Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Dog and toddler troubles

3 replies

Silkymoon · 13/05/2023 20:04

Long post sorry! have a 5 month old bishon cross, plus 6 year old and 19 month old kids. Puppy was abondoned at 6 weeks old, we'd been thinking about getting a dog in a couple of years when kids were older but he came along and we ended up taking him in, a 'good deed' I guess I thought (I am stupid). Toddler has been around dogs in the family since born and never shown much interest to be honest so I naively thought it would be ok, but every waking minute since he arrived she's been obsessed, squeals whenever she sees him, if allowed anywhere near him will try and grab at him to pull him for 'a cuddle'. I realise the danger to both her and dog and keep them separate, gates everywhere etc but I am finding it incredibly logistically and mentally hard. Today the 6 year old left a gate open and the dog ran in, toddler immediately grabbed him hard and in the split second it took me to pick him up he snapped at her, catching my hand and drawing blood. To be completely honest I feel we are the wrong home for him and can see an accident could easily happen and hate that they are both now restricted. but equally not sure if I could cope with the guilt and sadness of rehoming and wonder if i can just get through it all until she's older. Has anyone been through the dog and toddler thing and come out the other side? It could be years, I know.

OP posts:
anunlikelyseahorse · 13/05/2023 21:50

You really only have two choices, 1) get firm with your toddler and make it clear she doesn't grab him. 2) rehome your dog.
Realistically 2 is the most sensible option because; this is a miserable situation for everyone, your dog is clearly stressed, your toddler hasn't got impulse control yet...because y' know she's just a toddler. You'll never train your 6 yr old to keep gates and doors shut. At some stage you won't be there and your little one will get nipped, causing even more stressed to an already stressed household. I think rehoming would be the kindest option for your dog too.
Oh and get some armour on, this is mumsnet which is completely dogcentric, and you'll doubtless get some shitty replies, but no judgment from me, you couldn't possibly have known how things would play out, and some toddlers are more 'grabby' than others said with bitter experience at a having a hair grabber. I sometimes wish we could have crystal balls!

HappiestSleeping · 13/05/2023 23:32

I agree with the previous post unfortunately. The chances of the toddler getting nipped are quite high. The severity of it is completely unpredictable. If it really were just a nip, that could teach impulse control, but very unlikely.

You are stuck between a rock and a hard place unless you can work out a bomb proof way of segregating them for the short term.

pookiedoodlepuppy · 14/05/2023 00:40

You would probably get more advice in the Parenting advice page .

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread