How can we help MIL's dog adjust to having to be in the kitchen when we visit?

[Filimou]

OK so a few months ago MIL's dog 'went for' (sorry Im not sure what the term is), my 2 yo ds. It was unprovoked, all DS did was stumble over on the floor in front of the couch where the dog was lying. DS went to get up an d the dog lunged at him, mouth open, teeth out. Had it not been for me getting my hand/arm in the way the dog would have DS's face in its mouth.
The dog has always been treated a bit like their baby in the house and is a bit spoilt.
It was agreed that the dog would be shut in the kitchen (they have like a baby gate at the kitchen door so the dog cannot get out) when we come to visit. However, after a short time the dog starts barking and whining and trying to scratch at the gate to come out. It is clearly not happy in there and so MIL goes into the kitchen to sit with it.
So, I am looking for advice really, how can we help her to help it get used to being in the kitchen, as our visits seem to be getting shorter and shorter as she has to go sit with the dog or the dogs noise becomes too much for DS.

I think in that situation a gate is worse as he can see, but not get in...I'd shut him away somewhere quieter if he was mine and give him something to keep him busy, a stuffed kong or something.

Can they just not visit you at your house instead ,it sounds too stressful for all concerned including the dog.

I would say her going into the kitchen and sitting it is re-enforcing the dogs behaviour.

I am not sure of a way around it......would she get a behaviourist in?

Would she consider a dog walker to take it out for an adventure while her GC visited? or a doggy daycare?

Why can't the dog be given a really amazingly yummy long lasting treat, such as a Kong stuffed with meat paste and hot dog chunks, or a treat ball filled with cat kibble? If it gets something delicious and exciting every time it is relegated to the kitchen it will soon start to be much happier about the whole thing. Give the treat as soon as you arrive, not once the noise starts. And for a while try to leave before he gets upset, so he doesn't learn that making a fuss brings someone to him.

This will work even better if your MIL does it regularly while you're not there too, of she's up for it.

Incidentally, what you describe is not unprovoked. It's a massive ask to expect a dog to tolerate something as terrifyingly unpredictable as a toddler, lurching about in its space, all flailing arms and sudden movements and squeaky noises. The dog was scared and defending itself or its sofa, perfectly reasonably (in the dog world anyway). The kitchen solution is a sensible one.

Thanks for the responses. Will definitely get a nice kong (?) for mil to give the dog.
flora She doesnt come visit, we do ask, a lot, but she doesnt like leaving the dog.
death I suppose I used the term unprovoked as ds hadnt touched her or anything, but never really looked at it like that.

Filim it will help if you try to see it from the dog's perspective. That's why so many children get bitten - humans expect dogs to tolerate really difficult situations, which isn't fair. Some dogs can be socialised and trained to be calm in such circumstances but it is pretty instinctive for them to feel threatened by little children. If we try to understand the dog's motivations and see the world through their eyes, we become much more successful at avoiding flash points such as the one you describe in your OP and then everyone is happier and safer :)