Need Help - Bullie scared of baby
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Need Help - Bullie scared of baby
Submitted by Anonymous on April 20, 2010 - 11:14pmHi, I have a 7 y/o bulldog who has never ever shown any aggression towards a person or child. He is well socialized and always welcoming to our friends and their children. He has always shown cautious interest in our infant, but now that she is crawling- he is very very nervous around her. I can tell he is frightened by his defensive stance when she is near (ears back, always looking through the corner of his eye). And yesterday while I was on the floor with them both - he growled and snapped - not biting her at all- but scaring me to death. Looking back- I realize that he was cornered in the spot he was sitting in which I am sure added to his anxiety. He has always been skiddish - barking at every chair, lamp, etc that he deems out of place. While I would NEVER leave then together unattended, I do want to take steps to calm his anxiety. So here is what I am thinking my next steps are, please let me know if you think these steps are not appropriate or if you have ideas to add...
1- Bring back the crate. He used to love it - it was his safe spot. Currently he considers the couch in the living room his safe spot, but since that is right in baby territory- I want to relocate his safe spot to another room. Any tips on "de-couchpotato-ing" a dog?? Will "moving" him cause even more anxiousness?
2- Familiarize him with the baby (and her quick movements)in a non-threatening environment. How to do this without putting her in danger??
3- Re-socialize? When he was a pup- we brought him everywhere and he loved it. Now- with the baby and a busier life- we have been less than perfect at getting him out of the house. Any thoughts? Would a going back to a obedience class be of any benefit?
I appreciate any help you may be able to offer.
It takes time
for some bulldogs to adjust. I have a male and female, simon and maybull. simon has acted exactly like yours since our son was born (21 months ago). VERY slowly, he has adjusted to the quick movements, toy throwing, chasing. Many times Simon would run for his life when the baby started crawling or walking. Simon growled and "yapped" one time only, because he was cornered. Never happened again (knock on wood). ur son knows how to pat gently and only pat the "belly" (which is actually their back). To be honest, I think that when both dogs saw me protect them and stand up for them ("rescue" them from the baby!), they were more at ease. It will work out fine, feel free to email with any questions!! and yes they loved their crates even more after the baby came home!
It takes time
for some bulldogs to adjust. I have a male and female, simon and maybull. simon has acted exactly like yours since our son was born (21 months ago). VERY slowly, he has adjusted to the quick movements, toy throwing, chasing. Many times Simon would run for his life when the baby started crawling or walking. Simon growled and "yapped" one time only, because he was cornered. Never happened again (knock on wood). ur son knows how to pat gently and only pat the "belly" (which is actually their back). To be honest, I think that when both dogs saw me protect them and stand up for them ("rescue" them from the baby!), they were more at ease. It will work out fine, feel free to email with any questions!! and yes they loved their crates even more after the baby came home!
my 2 cents
I would attempt to desensitize him to the baby. Of course she will become more and more active as time goes on. I believe to change any of his routine is unfair and you would be causing more anxiety than ever. He won`t understand why it is happening. Feed him cookies/kibble when he is near the baby. Feed him his meal as close to the baby as possible, moving the dish closer and closer each time as long as he seems comfortable. If he is way too nervous to eat, keep the food dish far away and just inch by inch move over to baby. It may take time and patience but will be worth it. If he is not all that food movitated, use high value treats like cheese or chicken weiners, etc. Hand feed when baby is close.
The thinking is he will hopefully start thinking "being close to baby is associated with something positive, yeh!
Good luck, he will come around with hard work, repetition and praise galore.
my 2 cents
I would attempt to desensitize him to the baby. Of course she will become more and more active as time goes on. I believe to change any of his routine is unfair and you would be causing more anxiety than ever. He won`t understand why it is happening. Feed him cookies/kibble when he is near the baby. Feed him his meal as close to the baby as possible, moving the dish closer and closer each time as long as he seems comfortable. If he is way too nervous to eat, keep the food dish far away and just inch by inch move over to baby. It may take time and patience but will be worth it. If he is not all that food movitated, use high value treats like cheese or chicken weiners, etc. Hand feed when baby is close.
