Visiting a home with a dog - baby in tow

jenhug

If it were my baby nephew visiting me and my dogs, i'd give them a good walk before he arrived, allow a quick "hello" when baby arrives (ie a sniff from a distance) then the dogs would be put out to their beds in another room for their comfort and the babies safety. Babies smell wonderful and make fantastic noises that interest and excite dogs. I adore my dogs and have them on a pedastal in my heart, but I would never run the risk of them harming my darling nephew. Accidents happen so quickly, I would never forgive myself.

System

mrcol1000 wrote: »

However there is a good chance the dog will nip the child

Why? Where did you get that idea from?

tandraig

I started to read all this thread - then got fed up of dog slaves saying dont visit!
I would say dont visit for a different reason - you dont trust the owners not the dog!
when I had dogs if someone wanted to visit and was nervous about the dog - although both mine were softies - i would undestand and keep the dog away.
but, if visiting for a length of time - would suggest the dog met the baby under supervision. mine...as I know the dog! and would also suggest that the dog meets the baby on visitors lap! minimises jealousy.
tbh hun - If you are both nervous around dogs - you dont trust the family not to let the dog in - then dont go! dream up a family emergency or snow or whatever. or tell the truth. up to you.

mikey72

Hintza wrote: »

This is obviously an issue even before the event.

If it was me I would play it by ear (bearing in mind it is someone elses home) keep a close eye on the dog and the baby but hopefully they can meet and the dog and the baby will learn from the experience. Obviously you need to be careful but take it one step at a time.

Sounds like the dog hasn't been properly socialised and is a bit of a pain. But you also want to ensure that the baby is socialised and meets as many other people/animals as well.

Try not to make it a huge issue though which will cause a family fall out on Christmas day.

The baby can socailise when it has enough motor skills to kick the dog into touch. As he/she is only 4 months old I'd take the family fall out at present.
As for the dog, as it hasn't met any kids yet, any volunteers from the posters out there.
I'm with Jenhug and Tandraig, and if the owners can't be trusted to respect your point of view, it's obvious what comes first to them.

Fire_Fox

SugarSpun wrote: »

I'm looking for some advice, please. My brother has a miniature Schnauzer, it's a barking dog and doesn't like people coming into its territory. It's never bitten, but will bark loudly and sometimes growl.

My husband, four-month-old baby and I are visiting my family over Christmas, and we've asked that the dog not be allowed in the room with the baby. The dog has never met a child before.

The problem isn't the dog, per se, so much as my brother and my parents. They seem not to understand my concerns and don't believe that the dog's going to be a problem. I can see my brother, especially, deliberately letting the dog in. The baby's frightened by loud noises, and I'm worried that her crying will spur the dog on to louder barking, which will make her cry louder and ... you get the picture. My husband had a scary encounter with a dog when he was young and ended up with a long-term fear of dogs. We don't want the small one to have the same fear.

Is there any way I can minimise disruption for dog and baby in a way that means we still get to go to their house? And is there any way to quickly calm an upset dog or is the easiest thing just to remove the baby (and ourselves, obviously)?

What exactly is the problem - your husband's phobia of dogs, your fear of your child getting frightened, the possibility of dog being vicious? At four months old, your child will only develop a long-term phobia if you and/ or your husband display fear, in which case it is the ADULTS emotions that needs addressing, not the noise made by the dog. If the dog's behaviour is deemed to be a risk then of course do not allow your child to be in the same room as the dog under any circumstances. Your child is unlikely to be frightened by ALL loud noises, far more likely to be frightened by loud unaccustomed noises, which the dog won't be if the two are introduced sensibly.

cyberbob

Fire_Fox wrote: »

At four months old, your child will only develop a long-term phobia if you and/ or your husband display fear,

One visit does not create a phobia. Christmas visits are not really the best time to try and get children used to dogs as there is so much going on for the dog and the child. A christmas meet up isn't exactly a controlled environment.

Trying to force your dog on people doesn't make people like dogs. When I was a child we had relatives we used to visit who had 2 spoilt yorkshire terriers. When you visited they insisted on putting them on you and would let them run all over and they wouldn't leave you alone. We used to do everything we could as children to get out of this visit.

My Sister still has a strong dislike/phobia of dogs now (she is 50) she is OK with ours as he just ignores her and keeps away but if he approaches she freaks out.

Personally I would just not visit and if anyone asks be honest with your reasons

SugarSpun

I just wanted to thank everyone - there was some interesting discussion

We used the introduce-the-dog-gradually method, he has the lead on whenever the baby's in the same room and he's been getting treats whenever he behaves himself and put in another room or outside when he doesn't. He was a bit inclined to jump up on my knee at first, which would be fine if he didn't have sharp little toes that hurt me and would hurt the little one too, so he's been admonished for that as well.

I've been as careful making sure the baby doesn't annoy the dog - whenever she screams she's been taken into another room too so he doesn't think she's getting special treatment

Merry Christmas!

Froglet

I am so pleased everything has gone well for you so that you could enjoy Christmas with your family.All it takes is some common sense and care on all sides.Well done.

alocacoc

I feel sorry for the OP Ive never read such ridiclous replies over whether the dog should be put in another room whilst a baby visits

its a dog for crikes sake not another 6 month old baby

To The OP next time in this situation firmly but politely tell your family your wishes youll be respected a lot more for it

Raksha

alocacoc wrote: »

I feel sorry for the OP Ive never read such ridiclous replies over whether the dog should be put in another room whilst a baby visits

its a dog for crikes sake not another 6 month old baby

To The OP next time in this situation firmly but politely tell your family your wishes youll be respected a lot more for it

Regardless of how ridiculous you feel the replies were, the OP seems to have had a succesful outcome, and hopefully both sides were satisfied.