Patterdale terriers and babies.....

[Starlight84]

Anyone any experience?? My very lively 2 year old patterdale gets on great with my 14&11yr old daughters but I’m getting mixed reviews about them with babies. I know the little monkey will chew the toys no doubt and I’m not naive enough to leave my dog alone with a baby but It makes me upset when people say you may have to rehome him. It’s not something I could do lightly and definitely not before I’ve had my baby and sussed for myself how he will be. He’s like my little shadow! Just lively and excitable! Thank you xx

I have an incredibly lively 18 month old Jack Russel cross, and I'm having the same thoughts. He's so lovely and friendly with everyone he meets but I'm concerned about how he will be around a newborn. Obviously never alone together etc, but in general. He also barks at every noise ever which I know is going to be a problem. I don't have any advice but I'm definitely in the same boat!

Not quite the same but I had an 18 month old, very lively and very spoilt pug when DC1 was born. I was told by a few that I'd need to rehome him/he would be jealous of the baby etc.

Really needn't have worried, I don't think he could have loved her any more. He was really quite calm around her, wanted to be close to her whenever possible in a non aggressive way. No jealousy at all in the last 5 years which was the main concern.

I would try not to worry too much, you know your own dog better than anyone shouting rehome. There is a few sites that gives advice in how to prepare your dog for a baby coming into your home, I did buy into it and follow it to the letter but most of it was common sense really - some of it pretty sure was a waste of time but hey.

Enjoy both your dog and new baby when the time comes

My daughter had a patterdale/Lakeland cross, and she was very complex and overexcitable, always.
The thing was, she was always desperate to please my daughter, so you could see her struggling between her instincts and what she knew to be expected behaviour.

I was very uneasy about her being around my grandchildren when they were little, but then I'm quite nervous of excitable dogs.

Ours is fine around our toddler but is maybe not as excitable as some.

My Patterdale was a rescue so I have no idea how old she was, probably about 7...we had her 3 weeks when I found out I was pregnant. I had Hg and she used to sit with me by the loo as I threw up for hours and just lick my hand... She was my shadow.

When dd was born she was amazing! She would lie on my lap under dd while I fed her because I have a buggered shoulder and would struggle to hold dd in one position for the length of her bottle feed. Dog would sit under the moses basket/cot if dd was asleep... She would come and lick my hand if dd murmured and I was asleep (and nip my finger tips if she thought I wasn't getting up fast enough!)

She had really tight curls on her ruff, dd would grab at them and pull, we would stop her and take her hand to show her how to stroke, dog never batted an eyelid.

We had heard of one's who hated babies for the noise etc, but with my dog she was amazing! She loves dd to bits and would have let her do pretty much anything to her!

I was gutted when she developed dementia and we had to put her down... She became very aggressive toward a our other dog... Like trying to rip his throat out. I couldn't risk her hurting a person so had her pts.

Every dog is different, you know yours. If she/he is good with your older kids and you teach baby from the word go to give it space and be gentle you will probably be fine.

But remember any dog can turn if frightened or threatened

I have a three year old miniature schnauzer and a newborn. The dog is not great around young children, he doesn't like their quick movements, or the high-pitched noises they make and barks at them out of fear whilst standing behind me. He's an otherwise happy, friendly dog. I was very nervous about when I would bring my newborn home.

When other family members were holding the baby, he was curious but not jealous. When I was holding the newborn, he was very jealous. Whining, barking and trying to jump up at the baby in my arms and being quite aggressive. It was very stressful but a few things helped.

1. I showed attention to the dog whilst holding the baby. That was either by throwing a toy to play fetch or giving him a good scratch behind the ears whilst talking to him calmly.
2. Making the dog sleep downstairs. He'd previously sleep in my bed or bedroom. It helped to establish a bit of space. Plus the dog's sleep wasn't interrupted when baby cried through the night.
3. Spending one on one time with the dog, either taking him for a walk without baby or having play time with him.

I have to say my partner was very good during this time and I think it helps if you have another person to either distract the dog or discipline them whilst the baby is around as you can't always do both when holding a newborn.

After about a week, the dog stopped being jealous and realised I still loved him AND the baby. He doesn't jump up when I'm holding the baby now, or bark when he cries. He also really enjoys his own space downstairs and snuggles up happily next to me on the sofa when I'm feeding baby.

I wouldn't leave them alone together but that's just common sense.

I hope you have a good experience and congratulations on your pregnancy.