The thinking is he will hopefully start thinking "being close to baby is associated with something positive, yeh!
Good luck, he will come around with hard work, repetition and praise galore.
Comments
First of all, thank you for not throwing out the dog with yesterday's newspaper as a few owners do (those sad senior dogs that come into rescue not understanding why their home is suddenly gone) and I'm sure that we can help you all "adjust".
Yes, IMHO, you can help the dog by relocating his usual resting area away from the baby. He is entitled to his own quiet safe area, whether that is behind a baby gate or in his crate, for a reasonable amount of time, but that needs to be balanced with some moderate walks (15min??) outside to get that circulation moving too (and he will rest better if he's tired out a bit from a good morning and evening walk). Walking the dog with the child in the stroller can also keep them "close" without physical contact. Do take the dog with you when time and weather permit, for short outings (works well if spouse is along).
If you have not already discovered the need for baby gates, you soon will! Get ones that are sturdy enough to take a little "bumping" as you will want the child safe from stairs, computer cords, patio exits, etc. and these will work to separate out the dog on the other side. Always feed the dog behind a gate or somewhere safe. Allowing the child to 'chase' the dog is unfair to the dog...but allowing the child to 'steal' his food is an invitation to a bite!!
Comments
First of all, thank you for not throwing out the dog with yesterday's newspaper as a few owners do (those sad senior dogs that come into rescue not understanding why their home is suddenly gone) and I'm sure that we can help you all "adjust".
Yes, IMHO, you can help the dog by relocating his usual resting area away from the baby. He is entitled to his own quiet safe area, whether that is behind a baby gate or in his crate, for a reasonable amount of time, but that needs to be balanced with some moderate walks (15min??) outside to get that circulation moving too (and he will rest better if he's tired out a bit from a good morning and evening walk). Walking the dog with the child in the stroller can also keep them "close" without physical contact. Do take the dog with you when time and weather permit, for short outings (works well if spouse is along).
If you have not already discovered the need for baby gates, you soon will! Get ones that are sturdy enough to take a little "bumping" as you will want the child safe from stairs, computer cords, patio exits, etc. and these will work to separate out the dog on the other side. Always feed the dog behind a gate or somewhere safe. Allowing the child to 'chase' the dog is unfair to the dog...but allowing the child to 'steal' his food is an invitation to a bite!!
Thank you!
Thank you all for your help and encouragement. It is all helpful and great advice that I am sure will help us work through this rough patch. It is nice to know when faced with problems like these there are so many kind and supportive people out there wanting to help. Thanks again ~M
Thank you!
Thank you all for your help and encouragement. It is all helpful and great advice that I am sure will help us work through this rough patch. It is nice to know when faced with problems like these there are so many kind and supportive people out there wanting to help. Thanks again ~M
great, great post! :o) (nm)
Bubble Gum, Anyone?
"Bullies make me SMILE
great, great post! :o) (nm)
Bubble Gum, Anyone?
"Bullies make me SMILE
Looking at it from the dog's point of view
I think he is doing a good job. He is communicating his discomfort, pay attention. The stiffened body/ears back was a good warning but being cornered, he felt the need to up his communication and he growled snapped. Be happy that he has good bite control, he could have seriously injured your baby but he made a better choice. The first time he warned should have been enough for you to not let it happen a second time.
He definately needs a "safe" place but I wouldn't force him into it, he may feel like he is being punished for something. For now, when the baby is on the floor moving around, you might want to put him in another room with a great chew toy like a marrow bone stuffed with something yummy like peanut butter, cheese, liverwurst etc., etc.,
Work on getting him to believe that all good things happen when the baby is around. Hold the baby on your lap, have him sit in front of you and give him the best treats in the world. Tiny pieces of hot dog/cheese/roast beef/chicken work wonders to get a dogs attention. Practice/practice/practice. Then you can move on to the baby on the floor, in an extremely controlled environment with another adult present, dog on leash, lots of space between dog and baby, have the other adult give treats to the dog. Do this for maybe 30 seconds and end the session. Increase the sessions as he becomes more comfortable.
