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Dog growling at baby...how can we foster positive interaction?

3 replies

HarderToKidnap · 24/04/2012 13:02

I have an 8yo toy breed dog. A very long story, but we have had him for 2 years, felt we had no choice but to take him as he was living in a neglectful home with a family member who would not countenance any other options. I adore him. He is nervous, because of the neglect I believe, but he is very gentle natured. However he does not enjoy being around toddlers, and we manage these interactions carefully. He has growled at a friends toddler and snarled at another who fell full weight on him. Never bitten or snapped at anyone.

We now have a 4 month old son, who is just getting interested in the dog, reaching out etc. The dog often comes to sit near me or my DH when we have the baby and therefore the baby will reach out and touch him, this will cause a slight growl and the dog to move away. My DH and DS were on the floor a couple of days ago and the dog laid down next to my DS, who reached out to touch him. Dog growled and moved, but not very far and DS touched him again. The dog spun round and growled louder, before moving away. Again on the sofa this morning, the dog laid next to DS (who was on DHs lap), DS touched him and dog growled a bit and moved away.

We have just had a really positive interaction where I was putting treats on babys hand (I was holding both treat and hand, no danger) and dog taking them, licking DS hand, seemed very comfy and relaxed.

At the risk of making this an essay, the dog often does what I think of as a "grumpy growl" when we move out legs under the duvet etc - it's not aggressive, his body language stays totally relaxed, he just shifts slightly. Most of his growls at the baby are like this, but the incident when the baby was on the floor scared me. I am most worried about when DS is on the move. Also I'm concerned about how to manage the growling. I have been letting the baby touch dog gently when dog approaches us, and not reacting when the dog growls a little and moves away - I figure they are finding out about each other and dog has his own way of managing his tension and I don't want to stop him doing his warning sign. Is this the right approach? We will probably invest in a behaviourist visit when DS is moving about.

Help and advice welcome.

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EasyToEatTiger · 24/04/2012 16:21

Babies can be terrifying for dogs. They are small and unpredictable. It sounds as though your dog is giving off little warning signs that he's uncomfortable with the situation. It may help to use a baby cage for the baby or a crate for the dog. Our 2 oldies don't like children very much at all, and it seemed to work that they could come and see the babies, but not vice versa. It is also important to make sure the dog gets enough attention with the new(ish) arrival.

It sounds like you are being very careful with your baby/dog interactions. Both need a safe place to go. You also want the dog to come to you only when you ask. This is particularly important with the baby. You don't want the dog demanding your full attention when you're in the middle of doing something!

Perhaps you could teach the dog to go to his basket if he growls, and then he could have a treat when he's settled?

It is also very possible that the dog will not get used to a young person. This doesn't mean that all hell will break loose, but it does mean that the safe place away from little hands is very important, and as your baby grows, you will have to teach him to leave the dog alone.

So far, we have had no incidents with the dogs and the dcs. The dogs still don't like children much, but at least see them as a source of games and treats, but not as things to lie about with!

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mute · 29/04/2012 09:36

Be very careful I had a dog that started growling like that at my toddler. Unfortunately the growl did turn into a snap. I recommend you keep them apart mostly. When they are together if there is any sign of aggression shut your dog away immediately to let him know aggression will not be excepted.

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boringnickname · 29/04/2012 09:47

I think what jumped out at me was the dog was on the sofa - so sofa in dogs mind may well = mine! I would definately invest in a bed for the dog, somewhere he can go that is his and ensure your DS never goes near him there. Keep the dog off the sofa and bed as he is getting ideas above his little station.

Definately keep dog and DS apart until such a time that DS can be instructed not to pull at the dog - so quite a long time.

My JRT has issured a few warning growls to DD, but she is old enough to know better and i have told her "if he bites you, it will be your fault" He has never snapped though, dog is 5 DD is 7.

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