When my GS was a new baby my terrier behaved as if he was a rodent. It was quite terrifying to see. She'd never seen a baby before and, I'm assuming, saw him as a some moving, squeaking rat. Normally she has this high pitched yelping noise when she's after a rat and she made the same noise around the baby.
My DD and I acted accordingly and the dog was never ever loose around him until he was up and walking. My terrier never snapped or hurt the baby in any way as she wasn't given the chance but I've no doubts she would have.
Once she realised this was a human she has been devoted and is a very sweet natured dog anyway. However I wouldn't trust any dog with a baby particularly a new one

Awww thanks for sharing ladies. This has put my mind at ease!! You wouldn’t believe what I’ve heard! Yes I know they are hunting dogs so they have those instincts instilled....you should see the way he goes for the cat!! But they work it out!!
Hes crate trained. To the point I’ve tried putting a bed in the kitchen so he has some freedom without having access to the whole house. He cried so much until I put him in his crate. He loves the closeness and security. So I haven’t got that to worry about. I’ve had a stair gate on my stairs the day he came so he’s never been upstairs. So again that’s something already in place. So it’s not like I’ll be stopping him doing things just because a baby is suddenly here!

@OldAndWornOut my mum is worried about him but 1 she doesn’t like dogs anyway and 2 she always brings my cat a treat and not buddy so he always jumps up at her trying to get it!

Seems from what I’ve heard female patterdales aren't as bad as males so maybe over time he will calm! My friend has a female from a previous litter where buddy came from and he’s has been fine. Does have epilepsy though so may have changed her temperament!

You have all reassured me so that’s great. I did say to friends the worse thing I can do is shut him away etc. He needs to see/smell the baby else he won’t ever learn how to behave around him. Will just be done in a controlled manner! My dad will take him for twice daily walks (I’m having a section!) so definitely can’t risk him pulling me at the start!

Here’s a a pic of mr butter wouldn’t melt! Xx

@PearlHeart3 thank you for that. That was exactly what I was thinking about fussing him with the baby etc but making sure he has time alone with me.
He loves curling on the sofa at night with me and hope he still loves doing that as well.

I love my dog and people really dont get how much it can upset us when they mention rehoming. Especially if they say it in front of my girls! Luckily they are older so know it wouldn’t happen.
So sad the amount of dogs you see (or used to see) on Facebook saying looking to rehome my dog now our baby is here. I guess it just takes time and effort xx

If you have a close bond with your dog they would of sensed the changes in your body going through pregnancy already and have more idea of what's going on than you think, it's not the same as introducing them to an unknown. Smell wise, baby will smell of you (their pack) so they're not normally aggressive but protective. I used to have a patterdale who could be snappy with other dogs and shy with people, but completely different with his 'pack.'

I had my DS and about to have another with my current terrier (different breed but similar.) he's always been good as gold, patient but takes himself off when he's had enough. When DS was a baby he always kept guard at the crib and when I was feeding, like you my terrier is my shadow and goes everywhere with us.

2 tips- when you bring baby home first make a fuss of DDog who would of missed you whilst you were in hospital. Then (staying close!) lie baby on the floor for dog to sniff, don't be tempted to always keep dog away from baby. Dogs rely on smell and this will help him understand baby is family. Also, when you can spend time with your dog in your own. I would nip out for a quiet walk between feeds, or have a cuddle whilst baby was sleeping so our dog knew not to be jealous or that he'd been replaced. Good luck and enjoy your new family!

We have a patterdale cross and a 9 month old. Does he like DS? No, probably not really. But he's no trouble. Our midwife just told us to not start getting dog gates and shutting him in or out of rooms, and just let him decide where he wants to be. He normally chooses to hang out in another room to us now if he wants to sleep, although the last few months he has been more willing to sleep in the lounge while we're in there playing. DS can crawl now and adores DDog so there is quite a bit of chasing after him to do to stop him pestering the dog but if DDog isn't keen he just heads off to another room and we just leave him be. I just give him lots of cuddles on the sofa when DS sleeps! I'd much rather have it this way round than have a dog who adores DS and then gets over protective of him

I have two Patterdale and three kids. One was 18 months when I had my first child. He was protective over the baby. My other dog was a pup just after my last child. They all get on fine.

