Need Help

I'm afraid I can't offer much advice on this, other than to say that we have the same problem. My parents have 4 dogs. A couple of them are getting old, and one of those actually bit me several years ago when I startled him. So now we are very careful around him. The other 3 don't much like my daughter either. They will either run away or growl at her. Sometimes they will snap at her.

No matter how many times we have firmly said "no" to my daughter and pulled her away from the dogs, she just thinks its funny and goes back to the dog! And we've been fighting this ever since she was able to crawl! (She's 16 months now)

We just make sure that we keep an eye on her and never leave her alone with the dogs. This is a big task when there are 4 dogs!! We also continue to reinforce that she is not to bother the dogs. We continue to tell her "no" and pull her away. I think it's gotten a little better, tho I'm not sure if it's my daughter learning a little or some of the dogs are becoming a little more tolerant of her (or both!).

I'm sure your daughter will eventually understand. Just keep telling her that the dog does not like her climbing on him, it hurts him, or he's sleeping so don't bother him, etc.

We were actually lucky enough to adopt a dog from the Humane Society that LETS my daughter squeeze & hug & lay all over him! And he returns the love by licking my daughter all over her face!

we have the same problem,but we don't have a dog with a good temperment like you do. We have a miniature poodle and we cannot trust the children to leave the dog alone and they are never left unattended. The dog is always in a room with the door closed or with a gate up. He'd be ok if the kids would just leave him alone, but they can't be expected to. My daughter did leave the dog alone around 18 months and we had fewer problems at that age, but as your daughter gets older perhaps she will not bother the dog. It sounds like she's probably fascinated with something about the dog and it should pass. I'm surprised to hear that the breed of your dog and the known temperment has even caused your little girl to cry. Try to keep them separated, especially if you are not going to be in the room.

when we got a new dog my daughter just wanted to love it and the dog didnt want her to. The dog has never bitten her, she just "warns" her. After a few warnings my daughter quit messing with her and now they get along fine. Since you did not see the dog actually bite and there were no bite marks, the dog may have just scared her and that made her cry. Give it a little time and try showing your daughter how to properly pet the dog and see how the two react.

Peggy, I really don't see how B. is "putting the dog before the child." She is simply a first-time mom who had her dog longer and is inexperienced with this type of situation. I don't see any reason for jumping down her throat. My older (7+ yrs old) dog has never been good with kids and I always always always keep an eye on her when she's around my son. I believe there is no reason (other than lack of willing to work with the situation) to get rid of the dog who's probably had little experience with children itself. Unless the dog is vicious and has not been treated right, it can exist in a home with children as long as it is not left alone with them.

I agree with everyone else's advice. Simply keep an eye on the two of them until your daughter is old enough to understand that animals do hurt when being poked, prodded, smacked, or pulled on. Don't leave them alone, but don't isolate the dog either. Always encourage him when he's being tolerable of your daughter's curiosity. Praise him and give him a kiss on the nose and tell him he's a good boy. Same with your daughter; let her gently pat him and praise her when she does it right. There's a pet forum I'm a part of and the people there are amazing when it comes to experience with kids and dogs. If you want, I can PM it to you - just let me know.

B.-

We have a 10 yr old Golden, who is WONDERFUL with both of our children. She lets them climb all over her, and never gets upset. Although I don't think she would ever hurt them, I feel strongly about never leaving a baby in the room with a dog without an adult being present. Being that your dog is probably bigger than your little girl, it would be easy for her to get knocked down, or bitten. I am sure it is hard to watch them all of the time, but if your dog is showing signs of aggression, it is better safe than sorry. Once your little girl is old enough to explain what the dog did, and to understand not to bother the dog, it will be easier for them to be around eachother without supervision.

B.,
If I were to guess what was happening, and I have a lot of dogs and have seen them interact, it is that your daughter is playing with him the only way she knows how, and is bothering or hurting him. His only response/defense is what I call a "snip", where he gives her a warning growl or quick bark and bites the air to tell her to leave him alone. It is a natural response, and is meant to intimidate, which is probably why your daughter starts crying. If you don't see any marks on her, this is probably what is happening. My best advise is until you can teach her the appropriate way to play with the dog, do not leave them alone together because you never know when a "snip" can turn into something more. So please for both of their sakes, keep them separated until you can teach her how to play with him without hurting him,
Hope this helps,
-K.

Hey I'm not sure if this will help...but I have a 4 month old daughter and 3 attention craving dogs. All I know is from experience...
When you are around them both (the dog and baby) are you letting them interact with each other? I think that if you aren't letting them get aquainted while you are around then when your not the dog maybe "getting to know" the baby. I think she maybe trying to get to know the dog as well. My dogs got very jealous after I brought home the baby and they were like that at first. snapping at her and scaring her all of the time. But now they understand that she is family and I have allowed them to get to know each other. It takes time to teach them how to treat each other. as crazy as it sounds. Just work with them both show them how to act and let them learn that neither of them are going to hurt the other. It worked for me. Hope I helped.

I also have dogs with a small child. Fortunately they seem to get along pretty well. One dog is a little more skiddish with him so I usually try my best not to let them be alone together. I know that can be difficult to do though.

Are you out of your mind!!!! Its a DOG for Gods sake and you are putting your childs life on the line!

Im sorry if this is harsh but I dont understand people who will put their animals BEFORE the well being of their children.

Also I think that if something were to happen to the child you would be held liable especially since you had prior knowledge of the dogs aggression towards the child.

Please for Gods sake either get rid of the dog or make sure it is kept away from the child.

We never trust our dogs alone with our daughter and we've had them for years. We firmly believe in keeping them in crates when we can't be right there to keep a close eye on the situation. It is kinder to the dog and will keep your girl safe.

B.,

You have to be firm and consistent. I have a lab and a 3 year old daughter. I had and have the same problem. When she was smaller she used to climb all over the dog. Now I do not let her sit on the dog or climb on the dog. If she gets on the dog I immediately remove her. I follow up with, We have to be easy. You can pet the dog, but you can't get on her." My daughter has hurt the dog a couple of times. The dog has yelped, but never bothered to do anything else. The dog would move away when she was younger. Work on keeping the child an arms lenght away and just patting or petting, until she is a little older. Remember to be firm!! You don't want to send the message that it is okay to hurt an animal.