New baby and dog

Shepherd1

meritaten wrote: »

awwww - some company for the night feeds! how lovely! I swear dogs seem to instinctively know their place in the family hierarchy when babies arrive!

Yes their company was appreciated even when they were tired and I could tell they didn't want to get up they still did.

I agree they def know their place in the family once my daughter started talking she could instruct them just the same as me or my husband and they did everything that was asked of them. My daughter had a fantastic relationship with them and she misses them a lot.

meritaten

yes - my dogs respected the 'humans'! even the kids could take both dogs through their 'trick' repertoire!

I am no 'expert' on dogs - but, always trained the dogs and the kids to respect each other. my dogs were great with kids - but was that because I was 'lucky' or because I made the kids treat the dogs with respect and they got involved in 'training' the dogs? I don't know! all I know is that the kids and dogs got along and both enjoyed the company of the others!

Wellyboots6

I'd have a good 'away' command too. I use it for LS when he is wet or muddy and I don't want him touching me! It's also good for if you are eating or holding hot cups of tea. He backs away to a couple of meters and stays there for a bit.

As much as a plonker as he is, he calms instantly around children. He seems to have that instinct. He doesn't fuss over them and gives them space (not like adults!) but that in turn seems to have an effect on the children where they calm around him and give him space.

He spent hours on Sunday pottering around the woods with my friends 5 year old. Even when the little boy started running round, LS followed but didn't chase.

You may be surprised!