x-post: dog nipping baby

[crunchy_mommy]

I didn't realize there was a pets forum here! This is cross-posted on Family Safety:

My friend's dog has been nipping at her baby.... the baby is 10 months old (same as my DS) and she is playful with the dog & loves him... she likes to pet the dog but also doesn't understand yet that hitting hurts. The dog tries to be a good sport but I have seen him nip her once or twice (not break the skin, more like a warning nip). I know my friend adores the dog so she is heartbroken & doesn't know what to do. She can't afford a professional trainer, and doesn't want to get rid of the dog (but she's already said that she will if it comes down to that). The dog also tends to be a little hyperactive too which is scary but he is a small dog and she just picks him up & puts him outside when he's too fiesty.

Any ideas I can pass on to her? For now she is just keeping the dog separate but that basically means the dog is outside or locked in one room all day & not very happy.

[Ola_]

Sounds like the dog and baby need some separation at this point. I'd only allow them together when one of the parents can be right there and able to intervene.

This doesn't mean that the dog needs to be outside or locked in a room - baby gates are great for protecting both babies and pets. And in this case it sounds like the dog needs as much protection as the baby. It's not fair to put him in a position where he's being hurt and then he will be given up or euthanized because he has a "bite record".

Also, and I'm sure this is a common problem for parents with little ones, it sounds like the dog needs more exercise. Not "put out in the yard" exercise, but going on walks, playing fetch, training and teaching tricks (mental exercise). Especially during stressful or transition times like having a new baby pets get really stressed out and exercise helps to relieve that (as it does in humans). Perhaps they can take the dog on walks with the baby, one of the partners can take the dog while the other is watching the little one, get a neighbour's teenager to walk the dog for a few bucks, or get a dog walker (good ones can even work them through some training commands on walks). And if she has any family or friends who are looking for ways to help this would be a great (and easy) suggestion for them!

Good luck to your friend!

[crunchy_mommy]

Thanks for your reply. I think she has tried using baby gates in the past but the dog has jumped over them!

She does walk him and the baby together but it's getting really cold here so it's harder for her to get out much, but I've seen her walking them both around the neighborhood. :-/ I think the dog was much happier when he was the "baby" of the family.

[Ola_]

There are some trick you can use with baby gates. Set an item in front so it's harder for him to get a running start, angle them inwards (towards the dog), stack two on top of each other. They also make some gates that are taller. I'd suggest lifting it up off the floor to raise the height, but you said it's a small dog so this may give him room to scoot underneath.

A crate would be another great tool, not sure if she has one of these already. But she'd still have to watch the kiddo to make sure she's not pestering the dog and poking him in there!

Good or bad weather, he will need to be exercised. If they have a yard they can play with him there (fetch with tennis balls, frisbee, or even squeaky toys is great) assuming there's not a buildup of ice like we had here last week. In case of ice in backyard I play fetch with my dogs on carpeted areas (hallways and basements are great for this).

If she has any food toys those would be great for when she's separating them. Kong has different ones as do many other companies (you can get more durable ones for strong chewers or softer ones). I have one dog that gets things out easily so she needs to be challenged, and one that needs easy things or he'll just leave it, so I can give you suggestions for either one. But something like a slice of salami unrolled against the inside walls of a Kong usually gives a while of amusement! Or even a simple smear of peanut butter.

[velcromom]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

I think the dog was much happier when he was the "baby" of the family.

It's tough to be bumped downward in status, and some dogs don't go quietly. There is a way of handling a dog to reinforce the dominance of the humans in the "pack", it would be a good thing to do here. No Free Lunches It's not a foolproof method IME, if a dog is seriously dominant it is going to always seek to rise up in the ranks over other "pack members". I had one dog that never did stop challenging. A family is simply not the right situation for every dog. I had to let that one go... he needed a different situation.

One thing I did right away with a different dog of mine, is that I had the baby "feed" the dog - the dog doesn't need to be in the room, just so that they see the food being put in their bowl "by the baby" (held & helped by me). Food is controlled by higher ranking pack members so seeing the baby "in control" of their food helps reinforce that the baby is their superior in the ranks.