Dog & new baby

[lil_nance]

Our dog is 5yr old. She's a rescue. We got her 2yr ago. We just had a baby. The dog is starting to show jealousy issues now that our son is 3mo. and more active. She has peed in our living room. She also runs to the baby if he makes "too much" noise or is very active. I'm concerned that she is worried that he's taking over her territory. She hasn't snapped at him or anything but I don't wan t it to get that far. We make sure to give her attention both when the baby is around and when he's in bed. How can I let her know that she's still our baby too but our son is here to stay? I should mention that she has been fine with older toddlers. She doesn't have a problem with the neighbor's kids who are 2 and 5.

[katmg]

I haven't been in this situation but I have thought about since we're TTC and we have a dog.

For me, the biggest concern is that our dog not think that he's in charge of the baby. The dog has to feel like, even though the baby is tiny, that he/she "ranks higher" within the pack. The dog should never be allowed to display dominant behavior over the baby. I can't really tell if that's a problem from what you've posted or if the dog has even had any dominance issues in the past. (Ours does have dominance issues, which is why this is a concern for me.)

Your post sounds more like the dog is just nervous about the baby. The baby is new and she doesn't know what to expect from him.

I don't have any great advice to offer - hopefully someone else will know what to do with a nervous ? dog. I'll be following along!

[EJM]

It sounds like your dog thinks she is above the baby in the pack, judging by the fact she runs over to the baby if he is crying. That signals to me that she is aware a lower pack member is upset and she is trying to smooth things over. I would take special care when you do give her attention that it is after the baby, so she gets the idea that she is the lowest pack member. I'm sure she is just confused at this point as to who is who in the pecking order. Do you have a trainer available that is familiar with pet/child adaptation?

I'm sure things will work themselves out, especially since she is fine with the neighbors. She's not had to share the house before, and needs helps adjusting to that. :)

[jnettie]

There was a suggestion in another thread about putting things with the baby's scent in spaces the dog uses. I don't know if this applies here....

I remember when I was little, our dog took a protective roll with me. He followed me closely when we'd go for walks, and growl at people he thought were hurting me. Same thing with my SIL. They had a rescue Doberman when she was born and the dog was taught to view her as someone to protect. SIL apparently used to pull on her ears (unclipped) and Sheba barely whimpered...and for a typically agressive breed was never ever agressive with the baby.

I do think that you have to work with your dog's personality to teach him to view the baby as one of his people and someone to protect, not as competition.

[greenbunny]

One other possibility is that a baby's quick, jerky movements look to the dog like prey behavior. I can't tell if that's the case just from your post, I would talk to the vet about that. If that's the case there isn't a whole lot you can do to directly affect that connection in the dog's brain, but teaching the dog that your son is higher in the pack will probably help with that as well.

That said, peeing is a classic dominance signal. It's most likely your dog is just trying to assert dominance, as others have said.

[lil_nance]

Thanks for all your feedback.
Hmmm.... One other possibility is that a baby's quick, jerky movements look to the dog like prey behavior I hadn't thought about this but definately something to consider and be aware of. I'm sure most of her issues relate to the pecking order confusion. She also has some food agression that may play into things. My problem is while I may have an idea of what the problem is, I'm not sure how to curb the behavior. Any suggestions? Also, she gets very submissive (peeing) if corrected.

[katmg]

I've recommended this book so many times, but I really found it helpful in understanding my dog's behavior. It really helped us with our dominance issues. Leader of the Pack by Nancy Baer and Steve Duno http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0061010197.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.gif