What can do we do if dog doesn’t accept baby?

[Anonymous]

We have a smallish (25 lbs) dog who is the sweetest animal on earth to the people he loves, but reactive to strangers - although we do have an introduction protocol that has been successful with everyone who we’ve tried it with - and most dogs. He is very happy guy at home and with the people he loves (lots of friends and family m). Once introduced, he accepts people and has never “turned” on someone. While he has never actually hurt anyone, he has nipped a stranger once, and if given the chance would bite a stranger if we were not able to introduce them properly. Because of this risk, we’ve never been able to introduce him to any children. We are hoping to get pregnant soon, and while I know some dogs seem to get that a baby is part of the family, our hearts break thinking about the possibility that he does not and we need to have a plan for what to do if he is reactive toward them.

I love this dog with all my heart, and know that he is capable of living a very good life in a quiet house. If when we have a baby we find out he cannot safely live with them, is there a way to responsibly rehome him or is that out of the question with a (very insignificant, no damage) one-time bite history? The alternative is unthinkable, and feels insane for a dog who loves people more than anything once he gets a chance to meet them. Please be kind. This is very painful to even think about and we are hoping for the best but need to have a backup plan.

[Anonymous]

Just wait and see what happens. You're overthinking it.

[Anonymous]

What breed?

[Anonymous]

I’ve had two friends who had to regime. It was heartbreaking, it they didn’t adjust to the baby after months and everyone was miserable.

[Anonymous]

How old is the dog? If he is older already, you might just delay your childbearing plans until he passes and avoid the issue altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wait and see what happens. You're overthinking it.

+100 most dogs get into protective mode over the child.

[Anonymous]

My dog used to rest her head on my pregnant belly. I always got the feeling that she knew baby was there and was part of the family. We never had a problem after DS was born, and this is not a dog that always welcomes people to our home.

[Anonymous]

OP: You are just going to have to make a choice. That's all there is to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is the dog? If he is older already, you might just delay your childbearing plans until he passes and avoid the issue altogether.

Oh, for G*d’s sake.

Don’t do this for a dog.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t want a dog that I don’t trust in a house with my infant. If you can find the dog a good, happy home, why would you risk this?

[Anonymous]

Get rid of dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t want a dog that I don’t trust in a house with my infant. If you can find the dog a good, happy home, why would you risk this?

OP here. We trust him with us 100% and with strangers after initial meeting, and feel very confident that he will never lay a tooth on someone he likes. To actually answer your question, reread my post. I don't even know if we can rehome him if needed, that was my whole question. Plus, we love him dearly and don't want to throw away his life with us for no reason. But I do know the gravity of if he doesn't like the baby, and if that situation presents itself we want to be ready to do something.

To another poster who has asked, he is 6 and I am 30. So no, we are not comfortable with waiting for baby until he passes. I can't say we haven't thought about it, but no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: You are just going to have to make a choice. That's all there is to it.

Yes, I know that. My question was if we can even rehome a dog that is prone to biting.

[Anonymous]

My “I hate everyone” dog adored my baby. It was instant. Dogs know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wait and see what happens. You're overthinking it.

+100 most dogs get into protective mode over the child.

My grandfather's dog did that when my brother was born. The dog would not let my mom pick up the baby when he cried. He guarded the baby and bared teeth at anyone who came near. Needless to say, that dog was never near that baby again.