Dog Snaps at 18 Month Old

AnnieM1977 · September 2012

Ok, so I am pretty upset.

We have a 13 lb dog, who up until this point has been fine with our LO. Actually, they used to really like each other. However, the last couple of weeks she has been snapping and even nipped her. Usually, it is when the dog is cornered and our LO runs up fast to her and startles her, but today our LO was just trying to pet her when it happened.

Obviously I am really concerned. The dog is 9 years old, and I don't know if she is just old and cranky or something else. I know we can tell our LO "no", but she is a toddler and toddlers will act crazy sometimes. I'm just not sure what to do. I don't want to be one of those people who give up my dog, but I also don't want anything worse to happen. I guess we can keep them seperated, but any other ideas would be nice.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

poppy33 · September 2012

AnnieM1977:

Usually, it is when the dog is cornered and our LO runs up fast to her and startles her, but today our LO was just trying to pet her when it happened.

Here is the problem - you need to keep them apart and teach your toddler to respect the dogs boundaries - yes this is possible. It is not easy especially as there haven't been any up until now. The dog feels threatened and is trying to defend it's space.

No need to get rid of the dog, but it will take some management on your part. Please check out the babies and beasts blog (google it) and there is a lot of great advice. Good luck.

poppy33 · September 2012

Also, make sure the dog has it's dedicated space - dog bed whatever and knows how to stay when you tell it too....again it's not easy and you feel like you are saying the same thing over and over to both the dog and the toddler.

We have a 13 month old and a 70 pound dog.

drpayne · September 2012

As PP said, make sure the dog is okay first. Maybe working with a trainer to figure out why the dog is lashing out would help.

This is not a popular opinion but if I couldn't figure out a way to resolve this very soon, I'd have to get rid of the dog. The safety of my child comes first and if I no longer felt safe with the dog around I think that is my responsibility as a parent. If something happened to my kid I would never forgive myself.

BabyBoyNYC · September 2012

sounds like your dog is just on the defense 24/7 now with your toddler and any movement from your child towards her probably is giving her major anxiety, it is happening in our household as well. We set up a gate and the dogs get one side of the apt and he gets the other (they just lay around anyways) or when the nippy one comes out he has learned to lay at the top of the couch wear DS doesn't pay attention to him

pitterpatter129 · September 2012

First, I'd pay the vet a visit for a check-up since you said it's not normal behavior.

If you really want to keep the dog, some training is in order. I'd contact a trainer who can give you specific advice for your specific situation/house/etc. You'll also have to train your child.

BUT, if it continues and training doesn't work, I wouldn't hesitate to rehome the dog. We actually just rehomed our 6 year old Eskimo in July. She really, really hated kids and when we found out we were pregnant again, she had to go. She just didn't deal well with Nate, even if she was in a separate area (like he was behind a babygate!) When she nipped his finger, an ad was placed in rescue groups, at the vet, etc. We found her a very nice and loving home with a woman who didn't have or plan on having children. They send pictures every now and then and apparently she is doing very well! It wasn't worth the dog, the kid, and the parents to all be miserable.

ncbelle · September 2012

Look at this from the dog's perspective....there's suddenly this new walking thing who makes sudden movements, yells, invades her space, and in your case is larger than she is....wouldn't you be inclined to snap? The dog has come to associate the toddler with startling her so now she is nervous even when he is just petting her because she expects "crazy" behavior.

I'm not saying that snapping is ok, but that it's a natural reaction to the situation as it is. It is NOT ok for toddlers to "act crazy" around dogs. If you are going to have both in a house together, you have to teach toddlers how to behave around animals (actually before they even get fully mobile). Our kids were taught very early what was and wasn't ok (running at the dogs is high on the not ok list).

I also think it's important to have have kiddo participate in the care of the dog for two reasons. One, it establishes that the kid is higher in the ranks than the dog. Two, it helps the dog have positive associations with the kid. Our kids help feed the dogs and go on daily walks with them (obviously they aren't old enough to hold the leash but the dogs still associate kids with walking). They know how to tell them to sit (even Eleanor is learning this which is pretty funny since our dogs are 50 pounds) - and they listen to her!

Separation is good when you can't supervise. Having a safe space for the dog is also important for her sanity. But you also need to supervise positive interactions between them to change the dog's associations and to teach your child appropriate behavior. Don't be afraid to have a behaviorist who specializes in dogs and children to help. It can be done. And it is very rewarding!

