babies and dogs - what are your experiences?

[user765]

We have a staffie who we rescued 3 years ago and had our new baby 15 weeks ago now. He is an excitable dog when people come to the door but mostly just sleeps all day and is otherwise chilled out. He has been absolutely fine with baby. Obviously interested at first and had a sniff etc. Also tries to lick her feet sometimes like he does with us but no aggression whatsoever. We are not as stupid and naive to think he will always be fine and never leave her alone with him and have stair gate to keep him downstairs.

The main issue is that mother in law is obbsessed with dogs attacking babies and is convinced he will turn on her. Everytime she comes round she just goes on about it. Now she says she wants to speak to me about it and I feel like I have done something wrong!

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences, either with dogs or family members!

Very excitable labxcollie who was 6 years old at the time. I was sensible and never left them alone together. I had all the child gates but was happy to have the dog and baby together when I was present. Never any issues. I knew my dog did not have an aggressive bone in her body and I was right. My normally very submissive dog refused to let other dogs near her pram. It was strange to see her so protective.
Now 7 years on they are as tight as can be. My only worry now is how DD is going to cope when our old girl dies. Luckily she is still very lively and the vet reckons she has a few more years left in her.

I had a black lab when my first DC was born. He was fabulous with her. We went to a fair bit of trouble to include him in things, he loved his walks and got very excited when baby went in her pram
The kids grew up with him being around and they had a fab relationship, very very hard when they go through.
In my opinion children and dogs go together fabulously, all it takes is a bit of training (especially for the DC )
Your MIL sounds a bit nutty.

My 2 labs were 7 when I had my ds, they were interested in him but ds was never left unattended with the dogs. The dogs were also very protective of ds. I remember the midwife coming round at 10 days old and remarking how lovely it was to see ds in Moses basket with a dog asleep either side of him. I would just assure your mil that dc will never be left with dog alone and refuse to enter into any further discussion, then draw a line under the matter.

Oh yes and if ds woke up one of my labs used to stick his head in the Moses basket and gently nuzzle his side to try and calm him down, they were very soppy. And when ds was walking he used to use the dogs as a foot stool by standing on their heads to get on the sofa. :)

The main problem we had with ddog was his tendency to view any strangers approaching dd's pram as dangerous baby-stealing hooligans.

This was unfortunate, given that we lived in Spain where everyone, but especially charming elderly people, like to coo over your baby, pick them up, cuddle them . . . not quite so mellow with a large husky cross barking at full 'DANGER DANGER' volume and straining at his leash or hurling himself against the door if shut in