7mo and tricky dog

[baskethouse]

My mum and dad have 2 dogs, one is large and bumbling and the worst he is capable of is pinching the sock off my baby's foot so gently he doesn't even notice. also, a 9yo yorkie x collie (seriously  ). she's about 6kg but she's very collie like in her behaviour and frankly, quite neurotic and can be snappy with other dogs, and she was recently attacked and injured quite seriously which has made her even more highly strung although physically she's fine now. she is however nothing but sweet and highly obsequious to all humans. she had often been the target of toddlers when out and about as she's little and fluffy and she's gentle and calm never any issues whatsoever. (she is 99% on the lead due to ring unpredictability with dogs who she thinks might like her stick/ball)

my baby is now 7mo and is very keen to explore. yesterday, she growled at him as she had a ball and he was coming in her direction. so nobody needs to tell me she needs to be PTS, rehomed etc as that is absolutely NA. she's never going to be left alone with him, he is always accompanied/supervises, she has plenty of baby free space (big house, 24/7 garden access) and she is a valuable member of the family.

what i would really appreciate is some common sense advice on how i can train her to understand he's not another dog, or cat, he's a human and therefore not a threat to her. she's never really known a child before (only those we pass by on walks) and she finds the whole thing a bit worrying.

Please don't involve your baby in any game. Stood trying to force the dog to interact with the child. The dog is anxious. If the dog and the child go for the ball at the same time your baby could get bitten. Keep them apart until your child is old enough to be calm and predictable around the dog and not provoke a fear response. That could be years.

The clue here is in your description of her previous experiences of small children, describing her as a 'target' might have been inadvertent on yout part but for all you know that us exactly how she feels about toddlers. Most dogs actively dislike very small children with their quick movement and unpredictable nature. Just because she didn't DO anything in those circumstances doesn't mean she was happy and as a novice you are not in a position to have noticed any more subtle body language showing her discomfort.
Keep them apart. No games with a ball definitely. She might comply despite her unease because her desire for her ball is so high but that won't make her any happier about your baby. Plus you are putting her and her most prized possession in the presence of what she is clearly perceiving as a threat.....very dangerous

ok, noted, thank you for your perspectives i will do as you say.

Ffs playing a game with a dog and a baby is risking it walks away in disbelief

@user1499786242 the dog brings the ball and puts it down for the thrower. she does this all day long. if the baby is sitting on my lap while she does this (she does do this) there is absolutely no danger of the dog snapping. shes done this literally hundreds of times in the last 7 months. the time she snapped the baby was on the floor and she came round the corner with her ball they were both on the floor. anyway BYE thanks for nothing hope you can find someone else to take your own personal frustrations out on soon 👏🏾👋🏽