Dog and baby

AnnieHernandez

It looks like you have asked the question and not returned to the post since?

Do they/you already have a dog or are you talking about getting a puppy when the child is still a baby?

It makes a difference to the answer!

My daughter had a baby when my dear old dog was 8. Then another baby shortly after! So I helped out a lot and my dog came too when I went to their home to stay for weeks at a time .
My dog adored both children. Guarded the pram which was hilarious as she was a tiny dog and played with them when they were toddlers. The first thing she did every morning was run in to see them.
A real nanny dog. Little mongrel called Lucy locket fits in your pocket ! How I miss her ?

DD and DSiL had a Jack Russell before they had DGC and the dog is fine with the children. Having said that she was very well trained before DGC arrived and has never once been a problem. As others have said, it depends on the dog and you should never leave a baby or small child alone with any dog.

It is best to have the baby first as dogs can be jealous of a new baby whatever the breed but having a dog after your family is complete is a lovely combination. I was 13 when we got a dog and he became my best friend. You should NEVER leave a pet in alone with a baby as they can injure the baby unintentionally. Cats like comfort and could lie on the cot for warmth which could smother the baby and a boisterous puppy could hurt a toddler if left alone with it.

Our JR never bit or attempted to bite anyone in his long life. He accidentally caught my grandson's finger while they were playing with a toy. For a while after that our JR hid himself in the corner when my grandson came into the room.

Goodness.

In defence of small dogs, we have a little Jack Russel Poodle cross, no bigger than a cat. He never showed much interest in our GS when he was a baby, but of course we never left him alone with the baby, we never left the baby alone.... As the GS grew older the relationship has been just fine. As a toddler he never tried to tease the dog in any way , just enjoyed 'throwing' sticks and balls (all of 6 inches) for him and lots of petting and cuddling on the dog's terms (i.e when the dog came to him).

Of all the thousands of dogs in families with small children how many incidents are there of dogs attacking children?

I am puzzled by the OP, though. The context of the post isn't at all clear.

#NAPPY!

Moggycuddler

If the dog is already a member of the household and well behaved, then be careful and never, ever, leave the baby and dog alone together, not even for a minute. Even small dogs can do a lot of damage to a baby. If there's not already a dog, then I'd recommend waiting till baby is three or four before getting one.

So true. Dogs recognise mostly by scent, and a baby doesn't smell like a human! The only time EVER my Jack Russel went upstairs was whenI took my 3week old DGS upstairs for a happy change.dog was SO curious he threw the "no upstairs" rule of 9 years straight out of the window! I asked him what was he doing upstairs, he panicked and quickly tried to runback down but struggled cos he'd never been up before ! Hilarious but oh so revealing of dog behaviour.

Ooh I dunno?! One puppy of mine did- waiting in queue at post office he suddenly turned round about 6 times then did the biggest....well you get the picture!]? Most people were full of sympathy...I wasn't one of them!?

So long as you have the time patience and determination to train your dog and your children properly. A dog MUST know that they are the lowest rank in your 'pack' and that baby and all his/her things/room/toys/ are completely out of bounds ! Once a dog knows its place , it's ecstatic and a joy to have. It's not human , it's a dog. It has to fit in with you lot, not the other way round.
viel Glück!

FlowerNanny, I agree that it's best to have plenty of time for training and attention - without a baby to care for too.

The little JRT I have now is very lively and enthusiastic for walkies - so inclined to pull a bit when I walk her.

However, if I let my small grandchildren hold the lead - she immediately changes - and carefully walks to heel and waits if they stop. She wasn't trained to do it!

I got a ,jack russell cross puppy 10 weeks before my first child was born and all was a huge success. I went on to have 2 more children and all loved the dog who lived to 16 yrs. I love dogs and have had 3 more dogs since we lost the first one.
During the time before my daughter was born I had time to train the puppy and give her lots of attention. I always took her for a daily walk with the pram/pushchair/children and the babies and children were taught to respect the dog. I did not leave dog and baby alone together.
Animals need attention and I would not get a new dog or cat if I had a child under 3 as there is insufficient time for this.

Should be pram pressed post message by mistake.

