My dog and my new grandson

There’s a piece in today’s news about an American pit bull. He died from snake bites after protecting the children x

My dogs were all taught not to lick anyone as I don't like it, under any circumstances. Whenever my grandchildren were around they were put on their beds, whenever the grandchildren were eating the dogs were put into another room.
So many of you posters don't seem to have read Scentia's post correctly and seem hell bent on panicking that the dog is going to eat the baby.
Responsible adults behave responsibly and that, in this case is to follow the very good advice already given by Tedber and NannaandGrampy who both seem to be way less reactionary than those of you who give the impression that you don't have or don't like dogs in general.

We had similar problem. We kept the dog on a static lead when the children were babies. So he was always around them but could not lick them. Once they had grown out of the baby stage he was allowed off the lead but never left alone with them. He now has a healthy relationship with the children and never attempts to lick them.

I saw a small child being bitten by a dog, who according to its owner "wouldn't hurt a fly". She still carries the scars to this day.

I guess it’s a choice we all have to make, weighing the risk against the pleasure. Sending my sons off in their kayaks and later their cars knowing an accident could happen but that life lived to the full is risky!

Letting my MIL hoist my toddlers onto 17 hand hunters?

But I still think it’s not the OPs decision. And I still definitely think she needs to get control of her dog before she lets her near the baby! Her dog is not doing as she’s told!

There is also evidence that children who grow up around Dogs have less allergies and less health problems
I’d add to that, that in homes where Dogs and children are well cared for, the children are more responsible.

Introduce ponies or horses into this discussion and I’d definitely say children learn responsibility. They’re also going to have a lot of fun but they will be lucky not to end up in A and E at some point, having fallen off, been kicked or bitten. Horses and ponies often go hand in hand with dogs but they’re even more risky ?

Tedbear, great post!
My father bred German Shepherds so from a baby, I and other children in the family were continually around dog's.
My son was also around dog's from birth...I have always had Rottweiler's
Isn't it simply a case of being sensible?
My dog's were/are well trained and never left alone with anyone.
Introductions with children are done slowly and carefully.
When my son was a baby...I allowed the dog I had at the time to be close in stages but again, the dog was kept under close control...he wasn't allowed to lick the baby however, although to be honest he wasn't that interested!
People are entitled to their opinion, mine is that dog's/all animals are wonderful and it's a fantastic thing for children to have appropriate relationships with them.
"Dangerous"? Some dog's sadly are but in the main, I don't think so.

I really do not think it is about who hates/loves dogs. As I have said before there are many dog lovers who have stringent rules about keeping children safe in the presence of their dogs.

If your dog is close enough to be trying to lick the baby, then it is too close.; and their safety is compromised.

Take the advice of the dog lovers on this thread - there is plenty of it.

Tedber
Thankyou very much for your post, I was beginning to think I was a ‘child of the devil’ !!

This thread is turning more into a who hates/likes dogs which isn’t helping the OP one bit. Little Annie, your comments are out of order. About loving dangerous dirty dog or whatever nonsense you said!

Thousands of people bring babies into homes with dogs without any trouble whatsoever including me and my daughters! I had two, a German Shep and a Collie. Both adored my subsequent babies. My daughter has now got 2 dogs and 3 young children.

We do love our dogs!

There are very very few instances of dogs attacking! Let’s get it in proportion.

The only thing I would not let a dog do is lick a baby. And in very small babies, not leave them alone but this is common sense which the OP has! You are speaking like she has to choose who she loves most! No she doesn’t!!!

Babies, children have grown up with dogs for centuries. In fact my parents German Shep used to sleep under my cot! Now not suggesting this is acceptable but neither is the hysteria displayed here!

Don’t worry OP you will all enjoy a great life together.

I love dogs but any dog is potentially dangerous, even with the best training. Why on Earth would you consider taking even the tiniest risk with a baby? Answer me that!

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/28/hospital-admissions-for-injuries-caused-by-dogs-up-76-over-past-10-years

Here we go again----Dogs before Children!!!

Well, that's what makes news.

They're not going to report that today, Rover licked his bum, buried a bone, had a game of fetch, then climbed into his basket and went to sleep.

Tell that to the family of the poor woman who was killed this week by the family pets.

Littleannie - you go on standing by your view that you know more than those of us who have bred, trained and shared our lives with dogs.

NanaandGrampy, goodness knows what Muslims have to do with it.
I repeat, any dog that is startled or scared has the potential to attack. A baby suddenly crying or kicking its leg out could trigger this, if the dog is nearby.
I stand by what I said.

At the moment you don’t have control of your dog.

A long way back summerlove suggested talking to the parents about this.

Ultimately OP it won’t be your decision whether you keep the baby and dog together or keep them apart.

If the parents feel their child is at risk they’ll just keep him away. Any sensible parent would.

If you’re so adamant about having your own way you may lose your grandchild.

It makes sense to have an arsenal of tactics to hand in order to keep the baby safe.

Segregation, yes obviously, but also behavioural training to deal with the dogs over excitement and keep it calm.

Locking it away won't do that, I would think a more measured approach would be better.

But all dogs are unpredictable. The link above about dog attacks makes it clear that these are jolly and trusted family pets - but they bit.

I AM telling you that not all dogs are dangerous Littleannie -if they were ALL dangerous there wouldn’t be 8.9 million dogs in the U.K.

What I am saying is dogs CAN be dangerous if in the wrong hands, if they are a breed given to that behaviour, if they are badly trained or untrained. I’m sorry you were attacked but in the same way that you cannot say ‘all Muslims are terrorists’ because some are , you can’t say ‘all dogs are dangerous’.

It’s a sweeping and untrue statement.

NanaandGrampy. All dogs are dangerous if something upsets or scares them.
1024 dog bites.? That is 1024 too many. A woman has been killed by her 2 family pets this week.
I was attacked by a dog as a young child. It was an entirely unprovoked attack, and I bear the scars to this day, 68 years later, so don't try telling me they are not dangerous.

The dog would feel rejected? Words fail me. - indeed so.

My liking or not liking dogs is not relevant to anything - there are plenty of dog lovers on here who are saying the same - keep them apart when they visit.

In the meantime, I await the answer to my question: 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?

How do you know her dog is dangerous Littleannie a sweeping statement don’t you think?

Millions of dogs world wide coexist with humans perfectly safely without danger to anyone.

There were 1024 dog bites or strikes in children aged under 9 in 2018 . There was an estimated 8.9 million dogs .

Well said luckygirl. She obviously thinks more of her dirty, dangerous dog than she does of her precious grandson.
CraftyGranny. The dog would feel rejected? Words fail me.