Dog afraid of 2 year old

[HotMessMama]

I recently became the owner of a 6 month old male French Bulldog, he has come from a home with adults and other dogs but no children. I have 2 children, a 6 year old and a 2 year old.

The dog appears comfortable around my 6 year old but is really not comfortable around my 2 year old (I understand why, she’s loud, fast and impulsive!)

I’ve never left the 2 of them unattended together and my daughter has never hurt the dog, he’s not shown any signs of aggression but will literally shake with fear in her presence.
I’m worried he may snap at her, does anyone have any advice?

Oh dear OP, how did you just end up rehoming a dog without looking in to this before he came in to your home?

id get baby gates, a crate and room dividers and keep them separate with a safe space for the dog

then get a behaviourist in and start doing some proper desensitising and training with the dog

Easier said that done with a 2 year old but get your daughter involved in feeding and games so that dog associates your daughter with good things. Start with lots of distance between them e.g. child sits on sofa and throws a treat towards the dog, allow dog to get the treat in his own time. Have you daughter put food in the dogs bowl at dinner time or throw a ball for him. As much as you can keeping noise and sudden movements at a minimum.

Its important your dog has his own space where he knows he is safe such as a crate or a room, somewhere quiet and out of the way. The children must never go in there. Some dogs need more space than a crate, this is an example of what I have set up for my dog. When he’s getting overwhelmed by the chaos of children, I encourage him in there with a chew so he can have his space to relax.

Do you know anything about this dog's background? Why was he re-homed and why did you decide to take him with small DC in the home?

He may not have lived with children but he could still have had a bad experience which means he's now terrified. He's also in a brand new environment with new people which means it's probably even harder for him.

I would get the help of a behaviourist (NOT a trainer) who can come to your home and see everyone together - but until then, the dog and the 2yo need to be separated unless you are right there to supervise and intervene.

I absolutely wouldn’t get your DD doing stuff with the dog just now, not when it’s that terrified... you want no interaction at all from your DD, because scared dogs will still go for a treat or a ball, but it ups the anxiety level and makes it more likely that the dog will do something more.

You want a proper trained qualified behaviourist - and you need to know this might not be a quick fix, you could be months and months having to work on it.

Where did he come from? As in is there a rescue involved that could take him back if needed?

Easier said that done with a 2 year old but get your daughter involved in feeding and games so that dog associates your daughter with good things.

Please, please don't do this. You don't know the history of this dog or how it may behave if it's frightened or startled and if you get it wrong, it could go really, really wrong.

@whataboutsecondbreakfast I’m talking about supervised interaction that is calm with plenty of distance between the dog and child. If the child is unable to do this or the dog is showing increased stress then obviously stop!

I know, but as someone who works with dogs, I would never recommend using any food or toys around a dog who is terrified of children to this extent.

Dogs and toddlers are both fast and unpredictable - this kind of interaction (with a terrified rescue) should only be done under supervision from a behaviourist. It would be different if they'd had the puppy from day one and it was just over-excited.