SoxFan777 · September 2012

pitterpatter129:

BUT, if it continues and training doesn't work, I wouldn't hesitate to rehome the dog. We actually just rehomed our 6 year old Eskimo in July. She really, really hated kids and when we found out we were pregnant again, she had to go. She just didn't deal well with Nate, even if she was in a separate area (like he was behind a babygate!) When she nipped his finger, an ad was placed in rescue groups, at the vet, etc. We found her a very nice and loving home with a woman who didn't have or plan on having children. They send pictures every now and then and apparently she is doing very well! It wasn't worth the dog, the kid, and the parents to all be miserable.

ASIDE: This sounds very responsible of you. I HOPE that no one ever criticizes you for it. I don't understand why/how people are all up in arms about rehoming a dog if you do EVERYTHING right like it sounds like you did. I would do exactly the same thing.

drpayne · September 2012

SoxFan777:
pitterpatter129:

BUT, if it continues and training doesn't work, I wouldn't hesitate to rehome the dog.  We actually just rehomed our 6 year old Eskimo in July.  She really, really hated kids and when we found out we were pregnant again, she had to go.  She just didn't deal well with Nate, even if she was in a separate area (like he was behind a babygate!)  When she nipped his finger, an ad was placed in rescue groups, at the vet, etc.  We found her a very nice and loving home with a woman who didn't have or plan on having children.  They send pictures every now and then and apparently she is doing very well!  It wasn't worth the dog, the kid, and the parents to all be miserable.

ASIDE: This sounds very responsible of you.  I HOPE that no one ever criticizes you for it.  I don't understand why/how people are all up in arms about rehoming a dog if you do EVERYTHING right like it sounds like you did.  I would do exactly the same thing. 

I agree. This has come up on here before and people really start flaming when rehoming is mentioned. They say "dogs are family. You never get rid of them, etc.". I know people love their pets but the "real" babies come first.

nital · September 2012

Your dog is just tired of your child tormenting her. Stop allowing it. I have 2 great Dane mixes and an 18 month old. She already understands that she has to be gentle with the dogs. If she's not, the pups go away. I also watch my dogs. If there's even a hint of annoyance, I separate them. I either send my dogs to their beds, or I call them to me, and away from her.

nital · September 2012

drpayne:
SoxFan777:
pitterpatter129:

BUT, if it continues and training doesn't work, I wouldn't hesitate to rehome the dog. We actually just rehomed our 6 year old Eskimo in July. She really, really hated kids and when we found out we were pregnant again, she had to go. She just didn't deal well with Nate, even if she was in a separate area (like he was behind a babygate!) When she nipped his finger, an ad was placed in rescue groups, at the vet, etc. We found her a very nice and loving home with a woman who didn't have or plan on having children. They send pictures every now and then and apparently she is doing very well! It wasn't worth the dog, the kid, and the parents to all be miserable.

ASIDE: This sounds very responsible of you. I HOPE that no one ever criticizes you for it. I don't understand why/how people are all up in arms about rehoming a dog if you do EVERYTHING right like it sounds like you did. I would do exactly the same thing.
I agree. This has come up on here before and people really start flaming when rehoming is mentioned. They say "dogs are family. You never get rid of them, etc.". I know people love their pets but the "real" babies come first.

If people don't go through the trouble of training their dogs and protecting their dogs from their toddler, they shouldn't get a dog in the first place.

If your dog knows a few basic commands (come, go, leave it), and you can actually read your dogs body language (which, sadly, very few dog owners do well)' keeping dog safe from baby and thus keeping baby safe from dog isn't that difficult

OSUJaydee · September 2012

We've got a 20lb 9 year old dog who snapped at DS last year when he started becoming mobile. We ruled out anything being wrong with him at the vet and after that just made sure to keep them separated because at that point, DS was too young to understand that he couldn't pester the dog. It was tough keeping them separated because basically the dog would have to be in a separate room while DS was awake, but it worked because they basically took their naps on opposite schedules!

Now that DS is older, he understands that he can't pester the dog and he treats him with respect. Honestly, they both kind of stay clear of each other. I never ever leave the dog alone with DS though, which I think is probably a pretty good rule to have regardless.

PunkyBooster · September 2012

nital:
Your dog is just tired of your child tormenting her. Stop allowing it. I have 2 great Dane mixes and an 18 month old. She already understands that she has to be gentle with the dogs. If she's not, the pups go away. I also watch my dogs. If there's even a hint of annoyance, I separate them. I either send my dogs to their beds, or I call them to me, and away from her.

All of this.

FWIW, my tot annoys the everlovingshit out of my dog. I cannot trust him at all. I trust the dog, but I also understand she looks to me to protect her and intervene when necessary and that is all the time.

She has 2 safe zones, both of which she can easily get to. DS is a typical tot, he doesn't want to listen, but when it comes to the dog I have a "no exceptions" policy.

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