My dog and my new grandson

Scentia, I actually have read the full thread, thank you, but perhaps you aren’t as clear as you think.
I’m glad you’ve sorted a behavouralist, But I maintain that the child and dog are not required to learn to work with each other. There are ways around it. Also, Your grandchild is very new, and it’s obvious even your husband and son-in-law have issues with this set up that you currently have. The baby does not need to learn how to deal with the dog at this point in time.

Summerlove

I know there is no need to deal with the dog at this time, but surely I can’t be more clear on my views as I wrote yesterday. See below.

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

I think Scentia you’re doing the right thing in being proactive . The baby doesn’t need to learn to interact with the dog right now but of course it will have to. Visiting or living with you , makes no difference.

You don’t want to wait for the child to become fearful. There’s no reason with proper supervision they can’t be introduced .

Sadly , your thoughtful post has attracted the responses of those that think dogs and children should be kept separately . I disagree with them wholeheartedly .

scentia you have your yes very clear views and have no intention to change from them, you are convinced the dog and tiny baby need to meet The father and your husband obviously don’t think that and it doesn’t matter if every post on here says they, don’t you are not going to change your mind, so I have no understanding why you asked on here because you are very closed to a different point of view

Dogs and babies don’t mix even if you are in the same room it can take just a second for something to happen why on earth risk it at this tender age listen to the men in your family

No nannagramps dogs and children don’t have to be kept apart Dogs and tiny babies do

"But what if she has never really met him properly?" - what the heck does that mean? The dog does not have to meet him at all. Poor baby has no choice - it is you who wants to make them meet. The child's own father is pulling the dog away.

Again I come back to: my dog is not allowed to hurt my grandson - my point is that you cannot stop that happening unless the two are apart. Your confidence that you are able to do that is quite frightening, and entirely misguided.

Children and babies are unpredictable and terrible things happen. Please put this baby first. The whole premise behind all you are saying is so very wrong. It implies that you are able to predict what your dog will or will not do - you can't. It is the work of a fleeting moment for a child to be maimed; and it is simply not worth the risk.

I wish you luck scentia.

BlueBelle
But my question wasn’t “do you think my dog and grandson need to meet”
My question was do you have any tips to stop my dog getting so excited and trying to get too close and lick my grandson.

I am so shocked at the level of lack of understanding on this thread and unwillingness to read my posts correctly.

I will trust only the professional who will be visiting us in the middle of October when my grandson is next here.
I must say, the behaviourist I spoke to earlier, NEVER suggested I keep them apart he said how important it was to do this properly, which I think is what I have been trying to say all along.

I appreciate some people don’t like the thought of dogs and children/babies mixing but I know just what a difference a dog can make to a child’s life if they have a responsible and safe relationship.

*But my question wasn’t “do you think my dog and grandson need to meet”
My question was do you have any tips to stop my dog getting so excited and trying to get too close and lick my grandson.*

I think you ve been given lots of tips, mainly put your dog behind a stair gate when your baby is there and listen to your husband and your son in law I m glad you’re seeing a professional although I believe some are better than others I always though Caesar Malone (is that his name) was some guru but read recently that there are question marks over him acting cruelly with some dogs and doubts about his knowledge anyway back on track I ve no idea why you asked unprofessional grannies their view when you have such strong views yourself
Listen to the pro
Good luck

I think you mean Cesar Milan Bluebelle, he advocates a dominance method of training which is not necessarily the best way forward. But not all behaviourists use that method at all .

Is the dog excited or is she anxious? Excessive licking can be a sign of stress. I wouldn’t take the risk.

I have read the thread twice and I still do not see why the dog needs to meet the baby YET.

Keep them apart until the baby is older.

Meet your Pro trainer and also keep reading up on the subject but I can't see the urgency.

I think it would be better to wait for at least until the baby is over a year old. It is too risky.
I don't agree that bad habits will be formed if they don't meet before . Why? That doesn't make any sense.

When my youngest GD was a baby we went to visit a friend who has the most adorable gentle King Charles Cavalier.
Unhappily the dog began to growl in a very threatening manner.
My friend removed the dog. She could only think that it was because her dog had never met a baby before.

The other GD;s with me were age 2 and 5 and the dog was fine with them.
Give time for this matter and don't rush

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.

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 ?

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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