dog growls at baby

[rabid]

We have a pair of very good dogs. They are great with dogs, people and (usually) kids. The bigger of the two, Maggie (the Saint Bernard) was great with our infant son. She would come over and nuzzle him when he cried (in our arms) and when he was in his doorway jumper, she would lay under it and let him jump around (and sometimes on) her head. She would always lay near him.

The problem began when he began crawling. The dogs generally want nothing to do with him when he is crawling and leave the room. When maggie is on her bed, and he crawls at her, she sometimes gives off a low growl. She has not raised a lip, and has never bitten any dog or person. tonights growl was more pronounced than usual. A stern look from me and me saying her name made it stop. I then took the baby and sat with the pup, letting her know the baby is a good thing.

I have done some reading on this problem online, and know not to scold or punish the dog, as the current school of thought is that it will teach her to
supress the warning growl and possibly go right to biting.

we NEVER leave the two alone, and we are trying lots of positive reinforcement with the dogs whenever they are near the baby. 99 percent of the time, she is tail wagging and happy to come see the baby. She just does not like baby coming to her. Aside from being vigilant about limiting their intaction, any thoughts? We have had both dogs for almost 3 years, and they are both good dogs. We have done therapy dog work with the golden, but he is scared of the baby as well.

 

[Hank]

My Saints needed their own space. You mentioned the baby going on or toward her bed which is of course "her space." We made nuetral ground for dogs and baby and by crawling time the saints would corral the baby like body guards with never a growl. My 19 month old plays with the remaining living saint rough but he always has an out. He can go in his room or to his bed in his corner and my daughter is not allowed there. This was needed for about two months and now they are inseperable. If you are like my family, the saints were our first children and got a bit jealous when baby Kathryn came. They still need their love but they do need to know all creatures with opposing thumbs get priority. I may have other tips if you have more questions. We currently have TJ, a 3.5 year old, 160lb Saint, Kali Jane a 6 year old chocolate Lab who we have only had for a few weeks and Captain Jack who is a 9 month old Newfoundland. They live with my wife and I and our 19 month old daughter in our smallish house. All dogs know that Kathryn gets priority and they are to tolerate hands in their mouth, pulling of ears and tails, poking at eyes, tickling of feet etc. BUT, they each have their "kid free" place they can go to tell us they are done with the kid for a while. They rarely leave her but when needed it works great.

HTH

 

[photogod]

Dog growls at infant.... Dog goes!

 

[Japan4X4]

Porkchop pajamas will make the dog less inclined to growl.

Can't help much, three little girls and no dog.

 

[cruiser88]

i brought home a blue heeler last year,upon arrival the dog started what you are describing, never did it go anymore than snaping at the air and a slight growl.now when i say snapping at the air she did not lunge at the children.now im been raised on a farm always the heelers where outside.they where working dogs as you well know.it did not take me long to realize that she CONSIDERED the kids as a job dam thats why she is herding them into a room or a corner,which was cute .its her space,the dog is trying to tell you and the ba. may i suggest sometype of barrier to keep the baby from the dogs personal space then all will be good

 

[fsusteve]

Dog growls at infant.... Dog goes!

x2, it's not worth worrying about that 1% of the time...

 

[rabid]

Thanks for the responses so far. The insight from another Saint owner is very helpful.

I know the logical answer is for the dog to go. However, this is not a bad dog. It is a new situation that I am hoping she learns to deal with. The first time I feel the child is threatend the dog will go. So far, they have been warnings, nothing else. When a lip comes up, or she snaps at the baby, I will be swift in finding a good home for an otherwise great dog.

From what I have read, this is not an unusual occurace. This is fairly common with infants and dogs. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar instance, and how they dealt with it.

 

[MrMoMo]

I would agree with the "invasion of space" theory, and also that the dog may just be trying to assert it's place in the pack, there is a newcomer who - in your dogs mind - needs to know pecking order. During play time there is no pecking order, but when it comes time for eating or resting, perhaps your dog thinks there is.

Sounds more like a "Leave me alone" type growl.

Our dog has only once growled, my wife had given it a new chew toy and it just went wild with it. After about 1/2 an hour my wife went to take it away as it was getting pretty soggy. Normally this would not even result in a tug or fight for the toy, but with this one there was a "don't you even THINK of touching MY playtoy -and I'm serious" growl. The dog never got that chewtoy back again.

