Fur baby question!!

Ecat504 · June 2014

I have three rather large dogs, all labs. Ironically my problems aren't with the two that are half pits (since I know how terribly "vicious" they are) but my full lab.
Lacey was never an only dog, but since getting out new puppy who is a white lab pit mix, she's gotten increasingly jealous of the attention he gets.
I'm worried this will contiune and we'll have to rehome her which I would hate to do because I love her so much. What have y'all done to prepare dogs for babies? And does anyone have any advice/experience with jealous dogs?

Eta: posted before I finished

kayemgi · June 2014

I second Smiley, get a trainer now, and start working on behaviors you want to change. It's also better to work on any changes pre-baby, so the dog doesn't associate the change with the baby and become even more resentful. For example, we aren't getting a trainer because our dog is fairly laid back, but he tends to want to sleep on the floor on my side of the bed, which is narrow and where we plan to keep the bassinet. We're working on getting him to sleep on DH's side now, so the dog doesn't associate that change with the baby. Also try to anticipate routine changes, if you can, and implement those now rather than later so the dog can get used to them. Good luck!

portentosa · June 2014

kayemgi said:

I second Smiley, get a trainer now, and start working on behaviors you want to change. It's also better to work on any changes pre-baby, so the dog doesn't associate the change with the baby and become even more resentful. For example, we aren't getting a trainer because our dog is fairly laid back, but he tends to want to sleep on the floor on my side of the bed, which is narrow and where we plan to keep the bassinet. We're working on getting him to sleep on DH's side now, so the dog doesn't associate that change with the baby. Also try to anticipate routine changes, if you can, and implement those now rather than later so the dog can get used to them. Good luck!

All of this. Training and implementing any foreseeable routine changes BEFORE baby comes so they are not associated/blamed on baby. The training not only will help focus on correcting problem behaviors you're dealing with, but will serve as some quality one-on-one time for you and your dog.... which can go a long way in itself in helping your pup's attitude.

rlyttle · June 2014

I also have a vicious pit.

I agree with PP about getting a trainer now. With DS we put all the baby gear out months before DS arrived so our dog would be used to everything. We put out the swing, chair, toys ect. Then we made sure to turn everything on and make all the noises. When DS was born I had my dad take the blanket that. DS was wrapped in right after delivery and wrapped it around our dogs food bowl. He also took his hat and a couple other things to our house & put them in our dogs crate, bed, ect. This way our dog was already used to the baby's scent before we even brought him home. Once he was home we let our dog get close, lick him, sit by us, ect. We tried not to constantly keep the dog away so she felt included. Our vicious pit welcomed DS and they are best buds today!!

Ecat504 · June 2014

Thanks so much everyone! Lacey has gone through obedience school, is this the training you're talking about? Or more personal training?

Just to add, Lacey is about 3 years old. So she may be set in her ways, is it going to be harder to break her habits since she's older, are dogs like people?! I've never had problems with my dogs, I've always treated them like little humans which could be a problem.... I have already set up her crib, and have been working on her nursery, and her bassinet is in our room. They haven't tried to sniff it, and actually more so pretend it's not there. I know this is controversial but when SO works nights and when he goes away for Marine duty I let them all sleep with me, I haven't been doing that because they're so uncomfortable now lol, and I'm trying to break their habit of jumping on the bed whenever they so please. Which is not going well.

It's making me feel like I'm going to be a terrible parent because especially with our new puppy they give me those eyes like "mom we just wanna snuggle" and I'm suckered in!

What do you do to correct your dogs? I was taught when we took Lacey to obedience school, to give them a stern no and a swat on the nose. Lacey is very obedient, she sits, stays, lays down, heels, halts, high fives, shakes hands, the whole 9...

portentosa · June 2014

A refresher course is always a good thing. And 3yrs is definitely not too late to learn new tricks... as the old adage says. Re-establishing doggie good manners with all three of your dogs should help the jealous that is surfacing and help lay a good foundation for introducing baby to the whole furry family.

