Why would my dog suddenly be obsessed with my toddler?

[Anonymous]

We have a 5 year-old, neutered, medium-sized male terrier who has been overly eager to sniff my 3 year-old daughter's head and buns over the past few days. It's driving me and my daughter crazy and I've had to use the baby gates to keep him away when she's changing her clothes. We've changed nothing smelly, she's fully toilet trained, and at 3 she better not have raging hormones... Previous to this week, my dog generally avoided her and he's continued to show little interest in my one year-old daughter. Any idea what might be going on? I've told my daughter to ignore him and I've worked to keep him outside or intervened when he started going nuts.

[Anonymous]

Did she eat anything new/different that maybe he's smelling?

[Anonymous]

Do you have new soap, lotion, shampoo, detergent, vitamins ...

[Anonymous]

Actually, I have been giving her more meat than usual this week. Maybe he smells that?

Ugh, if it continues, I may be calling the vet for doggie Prozac.

[Anonymous]

Is she dropping food on the floor. Eating with her hands (so that they smell after a meal). Dogs and toddlers generally find a love-love relationship when food is involved...

I'd also try to flip the reaction from negative to positive if that is possible. Instead of complaining about the dog's attention to the toddler, focus on the fact that the dog loves the toddler. Look, Fido loves you. Can you give Fido a quick pet. Tell Fido "that's enough" when he starts to bother you and turn your back on him. Wow, you must be Fido's favorite now!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 5 year-old, neutered, medium-sized male terrier who has been overly eager to sniff my 3 year-old daughter's head and buns over the past few days. It's driving me and my daughter crazy and I've had to use the baby gates to keep him away when she's changing her clothes. We've changed nothing smelly, she's fully toilet trained, and at 3 she better not have raging hormones... Previous to this week, my dog generally avoided her and he's continued to show little interest in my one year-old daughter. Any idea what might be going on? I've told my daughter to ignore him and I've worked to keep him outside or intervened when he started going nuts.

Did you ever get this figured out? The exact thing is happening with my two year old daughter. Just like you the dog never acted this way before. Did your dog just eventually stop? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Based solely on wild speculation, could she be coming down with something? Being sick might change her chemistry.

[Anonymous]

THIS IS A SEVEN YEAR OLD POST

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:THIS IS A SEVEN YEAR OLD POST

But someone on 4/2 has the same question.

[Anonymous]

Have her checked for diabetes.

[Anonymous]

This should be in the Pets forum.

[Anonymous]

They would know…