Dogs and newly cruising baby

[Anonymous]

My two smallish (25 pound) dogs are starting to get uncomfortable with my grabby, mobile, cruising 10 month old. I of course supervise them, but am not sure how/when to intervene and what to do when I intervene.

For example, one dog was on a chair chewing on a toy and he cruised over to it and grabbed at the toy, and the dog growled a little and jumped off the chair with the toy. Another example, the other dog grabbed a bread crust I dropped at was eating it in the middle of the living room. The baby crawled over and the dog barked at him and moved away from him. Should I let the dog warn the baby? Tell the dog no? Chase down the baby constantly and keep him from grabbing at the dogs (feasible now, but not in another 6 months with a toddler)?

I want to train the dogs to defer to the baby, which they used to do when he was smaller and would grab a toy from them, and I feel like they're testing him right now. They're well trained with my husband and me and I can take food, toys, etc. away from them and otherwise torture them (cutting nails, messing with their teeth, etc.) without any reaction from either. Since this is just starting now, I want to make sure I'm handling these interactions appropriately so (1) this doesn't escalate into nipping/bites, etc.; (2) I don't accidentally create a bad dynamic; (3) the dogs and the baby learn how to treat each other appropriately.

I plan on separating their food and not allow them to take treats into the living room anymore. I may get some nice new dog beds for the dining room, so they run to there instead of the living room rug. I'm working on "gentle touches" with the baby, but that's obviously a work in progress with a baby/young toddler. What else should I do? How should I handle these little "interactions" between them?

[Anonymous]

Well it sounds like the dogs are doing a great job of letting you know when they're uncomfortable and leaving the situation rather than standing their ground. These are both very good things!

At that stage, I would keep baby and dogs separated any time there is food involved and yea, monitor monitor monitor! All interactions have to be monitored with you right there. Also consider having the dog toys put away except for designated play times when you're right there. That way, they won't have anything to guard at non-play times, reducing the risk of conflict. Consider putting up some baby gates to give the dogs a baby-free zone and baby a dog free zone to give yourself a break from the hyper-monitoring the dog/baby combo requires.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are doing the right things, mostly. You want to be sure to tell the dogs no every time they get even the tiniest bit growly with the baby. Do the same with the baby - make sure that your child knows it is not ever ok to take a dog's toy, or to go for some bread crusts the dogs are eyeing. Not because your kid isn't more important but because that's what is likely to lead to your kid being bitten.

And the absolute most important thing you can do is to supervise all interactions. *Do not leave a baby alone with dogs.*

I know that seems excessive; but at this stage, while your child is very young and vulnerable, and neither your child nor the dogs are fully entrenched in appropriate boundaries, this is when you need to be there watching all the time.

The ASPCA has some good guidelines as well:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dogs-and-babies

Like giving your dogs treats every time they are poked, so they will start associating that predictable toddler behavior with rewards and happiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are doing the right things, mostly. You want to be sure to tell the dogs no every time they get even the tiniest bit growly with the baby. Do the same with the baby - make sure that your child knows it is not ever ok to take a dog's toy, or to go for some bread crusts the dogs are eyeing. Not because your kid isn't more important but because that's what is likely to lead to your kid being bitten.

And the absolute most important thing you can do is to supervise all interactions. *Do not leave a baby alone with dogs.*

I know that seems excessive; but at this stage, while your child is very young and vulnerable, and neither your child nor the dogs are fully entrenched in appropriate boundaries, this is when you need to be there watching all the time.

The ASPCA has some good guidelines as well:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dogs-and-babies

Like giving your dogs treats every time they are poked, so they will start associating that predictable toddler behavior with rewards and happiness.

I read the article and expanded it to what to do f a dog shows aggression towards a toddler. Animal behaviorist? We knew a family with multiple dogs when my children were young. Some were very amenable towards kids and 1 was not. That dog simply walked away from them [and not only my kids]. Those kids plus mine had a large dog in the family. With dogs there is an element of nature not just nurture/training.