 

[rgsiii]

x2, it's not worth worrying about that 1% of the time...

x3. It would take just a few seconds to turn your baby into a poster child. I don't think it is worth the risk.

 

[LK1]

Have you considered getting rid of



























the kid?!




J/K

 

[dgangle]

Been there. Gotta watch them both every second. Or separate them as others have mentioned. Even the very best of dogs...just one time and you can't replace an eyeball. It has and will happen again.

 

[Red Herring]

Dog or baby... hope you choose well.

 

[speyrod]

A friend had a good dog. His daughter got about 80 stitches and lost 2 teeth, when if felt like being bad.

My bro in law is a plastic surgeon, most kid stuff he repairs is dog bites.

Simple, dump the pooch or keep it outside until the kid is much older.

 

[rabid]

Thanks again, all those who replied. We are, of course, talking about finding a home for the dog. I may talk to a dog behavioralist first. Those that replied, do any of you have both a child and a dog? Dgangle, what did you do in your scenario?
The golden is the dog that I would think would bite first, as he was a rescue and s scared to death of the crawling baby. Any time the baby is crawling, he leaves the area. Quickly. I read that this is acceptable behavior,so we are less concerned. The saint is that one who is too stubborn to move, and definately feels like she is above him in pack order. That is what we are trying to break. THis morning, she came over to the infant and I (playing on the ground in another room) and wanted to be pet. She let the infant (under CLOSE supervision) pat her face, pat her sides, etc.

I am not foolish, however, and know that the dog will most likely have to go. As much as I love the dog, choosing between the dog and the child is not a hard choice. I am just doing my best to see if the situation can be remedied in the home.

Eric- have you read this? Not a pit bull question, but a dog and kids question.

 

[crushers]

I have done some reading on this problem online, and know not to scold or punish the dog, as the current school of thought is that it will teach her to
supress the warning growl and possibly go right to biting.
.

what the hell is this?!?

am i the only one that is thinking of the old "spank a kid, ruin a genius" idea?

dogs have to be disiplined, NOT BEAT, NOT ABUSED but disiplined for sure. what idiot came up with this idea?

as for the baby vs growling dog, buddy, if the dog is growling then keep the baby away. the dog wants some space. want a great "baby dog?" then get a Lab

 

[Hank]

If the Saint has to go, please pm me.

 

[bkfj40]

x2, it's not worth worrying about that 1% of the time...

screw that....get rid of the infant!


bk

 

[fsusteve]

what the hell is this?!?

am i the only one that is thinking of the old "spank a kid, ruin a genius" idea?

dogs have to be disiplined, NOT BEAT, NOT ABUSED but disiplined for sure. what idiot came up with this idea?

as for the baby vs growling dog, buddy, if the dog is growling then keep the baby away. the dog wants some space. want a great "baby dog?" then get a Lab

No your not. When one wants to rationalize, one will. My conventional wisdom tells me if I think there's a problem then the dog stays outside or goes. Easy peezy...

 

[Exiled]

Damn, Dan, that's a tough choice, but I agree, I would rather find another loving home for the dog than risk a potentially tragic situation.

We worried about this a lot when my son Mathias was born, until then Max (blue heeler, 5.5 at the time, 8 now) had ruled the roost. He was confused at first and ignored my son for at least the first year, but ever since they're able to play with each other, it's been completely different.

We're at T-minus five days for the arrival of our second son, so we've been discussing the dog situation. We hope this time it's easier!

 

[Red Herring]

what the hell is this?!?

am i the only one that is thinking of the old "spank a kid, ruin a genius" idea?

dogs have to be disiplined, NOT BEAT, NOT ABUSED but disiplined for sure. what idiot came up with this idea?

as for the baby vs growling dog, buddy, if the dog is growling then keep the baby away. the dog wants some space. want a great "baby dog?" then get a Lab

LOL! Right on Wayne! I think that might be from the metrosexual dog hand book.


We have a Collie Shepard cross, and she does not like babies either. Whenever, the baby comes close, she leaves the room. Thats fine. If she ever growled or showed any aggression towards the baby, it would be a no brainer. You HAVE to trust your dog around the kids. Even if the baby cornered her, pulled her ears, stuck her fingers in her eyes, Heidi would sit here and take it with out retaliation... then leave the room.

The dog now likes out 2 year old... so it does turn around. But aggression cannot be tolerated.