dog and child

pboae

Buddy Banana gives good advice, encouraging your dog to associate the baby with positive things will help a lot.

I very much doubt pack theory has anything to do with it (though I would say that). Adult dogs don't compete with babies (or puppies) for pack placement. Many dogs dislike toddlers, it's often particularly hard for parents because the dog was fine when the child was a baby and suddenly starts to act up when the child is older. Parents are expecting possible jealousy when the baby first arrives, but the warnings suddenly happening later come as a surprise.

But toddlers can be hard for a dog to understand. They move too quickly, behave erratically, have high pitched voices and squeal and squeak. All of which can be disturbing to a dog.

Also they tend to be very heavy handed. For example, it may look to you like the baby is stroking the dog. But actually he may be leaning on him with all his weight. It's completely natural for a toddler to do that, but it can be very uncomfortable for the dog.

So, I would say, first follow BBs advice, lots of good positive interactions. Don't ever leave your baby unatteneded with your dog (and that goes for all babies and dogs). Make sure your dog has a safe place it can go, either a crate or a bed, or another room. But somewhere where he can go and know that he will not be disturbed. Teach your child he must not ever bother the dog when he is in his safe place.

Please don't be tempted to punish your dog for giving warnings. He's telling you he's unhappy and giving you the opportunity to do something about it. That is much better and much safer than a dog that has been taught not to growl, so you don't even know they are upset. It's that sort of dog that ends up biting without warning. Also, pay close attention to the occasions when he does growl or snarl and see if you can see any particular triggers.

But hopefully, if you follow Buddy Bananas ideas, there won't be any more warnings.

Daisy_Daisy_2

pboae makes good points but I don't feel that the pack theory should be discounted.
There is a good article here
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdogchild.htm

which says what I was trying to say a bit clearer - although it is aimed at an older child than your son.
maybe it will help a little?

pboae

and this is a very brief summary on why pack theory simply doesn't apply to human/dog interactions. ;-)
http://www.deaf-dogs-help.co.uk/help/packleader.htm
but this argument has been done to death on this board, and neither side is likely to give ground, so I don't want to drag this thread off on a tangent.

Daisy_Daisy_2

Well sorry Bakerlad, it just goes to show the differences of opinion!:o
wasn't trying to put your post down pboae, just sharing the sort of theorys that have worked for me.
I guess that what works for one dog doesn't necessarily work for another, but we have had 3 well adjusted happy dogs, so we must have done somthing right!
having said that, you do make very good points in your post, I jsut hope we havn't confused bakerlad !

pboae

Not at all Daisy Daisy, just that this comes up fairly regularly and sometimes ends up descending into a bit of a slanging match, then the OPs original question gets lost and the thread is useless. So I'm making a real effort these days not to let that happen anymore.

MrsTinks

I would tend to agree with pboae on this one - whilst yes the dog needs to knwo your son is higher in the rank than your son then I don't think it's the problem here.
I think there are a few issues - Breed: JRs are in my experience snappy and not a good small child pet - others may have different experiences, these are just mine! I've just never met a good JR/toddler combination...
Fear biting: Whilst he hasn't yet bitten then I think it's more likely that this is a fear bite type of aggression - hard to tell though without physically seeing it, but majority of aggression to toddlers if because of a bad experience where the dog has been hurt by a young child being simply careless or even scared because the child is incredibly loud. My dog thankfully thinks screaming crying children need her to belly wriggle up to them so she can comfort them... my cats however grew up with young children till they were 8 weeks and they were a little rough with them... They will run a mile if they see a child under 10 near them! ABsolutely petrified!
Keep doing positive association and also make sure you have some quality time with just the dog.

bakerlad1983

pboae is exactly right with what happens, my son gets over excited and just wants to pat him, my dog then backs up and wonders what the hell is going on, am guessing he can be heavy handed and this prob does upset him, i think ill go along the route of trying to associat him with treats and good stuff first as that doesnt cost much, if no better will try someone professional.

Daisy_Daisy_2

Having thought about it (which is probaly what I should have done a bit more of earlier! ) I realise that I can't actually remember what a 15 month old child acts like (mine are all hulking teenagers!) and I would agree that perhaps its difficult for your dog to understand what such a person is all about! I guess because he doesn't behave like an adult, his behavior could be mis-interpreted, and so worry the dog. despite all I said earlier I would agree with pboae in that patience is a virtue in this case.
apologies for giving anyone wrong ideas, I am guessing that pboae is much more experienced about dogs than I am?

I only open my mouth to change feet ! :rotfl:

lavidaloca

I think you have had some excellent advice and can't add anymore but to say well done for asking for help and not reacting by saying the dog has to go - like most people do.