Talking of cats, I use to put a cat net on the Pham when I put my children outside in the Pham to sleep, anyone else remember them

I waited until my children were 9 and 11 and then took on Springer. He became a loyal dog who went everywhere when the children were out playing and I had no fear of him being alone with them but they were older, we lived in the countryside and the dog thought he was in the kids gang.

Ibelfry it depends on a number of factors, the breed/size of cat/dog, whether the baby or pet is first to arrive, how well they're (child and pet) trained, etc.
We had 2 German Shepherds before my first son was born and I trusted them implicitly, in fact it was one of them that basically told me I was pregnant (her behaviour changed towards me - more gentle and considerate). They would guard him when he was asleep in his pram in the lounge and I was at the other end of the house in the kitchen. If he awoke and started crying they would take it in turns to come and get my attention.
When my second son was born, we had 2 cats. Knowing that some cats can be a bit spiteful I made sure to keep a close eye on them. The male cat was fantastic with the baby, even sleeping in the cot (at the other end from my son) but the female cat couldn't be allowed anywhere near him because even when I was feeding him, she would sidle up to us and try to nibble his fingers and toes. We rehome her with my BiL whose children were older.
I believe that both of my sons and all our pets benefited from being raised together, as they grow they become firm friends.

Dogs are a wonderful addition to a family and my children grew up with them from day one. All of the dogs l had knew their place when baby came along and they were protective and gentle with my babies. I treated my dogs as a dog, part of my family but knowing their place. It made for a content loving animal, well trained,respected dog and children growing up understanding dogs and confident with many other pets. My daughter has 4 children 5 and under with a dog and 3 cats. All are loved and respected.
My son has a huge mastiff and as children my kid’s were used to big dogs. Rottweiler, Mastiffs, German Shepard. The most intelligent, sensitive and trainable dogs.
The thing is, you have to really be a dog person to feel safe having babies and dogs together.
You have to be confident in your choice of breed and training to trust your dogs with your children.
I only had a problem once with my new rescue dog and it was quickly trained.
I believe that bigger breeds are the more intelligent, less spoiled and more easily trained dogs and very protective of small children.
The bottom line is that
“if you put the time in to training your dog, the better he will be for it “

My 18month old Dalmatian sits patiently the other side of my baby gate when I am looking after my 2 granddaughters who are both 1. I give him plenty of attention when they have their naps. I think they will be great pals when they are all older but for now I prefer them separated.

We adopted MIL's neurotic, untrained border terrier (female), a bag of nerves, nightmare to take for a walk, wouldn't walk if anyone was behind us, went for other dogs, risky with visitors until she got to know them (we had to watch people's ankles). So when GD1 was born and spent a lot of time with us we were concerned about safety when GD1 got mobile. But we needn't have worried - it was amazing! The dog was devoted to DG1. She sat next to her on the floor, GD1 could climb into the dog basket, move her food bowl, corner her with the baby walker, the dog seemed to adore her. Never growled or showed any animosity. It was delightful, the dog turned out to be totally maternal.

I wouldn’t

Agreed. Children and dogs like to know who is in charge and to have confidence that they are valued, safe and cared for. Apologies for my mobile's choice of it's instead of its ?

We had our wonderful yellow lab 4 years before our son came along.He thought the baby was his He sat beside the pram as long as the baby was in it.He was .yang on the f.oor Rebel came and lay round him so baby's head was on his tummy.He was gentlest of dogs never barked or made any sort of fuss.We knew he would be good with children when we heard he crying in the garden and next doors children had his head through the fence and were pulling an ear each in opposite directions, they let go as soon as we appeared and Reb went straight back to them wagging his tail and locking their faces!

I agree.
A dog has to know its place; apparently it is quite stressful for them if they don't, and is more likely to lead them into bad ways.
Not that I've ever had a dog, mind you.

Miss Adventure, referring to 'patience of a saint' regarding our Lab and children, as his owner we knew exactly how he would behave and he knew we were always looking after him as well as our children. Maybe I should have used a different description but he was patient in that he happily let them play with him and he enjoyed the fuss and attention from them. Labs come into the category of dogs (usually) ideal for children; they enjoy being part of a bundle, don't suddenly turn, aren't hyperactive and are generous and loyal to their family members... Presumably one not properly trained who misunderstood it's place in the hierarchy, might be different.

Love the way Chardy worded the post, rats and vermin… in the same breath!! ??