Puppy and Baby

[DocsRock]

We have a 9 month old pup and a 4 month old baby. They are both absolutely amazing and they do spend time together but only if either me or DH is holding our baby as our pup is understandly very excited but is very clumsy!

Any tips on how we can encourage our pup to be more careful around our baby?

What kind of pup is s/he? Just wondering about size!

Think the best answer is it should resolve itself when pup is older and calmer! Sorry!
But other than that, try to make baby boring? So maybe one of you sit on the floor holding baby and the other is ready to play a different game/do some training with pup? The one holding baby doesn't look at pup at all. If pup starts to investigate baby, the second person starts training/playing to distract? Just kind of acclimatise pup to baby being there without trying to 'introduce' them, kind of thing?

@FeistySheep Thankyou for responding He's a labrador but hes huge already!

I will definitely try that Any tips on him not pinching her stuff?

Haha does he? Like he thinks they're toys that he can play with? If so, I think just keep plugging away at that one. Every time he does it, take it off him and use the same phrase (such as 'not for you' or something), then immediately give him his own toy instead. We have a similar situation with inside toys and outside toys and this seems to work. Occasionally dog transgresses but she looks guilty so she definitely knows!

I also have a lab pup with young kids and she steals things. The only way I can stop her is to put it out of reach. I’ve been working on the drop which is going well.

Our pup thrives on attention so if I stand with my back to her until she sits and then speak to her she is much calmer. Maybe when you hold the baby try that and only interact when they sit/calm. Also I’ve been getting mine to lie down to settle at meal times etc. So I get her to lie down and give treats and repeat repeat repeat. She’s now started to lie down by herself and wait for the good stuff. Good luck!

@FeistySheep Just her stuff in general. Most of her toys are wipeable so thats a positive.

@Hightideattheseaside We do try and keep things out of reach but there's always something he bloody finds 🙈 He also thrives on attention so will definitely give this a go!