the room.

I wish you the best of luck, I know I would be devastated if I had to rehome one of mine and although dd comes first now I would want to try everything as well before I had to do that.

Yes I will look into a crate, I just wish I'd used one from the start as now I worry that the dog won't want to go in it, she gets very scared of inanimate objects - she's a nervous dog, unlike my other dog who's the most laid back creature you'd ever meet, anyway definitely worth a try- thanks!