If you want them out of your bed consistency is key. ALWAYS tell them to get off the bed immediately upon discovering they are there, but don't be harsh.... just get them off the bed and redirect them elsewhere. Think about giving them their own space to call their own.... a bed or a crate, whatever works for them and you. Give them lots of praise (happy voice, pets, and/or treats) when you come into the room and discover them in their own spots. And don't give in to those puppy eyes!! They really will be happy to sleep where they should, I promise. There are lots of other ways to show them you love them. Establishing boundaries that keep the entire family happy and comfortable is better for everyone in the long run.

I have taken my own two dogs to obedience training where the emphasis was placed on positive reinforcement.... giving praise/treats to reward good behavior and ignoring/taking away praise/movement/treats/toys in response to undesirable behavior. My boys know sit, lay down, heel, leave it, look at me, and the big ones.... 'wait' and 'go to bed'.

'Wait' is used in our house as a stay, but also as a calm down and look at me cue. They must 'sit' and 'wait' for their food to be poured in their bowl and then 'look at me' until I give them the release cue before they can dig in. They must also 'wait' at doorways for me to go through first, this is a dominance display on my part as well as a safety behavior to keep them from bolting out of open doors and getting loose in the neighborhood... but also very helpful as I get bigger and bigger... prevents them from knocking me over.

'Go to bed' is an excellent cue that tells them to go lay down where I'm pointing. At night it is used to tell them it's bed time and to go to their beds in our bedroom. During the day it's used as a go lay down and stay cue.... usually when someone is at the door, but also useful for when we have company over and they are under foot or too rowdy. They have living room beds as well and that's where they go when given the cue during the day.

JulyMomma2U2 · June 2014

Training now is a great idea.. Call some trainers and explain your situation (the jealousy with the new pup and your concern with the new baby coming). We have a 9 year old golden retriever. Excellent behavior, well trained, never any issues.. Listens to commands, property trained, etc etc etc. he was always excellent around babies and kids.. We actually used him to help my neighbors kids reduce their fear of dogs... However, he has not been a fan of my boys. When we brought My oldest home, he sniffed him and seemed fine, but I consistently noticed he'd sit away from us more often then not when the baby was around. And then when my oldest started to be more mobile, the growling and snarling started. It has been SUCH a difficult adjustment :-(. We've worked with behavioral trainers, etc, but the general consensus is not all dogs are open to the adjustment with little kids, and each trainer has recommended not allowing him to be in the same room with my kids. It broke my heart... Honestly. He was my baby for 9 years, and now we were having to contemplate re homing him. What we've done instead is keep him and the kids separate at all times (mostly... If MH and I are there he can be in the same room for short periods and we just keep the kids away from him). I never ever ever expected this to be an issue...!! I'm not trying to scare you, but just using my story as a heads up.. I had zero reason to suspect him to not like being around kids, so it really shocked me!! Anyway, I guess my point is just go into it with an open mind... It may not be the pup that you think that gives you issues!! Best of luck :-)

crystangel · June 2014

It is never too old to train, or re train a dog. We have a pit too, and fully plan on implementing changes before the baby comes and taking it slow with the introductions, since she is not used to babies. It will work, don't give up and your dog will continue to be a great part of the family.

MMason12 · June 2014

I think other PP have given you great advice! We also have three dogs -- two pugs (6 & 4) and a Shepard/Husky mix (4). We're really working with them on breaking some of the habits that we'd rather they not have once we bring our little one home. You would be amazed at how smart most dogs are and how quickly they can learn/re-learn things. The number one thing is consistency. You have to do the same thing(s) each and every time for them to learn and remember.

Good luck!!

Bella2425 · June 2014

Agree with the above. Also once the baby comes - constant 100% of the time supervision when around the dogs. My dogs (lab and great dane) didn't pay much attention to DS... until he started getting mobile and then they were like 'WTF is that!?" and since babies movements are totally "unpredictable" to dogs it can be hard on them. It took a while, but they all adjusted to each other. Just watch for cues and work with a trainer. Good luck!

