My dog went for my 18 month old

[tobytoes]

I have two Bichon Frise both have been spolit since ive had them,one is 8 and the other 7. Since having my baby they have been okay with her,just curious but never showed any sign of aggression atall. Now my daughter is getting older and has found her feet she has also realised we have the two dogs and will not leave them alone,she pulls their ears hits them all sorts,everytime I tell her off and I have showed her countless times how to stroke them nicely. Today she grabbed the older dog by his ears and would not let go I was shouting and trying to get her hands off him and the dog went for her just as she released her grip,I managed to pull her up as i already had hold of her hands. My question is what do i do? This is not my dogs fault and my husband is all up for shipping them off to his mums to live. What would you do?

Oh OK, I didn't realise that his 'interest' (for want of a better word) had dramatically dropped.

A couple of practical ideas which work with my DD and the dogs

Take more than one leads with you and let DD hold one while you hold the second one (both on the same dog obviously!).

Get DD involved with training the dogs. Simple commands like sit and down after which she can reward the dogs will teach her new ways of interacting with the dogs. The same with grooming provided the dogs like to be groomed.

Instead of saying no give DD very immediate consequences, eg "do not pull the dog's hair because it hurts. If you pull the dog's hair again aim a taking the dog away". If you go through with this threat a couple of times she should learn very quickly.

Your dogs are quite small and a bit older would it not be best for them to be rehomed to your mil as your dh has suggested. I have similar dogs to you and your post is just upsetting to think dogs are put in this position where they are being effectively attacked.

Ill just leave hubby as he is. To be honest I think i should just concentrate on my baby and dogs for now and get them sorted and getting on a bit better.
Thanks for the tips boo some good ideas there.
bella totally understand where your coming from byt just to let u know tbis has been going on for about 3 weeks so it hasnt been months and months. The suggestions ive had on here have been brilliant and have worked. My dogs are mostly separated from my little girl now. I love my dogs so much and this is why i am posting on here

Haha. Im such a stress head. As soon as i have a problem such as this i stress and stress and wont rest until i have it sorted or a plan in place. I feel better now :-)

That's great, toby.

Being stressed about it shows you care and want to change things for the better which is never a bad thing.

Thanks everyone. Youve all been great and your help

Pushed post too soon....your help has b

And again...stupid phone. Your help has been so great and solved my proble

Hi, I really feel for you I was in exactly the same situation 12 years ago. My two year old was terrorising my lhaso apso and she would growl and snap at her (rightly so). I ended up rehoming the dog through the breed rescue who had people on the waiting list. I felt it wasn't fair on the dog, child or myself as everybody was a nervous wreck. Gates are good but children can still reach through them and do you want to spend your life worrying all the time. Sometimes it is a hard decision to make but if you can find a really nice home, the dogs would be happier and your lives will be less fraught. Its nobodies fault just very unfortunate. I was very upset for a while after but knew it was for the best. Don't beat yourself up about it.

Please remember that the child is the problem not the dog. Perhaps being on her back about the situation and telling her off is the solution, more so than the dog. Your dogs seem lovely though and seem to have a great temperament!

My dogs are pretty fab and they have been so patient. Im walking them as much as i can also which is helping. My little baby girl has got alot to learn but we'll get there,shes getting older everyday and itll get easier.

That's all really good, Toby.

We have a retractable pet barrier - might work better than stair gate for wide doorway ? It's great because when not in use it's rolled up & very discreet. ( we have double doors off kitchen so needed something 180 cm wide )

toby you come across as such an optimistic, determined and caring person and your daughter will benefit so much from this and the new boundaries you are putting down. children, like dogs, need boundaries but its so easy to forget and do what will make them happy in the short time. i often have to remind myself of this.

Just wanted to update and let you all know that everythi g you all suggested has worked and actually now my daughter is brilliant with my two dogs. She strokes them nicely and gives them treats as suggested by someone on here and its really helped them to bond. Since this post I havnt had even 1 incident,my dogs are happy and so is my daughter and now im finding that I dont have to use the gate as much. My daughter has found it hard but shes learnt,not without quite a few tears and tantrums but it had to be done. Thankyou munsnet. :-)