New dog and kids

AggieCouple

We inherited an 8 mo old shih tzu from my sister, who decided she and her family are not home enough to offer enough attention to it (they aren't). ?He was fine for a couple of days -- some accidents, which I can put up with -- but in the past couple of days, he has growled at my 1 year old son, TB, a few times, and I took a not-very-playful snap at him. ?We can't put TB on the floor without strict supervision because the dog keeps shoving himself into him and pushing him around until my son is hysterical. ?But my 3 year old daughter loves him already (and he loves her it seems) and when she heard us talking (in pretty vague terms) about giving him back (my sister has another family who really wants him), she started crying. ?Do you think it's worth trying to instill some behavior changes? ?I don't think these misbehaviors have been serious enough yet, but I'm afraid one day, while I'm trying to cook or helping my daughter, the dog will do something regrettable to my son. ?I don't think gates will work, as (1) we have a pretty open floor plan and (2), both the dog and TB have separation anxiety if they are not in the same room as me. ?I think once TB can walk (almost there), it might be better, but you think the risks outweigh the potential benefits? ?I hate to break ML's heart =o(

DandelionMom

Honestly, it takes a lot of really hard work but it is a workable situation. ?If I were in your shoes I'd invest in a good behaviorist (your vet or the pet's nesties might be able to refer one) to help you crate train, work on the?separation?anxiety, and teach you how to implement NILIF (google this training method, it has worked wonders for us). ?

For the potty accidents, you might want to consider buying a belly band. ?It is a kind of diaper for boy dogs that you line with a maxipad. ?And make sure you're cleaning the accidents with an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle so that the dog isn't attracted back to the same spot. ?

And when the kids are interacting with the dog you need to be right there (within arms reach) and when you can't be, they need to be separated (even ML). ???

pookie2005

Pro: He is only 8 mo old.  This behavior may just be puppy-related.  You need to be on top of telling him NO each time he growls/snaps.  He may be thinking that your son is "playing" with him and is just trying to play back.

Con: You just never know!  He could be a snippy dog...some of them are.  SOme dogs just don't ever get along with children no matter what you do! 

You are the only one that can have any indication of whether he is doing this to be playful or is being aggresive.  Watch him very closely around your little ones, step up the training/discipline and go with your gut!

pookie2005

PMQ:

Honestly, shih-tzus are not known for being great pets with small children. This dogs' "misbehaviours" sound very typical of the breed. If there is another family that wants him and doesn't have small children I would certainly give him a home where he would be happy.

I was also going to say this but I alwys feel so guilty when I find myself "breed profiling".  However, as an ex-vet tech I have to second the notion that Shih-tzu's are not always the nicest flower in the bunch...especially when there are kids involved.

But that doesn't always mean anything.  Every dog is different.  It's just a matter of your comfort level of having him around your kids.

I always laugh because everyone breed profiles against Rotties, pitties, etc.  In my career, the only dogs I have ever been bitten by are small little yappy dogs.

AggieCouple

He is actually remarkably calm for a small male. ?And my sister has 4 kids...just no babies. ?We are planning on TTC next year, and my husband is also worried about how he'd treat a new baby.

?What kind of cost is a behaviorist? ?One of the caveats of adopting him from my husband was cost limits, due to my being a SAHM now. ?

?

Thanks for all the input!?

DandelionMom

If cost is an issue, google crate training and NILIF (or pick up a couple of books on those topics) and see if you can do it yourself before trying a professional.

And you probably already know this but make sure you take great care when there is food or bones around. ?Most bites seem to happen when either the child or the dog has food. ??

cristyu

Sorry, but I think it would be best if you give him to the family that really wants him.  Do they have children??  I don't have dogs but I think that 1.  The dog is overwhelmed.  Does your sister have kids?  If not, he's probably overwhelmed by the kids. 2.  He's a puppy.  He's not going to know how to act without training. 

cristyu

Okay, I read your post more carefully.  Your sis has 4 kids.  That poor dog is overwhelmed with so many kids around and if you're going to TTC, forget it.  You already have your hands full.  Don't worry about disappointing your daughter.  Think of the dog and give him to a good home.  He needs a stable home and has already been passed around way too much.  I hope the other family that wants him will keep him...... =(

JGarvey

In all honesty- he is just a puppy. And one that probably wasn't exposed to young kids yet. Everything you have described is normal growing pains.

Even with my dogs who are much older, I never put my DC on the floor without strict supervision when he was a baby and or a newly mobile one. Most dogs do not see babies as babies- they think of them as funny looking puppies. And what do older wiser dogs do to puppies to put them in their place when they have done something not approved of? They put their mouths on them. So, you must step up supervision. It will not last forever as evidenced by the interactions of your 3 year old and him. He will like your little one much more when is a sure footed toddler. And part of your description sounds like the dog is trying to engage the baby in play- growling, nudging, and play bowing are signs of a dog trying to get another dog to play. It's quite possible that is what is going on here as well.

If you can't use baby gates, then you can use a crate or an ex pen for the dog to go into when your baby needs time to crawl, roll, and cruise. You can also use another room for the dog with the door closed and offer a special toy or treat they get only at that time. This makes the seperation a reward and not a punishment- that's the key here.

I honestly believe children are very lucky to be raised in a home with pets. My just now 2 year old is so good with dogs and has no fear. He knows how and when to pet them, how to approach a strange dog (all while holding mom's hand), and he simply adores them. Was it hard work on my part- you bet. Was it worth it- you bet.