My dog and my new grandson

We have recently lost our rescue Staffy. We stopped her licking faces when we first got her which helped and it didn't take long for her to realise we didn't like face licking. She, Molly, absolutely loved children and babies and would always sit with them, or by their prams, when they came to visit. They are known as the Nanny Dog. Definitely need to stop the licking though. Personally, I think keeping them apart is a bad idea as the dog, especially Staffies, would feel rejected. They thrive on human interaction.

I have absolutely nothing against kids and dogs mixing and think it’s normally great for the dog and the child and the family I had a dog when my youngest was about 6 and both had a very lovely relationship I was convinced pets were very good for kids and over the years we had rabbits, gerbils, snakes, terrapins and a cat however none of my three children have gone on to have pets for their children (so that didn’t work)
My whole ’antiness’ is purely about a very small very helpless baby being ‘forced’ to be friends with a lovely boisterous but highly protective breed of dog Why not wait until the baby is old enough to be taught how to treat the dog and the dog is much more used to the child
If nothing else it seems to be causing a rift between the males and females in the family

More children are killed and injured by family members than by Dogs.

On a positive note here is an excellent article from the Blue Cross that the OP might want to read

Keeping your family dog and visiting children safe

‘Many kids’ are NOT killed by dogs every year. Look up the stats. It is such a rare event that it makes the headlines.

NOW many children are killed and injured on our roads every year. I think people should not allow their children out of the house and certainly not allow them to travel in cars.

Keep cars and children away from each other. Plus there’s nasty things coming out of cars’ back ends.

Luckygirl you really hate dogs don’t you and have done since you were a child.

This is a discussion that should have happened and strategies put in place before baby was born especially given that you know your dog is excitable around visitors.
I am a dog person and a granny, my DGS is 14, and the bond between him and my JRT is lovely and has enriched both their lives. However it wasn't allowed to just happen. I'm glad that you're engaging a trainer/behaviourist to work with you to help you to resolve your immediate issue and to help you adopt strategies that will help you to create a safe environment for you GS as he grows and develops.

The baby is only five months old is he crawling around ? or totally staying where the adults put him for instance in a baby chair etc my question is how does the dog actually get to him if he’s in one place?
You say your dog is very well behaved except for this over excited attitude to visitors an excitable dog can be a well intentioned but dangerous nuisance.
I think you are wise to get it trained but I still think you are unwise to have a jumpy licking excitable dog in the same room as a small defenceless baby even with adults present and obviously two other members of the quartet of family members think so too
Have you read hettys link, they were all friendly non aggressive family dogs
You adore your dog and cannot see the wood for the trees if the little once was living with you then yes get the trainer in but a tiny baby visiting , no need just keep them apart for the duration of the visit
No dog how ever much loved is worth taking the chance over

again you say advice on handling this....yes Dog is to be kept away until baby is much older.
Or dog put in crate.

dog not gog

scentia

you wrote "Surely it is best to get the rules sorted now before he is of an age to be learning how to behave around her"

The he is your GS and the her is your dog.
I think that sounds exactly like what I referred to. Because there is a strong inference that you want something sorted out now.

If not then you are not being clear enough.
I did say I didn't understand but hey just attack me back as "judgy" in time honoured gransnet style.

Go and get advice yes but I have only said keep them apart for now. What on earth is wrong with that?

I think that most people here are worried that you say you don't let the dog lick the baby but that the gog wants to lick the baby.
I would have the dog out of the room immediately It doesn't matter if it is the dog's home. Are you not the dog's boss?

Exactly how do you intend to stop the dog when it is trying to lick the baby if it suddenly opens its strong jaws and clamps them round baby's face? Are you superhuman?

Ah - but no doubt it is just being friendly and wouldn't harm a fly.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37131107

Exactly, Quercus! There is always a risk, however small. I've always had dogs and they are on the other side of a baby gate when babies and small children visit.

Given a chance, my dog would try to lick a baby's ears. But just think about what else they lick!