Ecat504 · June 2014

Sorry I have more to add. This is new and she just showed her signs of this today,

Food aggression is something we broke them off as puppies. None of them have a problem if you come up and pet them or stick your hands in their food bowls at all. They will completely ignore you, we did this because at the time SO had a young sister who always pet them and we didn't want them being aggressive over their food if she touched them while eating.
They all have their own bowls, and stay out of each other's, but like I said humans can touch them/their good/their bowls while eating. Today I set Lacey's food down and as she started eating she pushed her bowl, I just slid it back over with my foot and she snarled at me then she tried to get into the puppies food and he backed off. I corrected Lacey moved her away and put axe back to his bowl and she growled at him!

What would you do about that?

Laceyrm06 · June 2014

Aggression is not something that your average dog obedience trainer will be able/equipped to help with. I would look into an Animal Behaviorist that will walk you through modifying Lacey's behavior.

SammieJane · June 2014

I agree with pp that you should implement some kind of formal training and boundaries as much as possible before your LO arrives. We have two goldens, and Ds is 17 months old. Our main concern wasn't obedience as to both are highly trained, and one is a therapy dog, but jealousy issues. It is so hard to devote your time to a new baby, and your dogs no matter how much you love them. We often feel bad we don't spend as much time as we have in the past with ours since they are very high maintenance dogs, but now that Ds is older, and winter is over it has gotten better. With another due in September, we hope our dogs don't despise us lol. In my opinion EXERCISE for the dogs is also key, any behaviors that our dogs have are pretty much alleviated when they run/swim, whatever they need to do to get their energy out. Goldens like to jump, even with tons of formal training we have had to continuously work on that when we walk in the door ( even our "therapy dog" who has had quite the break from her work). Try to be consistent at all times, it is hard, but not impossible, baby and dogs can all fit into your life

. Good luck!! Also, as far as food aggression I have no experience because my dogs don't exhibit that behavior, but I never let my son near the dogs when they eat, just as a precaution. If they have never had food aggression before, maybe today there was a reason, and it isn't a reoccurring behavior?

AbbyLee621 · June 2014

Make sure you wash clothes in new detergent about a month ahead of time if you're going to switch soaps. Wearing the baby's lotion for a few weeks before his/her arrival is also a good idea.

portentosa · June 2014

Growling at you is a huge no no. You are the alpha in this relationship. Try to make a point of feeding the dogs after you have already had your dinner and definitely definitely watch the dogs while they eat. I see no harm in Lacey demonstrating that she's above the puppy in the pack order by eating first, but definitely don't allow any aggression. You as the ultimate leader have the say so where that is concerned. If she goes for pup's food remove her from the situation immediately. If the aggression towards you doesn't give way quickly hand feed Lacey for a couple meals.. show her that her food comes from you.

And I agree with Crystal on giving the dogs their own space away from children to eat. Mine are super lax, I can take food out from under their noses and 'goodies' they find on walks right out of their mouths with zero aggression, but letting your dogs relax during mealtime without the added stress to them or you is a big deal.

Daisy1232 · June 2014

It's also very important to watch for the signs that the dog is going to attack or "red zone" and Ceasar calls it. Low growling, staring, body posture...so much of keeping things under control with dogs is timing and I think that's where Ceasar Milan has a natural talent that's tough to replicate.

I urge you to keep a close eye on it and if you're seeing signs that the dog is going to attack another, keep them on a leash so you can control them at all times. Long story short, my little 24 lb mutt has been attacking my 40 lb boxer mix, first over food, then over whenever we gave the other dog affection, then to whenever she walked by. What we didn't know is that the dog that gets attacked will also never be the same (more Ceasar theory there). The first few times the boxer didn't attack back and we worked really hard to keep the peace, assert our dominance, add exercise, feed them far away from each other, but when the little dog charged at the big dog, she reacted and it became a 2 way fight.

I've cried many tears over this and I'm currently hurdling 2 gates that separate them at all times, so I just wanted to say I'm sorry for your situation and I know how upsetting it is. PP's are right, the training early is probably the only way you can stop this in its tracks. Good luck

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