He may never be completely comfortable with the baby but you want to lessen the stress and teach him alternatives like going to his "safe" place when he has had enough. As I am sure you know, management is absolute with any dog and a child.
good luck
Lots of books to help you. One of my favorites
"Raising Puppes and Kids Together"
Pia Silvani CPDT and Lynn Eckhardt
I know you don't have a puppy, but there is tons of good info in the book.
You can order it and many others at dogwise.com
Lynn King CPDT
Looking at it from the dog's point of view
I think he is doing a good job. He is communicating his discomfort, pay attention. The stiffened body/ears back was a good warning but being cornered, he felt the need to up his communication and he growled snapped. Be happy that he has good bite control, he could have seriously injured your baby but he made a better choice. The first time he warned should have been enough for you to not let it happen a second time.
He definately needs a "safe" place but I wouldn't force him into it, he may feel like he is being punished for something. For now, when the baby is on the floor moving around, you might want to put him in another room with a great chew toy like a marrow bone stuffed with something yummy like peanut butter, cheese, liverwurst etc., etc.,
Work on getting him to believe that all good things happen when the baby is around. Hold the baby on your lap, have him sit in front of you and give him the best treats in the world. Tiny pieces of hot dog/cheese/roast beef/chicken work wonders to get a dogs attention. Practice/practice/practice. Then you can move on to the baby on the floor, in an extremely controlled environment with another adult present, dog on leash, lots of space between dog and baby, have the other adult give treats to the dog. Do this for maybe 30 seconds and end the session. Increase the sessions as he becomes more comfortable.
He may never be completely comfortable with the baby but you want to lessen the stress and teach him alternatives like going to his "safe" place when he has had enough. As I am sure you know, management is absolute with any dog and a child.
good luck
Lots of books to help you. One of my favorites
"Raising Puppes and Kids Together"
Pia Silvani CPDT and Lynn Eckhardt
I know you don't have a puppy, but there is tons of good info in the book.
You can order it and many others at dogwise.com
Lynn King CPDT
Belive me...it is possible to make this work ;)
I have 9 bullies, a 2 year old 2 legger and an 11 month old 2 legger
I am not going to promise you it happens overnight! But all of my dogs deal well with my children. Some better than others. I NEVER let my kids pick on the dogs. Now I have two or three dogs that would rather wrestle on the ground with the kids than sit on the couch (and they are allowed to do so). I step in if it gets out of hand in anyway.
My grumpy dog would have been Einstein and he was the hardest to adjust to my son. He is 4 and has ALWAYS been spoiled. When my son was born he kinda took his spot - or so Einstein I am sure felt like he did. I just had to relocate Einstein's safe spots so that they were truelly SAFE from the kiddos. He adjusted! He still doesn't LOVE my children but he does deal with them. BABY GATES and CRATES!!! All of my dogs have adjusted to our children.
If you want email me and I will help you in anyway that I can!
Belive me...it is possible to make this work ;)
I have 9 bullies, a 2 year old 2 legger and an 11 month old 2 legger
I am not going to promise you it happens overnight! But all of my dogs deal well with my children. Some better than others. I NEVER let my kids pick on the dogs. Now I have two or three dogs that would rather wrestle on the ground with the kids than sit on the couch (and they are allowed to do so). I step in if it gets out of hand in anyway.
My grumpy dog would have been Einstein and he was the hardest to adjust to my son. He is 4 and has ALWAYS been spoiled. When my son was born he kinda took his spot - or so Einstein I am sure felt like he did. I just had to relocate Einstein's safe spots so that they were truelly SAFE from the kiddos. He adjusted! He still doesn't LOVE my children but he does deal with them. BABY GATES and CRATES!!! All of my dogs have adjusted to our children.
If you want email me and I will help you in anyway that I can!