Training your pet?

Nicky820

I have a Jack Russell Terrier who is almost 10. She is a very loving dog, but for some reason around kids she gets scared and starts barking and almost backing up and then lunging forward. She doesn't bite but has nipped a few kids ankles. I haven't exposed her to any babies, but kids between 2-10 she would do this with. I finally managed to get her to be friends with my 10 year old cousins by having them slowly play with her and give her treats when she was good, so I know it can be done. 

I was wondering if any of you have any advice on ways to begin to introduce your dog to a baby? I read to get a baby doll that cries and let the dog see it and hear it. Any other tips or advice? I want to start training her sooner than later. Thanks!

khays8785

hi! gotta admit I'm not much help answering, but I'll be checking in for replies - I have a 6 year old JR + Chihuahua mix (mostly JR) and he's ok with kids, but never seen him around babies...

JMack827

I'm not sure either, I have a cat that I have no clue how she is going to act around the baby. That cat is not scared of anything, we are currently trying to keep her from chewing cords. So far, no form of discipline (water spray, smacking her bottom, telling her no, spraying "bitter" pet spray on the cords, using a pet deterrant spray, packing tape, aluminum foil) works with her. Nothing phases her. She is fearless.  So I guess we'll see!

khays8785

JMack827:

I'm not sure either, I have a cat that I have no clue how she is going to act around the baby. That cat is not scared of anything, we are currently trying to keep her from chewing cords. So far, no form of discipline (water spray, smacking her bottom, telling her no, spraying "bitter" pet spray on the cords, using a pet deterrant spray, packing tape, aluminum foil) works with her. Nothing phases her. She is fearless.  So I guess we'll see!

she also sounds pretty ruthless lol

my dog is that same way with getting into the garbage can - apparently the reward is SO worth any type of disicpline we've given him - we've resorted to putting the can on the kitchen counter every time we leave the house - ugh!

milesc

My German Shepherd just turned 2 a few months before DD came along. He is a large dog with LOTS of energy, so I was a bit worried. I showed him everything, and let him sniff everything as I started buying things and putting them up in the nursery. I'd used baby oil and lotion on me, so he could become familiar with the scent. I opened up a diaper (one I got as a sample) and put baby powder in it and kept it around for him to smell. I never told him to 'go away' 'backup' or 'go lay down' when he was curious, I didn't want him to think we were pushing him away.

 Once baby came, he was very cautious and nervous, he wanted to sniff and lick her all the time. I let him sniff her, but only let him lick her maybe once a day (he wanted to wash her, like a puppy). He would whine and pace when she would squeak or cry, but we would just assure him it was alright and he was a good boy. He was like this for about 2-3 weeks, then he calmed down. He is GREAT with her now- she's crawling all over him and pulling his ears and he doesn't mind one bit.

 

My advice would be just to include your dog in the transition, in everyday possible. I believe they sense something is up, and it's an adjustment for everyone. Don't ignore your dog, just make sure to acknowledge him when he is doing good, and be quick to correct unwanted behavior it'll be all good

 

-My cousin has 2 miniature Shnauzers (I'm sure that's mispelled sorry) one is GREAT with kids, the other one is fearful, will run away and growl. Once baby came, she did a 180 and is so in LOVE with her 'baby' Both dogs are doing great with the adjustment 

maybebride

milesc:

 I never told him to 'go away' 'backup' or 'go lay down' when he was curious, I didn't want him to think we were pushing him away.

 Once baby came, he was very cautious and nervous, he wanted to sniff and lick her all the time. I let him sniff her, but only let him lick her maybe once a day (he wanted to wash her, like a puppy).

 These are two really good points. Knowing we would eventually have a baby of our own, I've always let our two get up close and personal with our nieces and nephew when they were babies. They did much better around the babies when I held them and let them sniff and see as opposed to when DH would freak out and try to keep them away. They are a part of the family, so including them is key!

sparkplug06

We have a Mini Pincer who is FULL of energy, We were afraid he was going to be mean to kids because he is so  hyper and like to play, BUT we were shocked when i started to watch my then 1 year old nephew how good he really was. It took a good couple of week of my nephew being here 11 hours a day but my dog and him get a long great now. I am very shocked. If you knew my doggy you would understand why. Just exposing them once and a while to kids won't be the same as having one in the house all the time. I am sure your animals will be fine plus the first months the baby just lays there so the animal will get use to it's smells etc. Good luck!  

festivusforme

A coworker of mine had a dog behavior therapist come to her house to help with training pre/post baby. She has 2 Boston Terriers that have a variety of issues, including biting strangers. I'd recommend you look into getting expert advice. 

jessilynnwilliams

I don't know if it's any help to yo at all or not, but... We have a almost 2 year old lab puppy... who loves to chase and try to play with kids when she sees them. (all in good fun, not trying to hurt anyone!) A few months ago, my husband and I babysat a friend's four month old, and our puppy instantly calmed down and was protective of our friends little boy! I have a lot more confidence in her now! I think it's a natural thing, and your dog will understand what it needs to do

Nicky820

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I do think my dog will be okay once the baby is here, and we are going to really try to include her in all the prep. She is very sweet with adults and strangers and other dogs. I have always been nervous to introduce her to other people's kids cause I don't have any young, close family members, and asking not very close friends if I can try my dog out on their kids just isn't something I have wanted to do! . I have heard that dogs are very instinctual and do start to become very protective of a baby, especially one that is around all the time, so I am hoping that will be the case! 

I would love to see photos of everyone's pets. Is there an easy way to add them to a post?

doggylovr

we have a 100lb chocolate lab and a 45lb mix...we bought a baby doll and walked around with it for several weeks before DS was born.  We taught them that their new boundaries with that.  LIke pp said, once he came home, they were so gentle with him and treated him like a puppy.  we brought the infant carrier in the house and put it on a table so they could sniff but we could also grab it and take it away if needed.

another thing we did was send DH home from the hospital for a few hours with one of the blankets DS was wrapped in for the smell......i am suere with #2 we wont have to go through all thsi trouble but DS is 2 and he and the dogs are best buds!! 

eebaehr

Try to catch a few episodes of the dog whisperer...seriously everytime I watch that show I feel like I've learned so much lol:)  If I can remember correctly I think you are supposed to integrate the baby and dog together slowly and gently, with lots of treats so the dog associates nothing but good things with the baby.  The pp that mentioned using scents to get the dog used to the smell of  a baby is a good idea as well...we actually used this scent trick when we moved into our new house

lisastro

I am terrified of how my dog is going to react to the baby.  She's a 3.5 year old Goldren Retriever/Australian Shepherd cross.  She wouldn't hurt a fly on purpose, but she has so much energy and still jumps up on people when she's excited.   We're starting her in a 6 week training class at PetSmart next week to work on her general training.  I plan to do as much research as I can on acclimating her to the baby.  Good luck.  And wish me luck, too.