There is a long time between infant and toddler. My dog loved the high chair years. Toddler years with the dog? Biggest problem was them going in even the fridge and giving food to the dog.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks all. That article is really helpful, thanks for posting. It highlights where I'm confused - if the dog growls or barks at him when he's doing something obnoxious, should I say "no" to the dog? The article says not to or it could stifle their warning responses, but it's my gut instinct that they should know how I expect them to behave. If I don't say no, what do I do instead? Remove the baby and let the dog keep playing with the toy/eating the bread crust? Remove the bread crust, but don't say no to the dog?

One dog is a very sensitive spaniel mix, so we've always been very light handed in her training (positive treats based rewards) to keep her from becoming skiddish. Just don't want to make a mistake, because she has a looong memory.

I appreciate the insight all!

[Anonymous]

This is the PP who posted the link to the ASPCA. I'm not a dog behaviorist or dog trainer - I work in animal welfare - so I can't give you a definitive answer. My guess is that you will get different answers from different people.

Perhaps try calling this outfit: http://beltwaydogtraining.com/dog-training-programs/dog-training-for-new-parents/

They can help you figure out the best way to make sure your dogs and child are happy and safe. And just again, it's wonderful that you are being so thoughtful about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks all. That article is really helpful, thanks for posting. It highlights where I'm confused - if the dog growls or barks at him when he's doing something obnoxious, should I say "no" to the dog? The article says not to or it could stifle their warning responses, but it's my gut instinct that they should know how I expect them to behave. If I don't say no, what do I do instead? Remove the baby and let the dog keep playing with the toy/eating the bread crust? Remove the bread crust, but don't say no to the dog?

One dog is a very sensitive spaniel mix, so we've always been very light handed in her training (positive treats based rewards) to keep her from becoming skiddish. Just don't want to make a mistake, because she has a looong memory.

I appreciate the insight all!

Trainer here. Never tell a dog "no" for growling--especially not a sensitive one! They will stop growling and skip that step next time they feel intimidated. That's how you end up with a dog who snaps--the warning signs are ignored.

In the case you describe, I would remove the object that the dog is guarding. Trade the dog a piece of hot dog for the bread crust or toy, and put it out of reach. You are not rewarding the growling--you are removing the object that is causing tension.

I get it, OP. I have dogs, and a 2.5 year old. Honestly, your dogs are behaving beautifully from what you describe. You are going to have to manage the snot out of this relationship for a while. No food present when dogs and baby are both around. Utilize baby gates/ex pens/the yard to keep the dogs away when kiddo is eating, and kiddo away when dogs are eating. No toys, no treats, nothing to guard when the kid is around. That can all come out after the child goes to bed. Child needs to be taught to NEVER approach the dog. If he wants to pet the dog, he needs to call the dog to him (obviously impossible now, but will be reality soon). It is the dog's choice to come for attention, not the child's choice to give the dog attention. Choice is a powerful tool that goes miles in making the dogs more comfortable.

To reassure you, my beloved dog (who I had for 8 years before kiddo) had trouble when my son first started being mobile. It was a challenging 2-3 months, and then she settled in again.

[Anonymous]

Trainer again: This is a fabulous, easy to read book that covers a lot of common issues. Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Kids-Dogs-Without-Losing/dp/1933562129

[Anonymous]

Thank you, just bought the book recommended! I appreciate everyone saying the dogs are handling it well. I know it's a hands on, active management time, and want to make sure I'm doing the right things.

They really are good, sweet dogs. Trust me, we put in a ton of work to ensure they were that way. 99% of the time, the baby does something obnoxious and they give him a little face luck before scurrying out of grabby baby range. The crawling baby/toddler years make me so nervous though because the risk of bites is so much higher.

Any other tips, BTDT stories, or links to reading material are greatly appreciated!