dog and child

bakerlad1983

we have a jack russell who is about 4yrs old now, we also have a litlle boy who is 15 months. now our jack russell seems v scared of our boy when he talks and wants to stroke him. our boy loves him to death but the dog has growled and looks like he would give a warning bite if given the chance.
we dont want to get rid of the dog as our son comes first. so i was wondering if anyone has any tips of how to build up the relationship between them or is it too late.

many thanks

Daisy_Daisy_2

Hi, obviously the Jack Russell came first, and then your son, given the ages!
we have had 2 jack russells and they have both been fine with children, but you need to think like a dog to understand it.
the jack russell is responding to what he thinks as a threat to his position in the 'pack' eg your family. He is trying to tell your son to 'back off' as he probably thinks that he should be above your son in the pack order (as he was here first!), because those in the higher order generally make the first move. you may have to be extremely strict in your dealings with the dog in order that he gets the picture that your son now 'outranks' him. You will have to teach your son in time how to speak to the dog in order that the dog thinks he is in charge. Jack russells are usually very thick skinned but quick to try and take over. You need to nip it in the bud very quickly!

bakerlad1983

that is what we are trying to do, we have had the dog since he was a pup and he is soft as a brush as you can imagine so we are trying to introduce them slowly and show that our boy is not a threat, at the moment though he is too young to say be quiet as he wants to do what he wants, guess its just patience, we are just worried about him being bitten

Daisy_Daisy_2

It's difficult i know!
I am sure you are doing whats best. One thing you could try is let the dog approach your son when he is asleep so that he can sniff him and generally find out all about him (which is what dogs want to do!) I guess that as he is a softy he is unlikely to bite and its just a warning, but you could try telling him 'no' when he growls. I think patience would pay off, and keep things slow until your son is old enough to interact with the dog more in a way he will understand?

tootie

I agree with Daisy - patience usually pays off when it comes to teaching pets AND children!

Just remember not to over-react (don't take that the wrong way!) it's just that many new parents do their best to keep the animals away from their new baby and start over reacting when the pet gets too close (probably because they fear it may bite) but this can also alienate the pet and make them feel pushed out thus adding to the rivalry.

Sit down with them together and let your dog come over and have a good sniff and see what this little thing is. As soon as the dog realises that the baby is not a threat then they will start to bond. Just make sure baby only interacts with the dog when you are around to start with as they do have a tendancy to grab out at things they want and this might upset your dog until they get used to each other.

Good Luck

Daisy_Daisy_2

good advice!

bakerlad1983

he has given our son a warning , this is why we are a bit wary, he is very mobile our lad and now can open the door (he is very big for his age) he is gentle with the dog and we always are with him and the dog, the dog is fine if i put my sons hand on him its just if he see him doing it on his own when am there he will growl and his fur goes up along the middle of his back.

Buddy_Banana

Hi
The dog raising his hackles is a BIG warning sign! be extremely careful but DO NOT punish the dog either as he will associate your son with bad things...
If I were you I would have a very small training session each day/evening where you sit on the floor with your son on your knee and have loads of treats ready.. everytime the dog comes over to him give him a treat (get him to hold his hand flat with the treat on it for the dog to take or to throw it on the floor - not to reach towards the dog to give it to him - just let the dog take it himself) this will help build a stronger bond between your son and dog

bakerlad1983

sounds good to me, just got to stop my son from eating them lol

Daisy_Daisy_2

buddy banana thatt sounds sensible - get the dog to associate the child with good things

t_r

Obviously do not on any ocasion leave the dog in the same room as your son unattended, even if you are just making a cup of tea. It's hard I know.
I have got a British bulldog lodging with me at the moment and the if the Mrs has to pop upstairs the dog goes in its crate. If she goes in the kitchen the dog goes too. My own dog is treated the same.
It is unusual for a dog to be agresive towards a pup because a toddler should pose no threat to it.(will see him as being way below in the pecking order) Is your dog a submisive dog? If it is it might feel threatened hence the warning signs.

Best advice wouldnbe to get a profesional behaviourist in small price to pay in the sceme of things