Children need to be taught how to interact with dogs e.g. no grabbing or staring, no touching an eating or sleeping dog and no rushing towards it. Dogs also need training, but with familiar older children only - and very well supervised at all times. Many kids are killed and injured by dogs every year.

Keep dog and baby separate - always. Shut dog in another room when DC visits. It is not worth the risk. Staffies are strong dogs with strong jaws.

Oh I am not offended at all, I am well aware I need training. My dog is very well behaved but for this over excited attitude I have allowed when we have guests. Never bothered me until my little grandson arrived now I am realising that it needs sorting. An adult visitor can choose to come in or not and if my dog gets on their nerves they can just leave, my little grandson doesn’t have a choice at the moment so I need to be on top of it.

Thanks Anja, simplybaccurately and kindly put. I was using the terms behaviourist in response to the OP but trainer and it sounds like training needed her. This sounds a typical giddy friendly staff who is over enthusiastic with visitors, so she needs basic training which includes handler training as first stop, no offence OP hope none taken. I never needed input from a trainer in over forty adult years. A working lab x standard poodle joined us at six months, three owners and back with the breeder, she’s 11 now and a brilliant dog but boy, did she teach me a lot

Behaviourist are for dogs with issues like aggression. Trainers are for everyday issues. Keeping the baby and the dog apart is not necessary they need to build a relationship. Always being present when dog and baby are in the sane room is clearly essential.

The dog is showing signs of affection not aggression. But licking a baby is not acceptable IMO. I have childminded 5 grandchildren alongside two dogs. Both dog and chil needs to be taught about boundaries.

In the here and now, distract your dog by calling it away from the baby and rewarding with treats. It is always wise to reinforce basic training in any case.

AFter reading about the poor lady killed by two dogs yesterday i would be even more wary of any dog and a small defenseless child. You need to sort this now, for once the child is crawling and walking it may become an even greater problem. Good luck.

A woman has been killed by her own dogs. It's disgusting.

I keep promising myself not to reply to any more posts.
Thank you Nfk for you advice.

Crystal tips, I know for a fact that a muzzle will not stop licking, they can still eat and drink through a muzzle, unless you use an old fashioned one which are cruel. Muzzles will only stop biting.

Put muzzle on dog. It then won’t lick the baby. You wanted advice on how to stop dog licking baby there’s one. Maybe listen to the child’s parents. The child's welfare comes before that of the dog. You obviously don’t want to hear advice.

It sounds to me that you're doing fine Scentia as you're aware of the problem. Walking the dog before the child arrives so she's tired and less likely to stay excited, giving her a chew in her her bed to distract her and always having someone in the room with them to tell the dog "No" and "bed" whenever she goes near the child's face has been advised I think and it sounds like you're already doing most of that. Staffies can be stubborn and think they know best so it is going to take a lot of time and a lot of persistence on your and your families part. If she gets sent to her bed every time she goes to lick she will eventually get the message!

If you don’t think it is appropriate for a dog and baby to meet why on earth are you posting your views on a question asking how they should do it
Simply because everyone is allowed an opinion on your query and pinkquartz is simply saying the question of ‘how’ wouldn’t arise if you didn’t insist the baby and the dog need to be together, and I agree with her, there is NO need at this stage for a small baby to have a staffie around it The same reason I imagine your husband and the baby’s father pull the dog away
You are very set on this so I really don’t thunk there was any reason to ask on this forum You are asking a question then stubbornly sticking to your original idea obviously against half of your family
Just seen the news that a young woman has been killed in her home by her two pet dogs Is it worth it ?

pinkquartz
You may have read it twice, but you are still missing one vital point.
I NEVER asked if I thought they should meet
I asked for tips to stop her trying to lick him.
That is simple, very very simple for anyone to understand surely. I am still surprised at how many people turn threads around to be what they want it to be, so they can spout their judgy pants views at a poster.

If you don’t think it is appropriate for a dog and baby to meet, why on earth are you posting your views to a question on how they should do it.