dog vs babies
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| I love the name Montana. Welcome to the forum.
I don't have any advice, as we are facing a similar problem with our Bichon and my kids are older. Our OES has always been great with all babies, kids etc...so this is also new for me to have a dog react this way to our own children. I too make them feed the dog, and give the treats, and for the most part we are all getting along. |
Might i suggest that you all check out Jan Fennell' books. We have used her methods with our dog and we too have children. Our dog guiness is probably one of the best dogs we could have hoped for with kids and by using jan's methods, our family has grown stronger and tigher and "agression" free.. well bar the cat and hes abit strange anyways 
The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell |
| Hi,
Sometimes you have to view things from a dogs point of view. You say your daughter just learned how to crawl and walk and perhaps she is now able to look your dog in the eye. In dog language this is seen as a challenge as dogs don't look into anothers dogs/peoples eyes unless they are prepared to fight. Owners will claim they can look at their dog in the eye but the difference is you don't put your face up close at stare as a child may unintentionally do. Sorta hard to explain but just imagine two boxers (people in the ring) about to square off and each has their game face on trying to outstare the other. Compared to say you looking at a friend while speaking. People often look at their dogs eyes but not in the in your face kinda look. It's the reason most children are attacked by dogs which to observers seems unprovoked but the child was sending off unintentional signals to the dog whom viewed it as a challenge in their doggie world. Remember your child and Montana may be aprox the same height in some situations like both on the floor or standing. I used to do all the Educational Pet Talks in my area for schools, community centers, ect on behalf of the Humane Education Society to prevent kids from being bitten by a dog. Children unfortunately love holding a dogs face with both hands and looking at them in the eyes..both are seen as a challenge to the dog. Another thing is your childs emerging mobility and your dog may possibly view it as an obstacle to it's heiracy in the house. All dogs/people have status in the pack and the dog may have viewed your child as being submissive to him and is trying to keep the child below him. Or your child may have previously pulled his hair or done something which you may have missed and Montana is now a bit wary of close contact. A growl is the dogs way of communication over displeasure of some sort so that shows your dog is socialized as an aggressive dog may attack without warning.Sounds as if, allowing to feed Montana you are doing the right thing. Until you have it straightened out don't leave the child or Montana unsupervised in the same room. I'd also suggest you read some books like that of Jan Fennel or others and would also recommend you take an obedience class with Montana. I know it's hard with a small child in the house but it's worth it as you'll have years of benefit as a result. If that's not possible stay on this forum and ask any questions you may have as we're all here to help. Becoming familiar with doggie body language will allow you to prevent any situation from escalating as you can stop it immediately. Good Luck and let us know how it goes. I love the name Montana too..good choice! Marianne and the boys |
| Thanks for all your advice. I will look for that book by Jane Fennel, I will do anything to to fix this. I also think that Montana is a little jealous of the kids beacuse before them he was number 1 now he has to share me. He's great with other kids my nephew is the same age as my daughter and he will let him walk all over him... this is very frustrating, i hope it ends soon.[/img] |
| My first OES had hip dysplasia. She was in a lot of pain the winter that my son started to crawl. He invariably crawled towards her to cuddle. She was fine if he crawled towards her head but if he looked like he might touch her hips, she grumbled (I can't call it a growl, because there was no mistaking her growl for anything else ... it was sort of like swearing in OES, I always thought). Anyway, I've always believed, in her case, it was health related and not behavioural at all. I just watched the two of them like a hawk or seperated them when he was on the floor. |
| Oh yes the OES swearing! you got to love it, they do it so well. I don't leave to two alone, i don't think Montana would ever do anything to hurt anyone but im not taking any chances. Hes usually right on my heels where ever i go anyways! |
| Along the same lines, I have a question maybe someone can help with... We have a 2 yr old OES, and two children, a boy 9, and a girl 6. The puppy was a present for my son's birthday when he turned 7. The dog has always been loving and gentle, but he has attacked my son 3 times now, the most recent being tonight. Each time, my son has just gone to tell the dog goodnight, and the dog has growled and viciously bitten my son on the arm. Last summer, he required stitches. Tonight, luckily he did not. This is the first time I have actually witnessed the attack, and the other times I felt my son must have been somewhat responsible (such as surprising or startling the dog) but what I witnessed tonight was that my son just pet him on the head, said "goodnight" and when he was walking past, the dog jumped at him, growling and snapping, grabbed onto his arm and bit him in two places before I could stop it. It was completely unprovoked. My son is the only person this has happened to, and it has always been while telling the dog goodnight... no other time. We are very attached to the dog, and love him dearly, but we are concerned that we may have to get rid of him if we can't solve this problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. |
| I would suggest first and foremost that you keep your dog away from your son at bedtime!
Perhaps you should look into the "Nothing in life is free" (NILF) approach, and perhaps your son and daughters ought to be feeding the dog kibble piece by piece after requiring your dog to earn it. The humans go through the door first, the humans eat first, and no dog gets any food without earning it somehow. Take a look around the site. The other part that I MUST ask you is if you ever decide that you can't keep your dog, PLEASE contact us here again, or go through an OES RESCUE program to re-home your dog. They have experienced people who have experience with dogs that have been aggressive in the past, and they will be able to give your dog that absolute best chance at living a long and happy life elsewhere. We will help you here in many ways, including helping you to make the right contacts if it comes to that. In the meantime, I hope you'll find some good info around here, and I hope others will chime in as well. Good luck. |
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