@billandbenflowerpotmen1 patterdales are known as “ratters” and used to go down holes to kill rats etc! That’s why he goes mad when I let him loose in fields. Apart from chewing things he shouldn’t he’s a great house dog but you can see the hunting instincts kick in on his walks!! Some countries they hunt raccoons!
They cry bit is interesting as someone said a newborn cry sounds like a hares and her terrier used to prepare for attack each time!! Wasn’t a patterdale though! Xx

@Starlight84 I'm sure my Donut has Patterdale in him! Your picture just jumped out and I can see similar features in your dog and mine!

@bumpysleighridejack thank you. Great tips there.

@GinGeum good advice about not changing the house! I’m pleased there’s always been a stair gate up now!

@Amicompletelyinsane that’s lovely to hear! I’m pleased they all get on! I couldn’t imagine 2 of buddy though!! Are they better with another patterdale you think?? Not that I could have another! Just curious! Xx

Oh, and he was great when we first came home from hospital, I was worried because we'd gone from having a home birth to being in hospital for a week, so the last time he saw me I was in distress and then didn't come home for a week. I had a little hat that DS had worn and came up to the house first with DH and DS trailing behind, and he was so calm. I gave him the hat, he wasn't remotely interested, just came over wagging his tail but being much more calm and gentle than usual. We let him sniff a couple of nappies but then left him to it after that.

@Andersonx3 omg how cute!! Hmmmm it’s the eyes/face!! Looks like there could be some! Xx

@GinGeum oh my. Sounds like an eventful birth. Im glad all is ok. I don’t think we give dogs enough credit for their intelligence!

Talking of hats buddy keeps getting hold of a knitted bobble hat 😂 he’s desperate for the Pom Pom! The hat is now upstairs before it won’t be worth the baby wearing it! Xx

Please don't rehome your dog because you're having a baby. I know MN generally hates pets and sees them as disposable and you'll no doubt get lots of posts telling you just to throw him out the door but it really - in most instances- is a horrible thing to do.

Start getting him prepared - play babies crying on YouTube (there are special videos on there). Let him see all the stuff you are getting.

When I had my DS my DDog actually went to pieces - he is very much my dog and clingy and had a bit of a panic. You might want to think about some plug in calmers or a collar and we had to use some medication from the vet. After two/three days when he realised he wasn't pushed out he was absolutely fine. He actually started checking where the baby was and more fretting over him being ok. I never pushed him out - don't lock him in rooms/shout at him etc we do have a gate separating out two living areas but this was never a punishment it was more to give him some space.

If you put him in a crate let him have a treat or a Kong or something so it's nice and try to keep his routine the same. I had a CS but as soon as I could I went back to his daily walks. It did me good to get out and have some fresh air.

DS is now 5 and they're inseparable.

We have an Airedale so not exactly the same, but she's been amazing with our newborn.

My Patterdale cross adores my DTGS, he seemed to know instinctively to be gentler and quieter when they were newborns. Now they're older he retreats to his crate when the mayhem is too much.

@Greyhound22 bud only goes in his crate at bedtime or when we go out. Has the same treat each time he goes in so he knows it’s crate time. Never has this treat at another time. It’s funny as soon as he hears me say Alexa play.....he comes running from wherever he is, watches me go for the treat them gets in his crate ready! It’s lovely! He also knows when he’s going in the crate due to me going work or out and when he’s in it because it’s bedtime!

Funny you should say about crying noises. After someone mention the hare thing I did play a baby crying! He didn’t bat an eyelid!

I’ve had my dog 2 years and couldn’t imagine him not being here so friends and my mum saying about rehoming it won’t be happening! I live in rented accommodation so while my landlord is happy for him to be here I’ve always kept him to just downstairs so won’t change anything to downstairs once my baby is here.

@Warmhandscoldheart @Rainbowhairdontcare those pics!! How adorable! And congratulations!!

Buddy will squeeze between me and my girls on the sofa over being on his own any day!! I really see now that in time he will be like this! Xx

I’ve got a crazy, bouncy border terrier boy. I was also worried about how he would be when DD was born.

From the word go, he has been so gentle and sweet. Obviously I would never leave them alone, but he loves being around her.

We made sure when we brought her home at first that I came in on my own, with some treats and a fuss for him (we were in hospital for a week), then DH brought DD in.

DD is 2.5 now and they are the absolute best of friends. She talks about him all the time, and I’m sure if he could speak he would talk about her!

@Sipperskipper I’ll remember treats and to come in first on my own. The friend can bring in the baby!! Thank you!! Xx