Hi....... I am actually from the UK not, been naughty and made up a zip code. Found this website useful when looking up dog aggression. My little boy has just turned 3 months, me nad my partner own a staffordshire bull terrier who is now 1 - the dog we have had since he was 12 weeks old came here xmas day last year. He has never shwn any signs of physical aggression but have now noticed hehas started to change, he is still very loveable and loves people and other dogs. He has started to guard the house now growling at the door, noticed he is more weary of certain people or dogs when out on walks.
Now for the most impotant part, a few days ago I put the baby on a playmatt and the dog came over and growled twice. When the baby is on my lapp he comes over and licks the babys head, hands or feet. This is the first time the dog has behaved like this towards the baby. I immediatley disciplined the dog and sent him out of the room, the one good thing I have is the authority with the dog he sees me as the pack leader. I tried to think why and put it down to the dog plays on the rugg that the playmatt was on think he was trying to show that was his - he also gets sulky has ignored me all morning head buried into his bed.
Don't want to get rid of the dog he is part of the family but our baby comes first. Any suggestions would be m ost appreciated.
P.S The dog has been neuted and very well trained I don't believe in having a dog rule its owners. Thanks for all the great advice, still feel extremely torn and in two minds on what to do. To be quite honest I feel devistated.
My friend had a pit bull and had five kids. He was fine for several YEARS, and then one day latched onto one of the kids' head, almost killing him, and scarring him for life. Needless to say, they put the dog down. If I even THOUGHT that it might happen, I would get another dog. One that knew the baby was also a pack leader.
Hi R.,
As an animal behaviorist myself, I agree about the jealousy along with the dog trying to assert himself over the baby. Showing the dog that the behavior on the play mat was inappropriate was a great start. Also ensure you praise your dog when he displays positive behavior towards your child. When the child is at his level, it's a whole different ball park for him v. when your baby is on your lap. Also, is your dog getting enough exercise? A great bonding time for you, your dog, and your baby is to take DAILY walks together. You're doing great- just make sure to keep at him and do NOT leave your baby alone near the dog until you are 100% certain the behavior has changed. Most dogs get used to babies relatively quickly once they realize the baby is above the dog in the pack. Then they get defensive and protective of the baby (probably why you've noticed the dog being more responsive towards guests, etc.). If you are still having problems, please get a dog behaviorist/trainer to your home ASAP BEFORE someone gets hurt. Good luck!
if your baby truly "comes first" you will not risk for one second something happening and have that dog removed permanently from your home. good luck.
We have a dog named Sugar. She is a cross between a chow and an australian shepherd. When our daughter was at the stage of crawling - Sugar was not very happy about it. She was afraid of the baby. Our dog is very vocal - so when the baby would come her way, she would growl to tell her to go away. My husband disciplined her each and every time she did it. Never did Sugar get aggressive - she simply got vocal. That was 3 years ago. Today Sugar never growls at the kids. She does protect the house and goes crazy at the door when the mail man comes, but she is THE BEST DOG we have ever owned. Just be aware of what you are doing. Do not leave the child unattended with the dog until you are SURE that it's temper is controlled. It is funny that your dog sulks - so does Sugar, but still continue to treat the bad behavior with discipline as soon as it happens. Your dog needs to know his place. God bless your family.
One word-jealousy. Your dog sees the baby as competition. I would say to get the Dog Whisperer because you don't want to get rid of the dog. A more realistic solution is to get an animal behaviorist. I have a friend who does that. They have a degree in this and can help you out with ideas of how to rectify the situation. I don't have a dog-only cats and they don't care. However, I know of the jealousy problems with dogs. Good luck to you.
R.
have you heard of the dog Whisperer?
Google dogwhisperer.com
Hope this helps
G.T
keep being alpha and correcting him but don't leave him alone with the child on the floor until the child is older and you have watched the dog have reliable positive behavior and then teach the child appropriate alpha behavior so that he doesn't inadvertently play with the dog incorrectly because you can't keep a dog that bites kids - dogs are an awesome addition to family life when they know their place - good luck
Hello R..
You've gotten a great deal of good advise here, and I don't think I can improve upon it.
I agree with those who have said you're doing fine in disciplining your pet, and protecting your child. Aside from it being a bit chilly this time of year, no harm can come from taking your pet for extra walks or from rewarding the behavior you prefer from your pet with treats or extra attention. I would consider it wise as well, to restrict your pet's access to your baby during time on the floor until you are certain that your dog has adjusted to your new addition, and to continue to monitor your pet's behavior as your baby goes through his milestones.
This is not to say that there is no risk. There are no guarantees. However, logically, we know there are millions of children growing up with millions of dogs and surviving to adulthood. I see no reason in your situation to assume that's going to be any different or to rattle off the statistically rare horror stories of children being harmed by previously presumably non-aggressive dogs. Given the amount of interaction you have compared to what your dog has, your child has more likelihood of coming to harm at your hands than he does from your dog.
I think it's alarmist and extremist to state that you must get rid of the dog immediately for one growl. Everybody in your household is going to have growing pains adjusting to your new baby, including your dog. It does not sound to me like you have a high risk situation occurring or that you are dealing with an aggressive breed. Reasonability would indicate keeping an eye on your dog around all people including your baby for the time being. If the behavior increases, get some help and take more precautions until you can. Though I'm not an advocate of the Dog Whisperer, some of what he has to say may give you ideas about how you want to handle your situation. You may also like The Dog Listener. She's from your side of the pond, and I prefer her methods.
My son is 4. I have had 4 Border Collies since before he was born. Once he was born, I had varying degrees of the same behaviors you're seeing with all of them, from increased guarding the house, guarding me and the baby, guarding only me, guarding only the baby, guarding the baby from each other and other people, and guarding the baby from me, etc.. To this day, they are alert and aware of where he is every time he's around. Though they have growled at him, especially when he was on the floor and when he was first learning how to pet them, they have never bitten him or anyone else. He now leads them around, helps feed, wash, brush and walk them, and has them taking turns sleeping with him in his room. They are his "friends", and he learns a lot from having them around.
Hang in there. I think you're all going to be fine.
R.,
First of all you did not state if your dog was fixed or not? If not get it done NOW!! He is now a teenager & trying to find his place & will challenge you & getting that under control to start would be to neuter him. Then hire a trainer. You need to socialize your dog with ALL people & animals so he doesnt show any aggression. I dont care what breed he is, that is NOT the problem. DOnt leave him alone w/ your kid but let him be near & with your kid. Also you need to not ignore him becasue he is getting jealous ( he was the baby). IF you dont want him on the kids matt, then when he does tell him off & back him up. when he does that give him a treat, soon he will relate treats to off the mat, then you can do the bedroom or where ever you dont want him at different times. good luck
