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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Jennifer Shryock is a certified dog behavior consultant, who specializes in helping families keep things safe and fun between children and the family dog/s. She has a duo bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Kutztown University. She combined her passion for working with families, children and dogs into a career in dog behavior, and founded Family Paws in 2002. She developed Dogs & Storks™, an original and complete program for new and expecting parents (and grandparents) who have a family dog.
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10/11/2005
We have a 6 year old German shepherd mix we rescued 5 years ago. He is smart and obedient. However, he has always been somewhat distrustful of strange men and most children. We walk every day and he's been in doggy-day-care where he does beautifully with the other dogs. He's loved the kids next door from the first day we brought him home, but has growled at others in the neighborhood and we're not sure why. We have recently become grandparents. What can we do to socialize him with the baby to make sure he's safe? (okayigiveup, Kansas)
Hello there and Congratulations on becoming a Grandparent. I am very passionate about this topic and hopefully can help to send you in the right direction.
The first is to really get to know your dog and what he is really indicating with subtle body language and posture. www.doggonesafe.com has a great video and resources on Dog body language and communication. Dogs indicate stress and potential conflict through posture and subtle cues: licking lips, turning away, curving torso away, half moon eyes, yawning and many other ways. Learning about these and how your dog uses them in a variety of situations helps you to know when and if your dog is reacting in a stressful way. Turid Rugaas has a great book called "On talking terms with dogs." Once you recognize your dogs subtle cues you can then redirect him to something else to do such as getting a toy, going to his bed or just to sit. This is where obedience is handy.
The next most important and helpful suggestion is to review and firm up obedience. The more commands your dog truly knows, the more comfort he will have when asked to perform them. Knowing what to do can prevent uncertainty in your dog. Giving him a command takes his mind away from concern. I encourage you to practice your obedience without distraction and then add distractions only once he is consistently performing the expected behavior with the command.
Most importantly is SUPERVISION!!!!!!! At all times! This means even when baby is in a crib or swing. If you must leave the room then take the dog with you. Have a plan and be creative about options for your dog while baby is visiting. Management is a great idea especiall
y once baby becomes mobile.
Your dog has some reactive behavior from what you mentioned. It will be very important for him to have a safe place that is off limits from the baby. Practice this safe comfort spot each day with a yummy treat or activity. Do this well before you need it or your Grandbaby is motoring. Gates are helpful but if the noises on the other side are stressful then a closed door may be best to prevent negative association with the child due to scary noises.
Some ideas for management:
gates, crates, outside time
separate room, Tethering (leashing dog in the house) Be creative and practice well before you need to implement this. Make it part of your normal routine so it is natural.
As for creating a positive situation from the beginning between your dog and baby:
- Be sure to discuss concerns and how you and the parents want to handle the interaction. Knowing Mom's comfort or lack of comfort level can really make or break a situation such as this.
- Keep him on a leash at first so that you are fully in touch with him to offer guidance, observation and rewards when in the presence of the baby. Do short visits and then let him have doggie down time in a quiet place with a treat.
- Encourage structured and supervised activities that include the baby and fun things. Mom and baby go hide and you and your dog find them and he is rewarded with treats...etc. Hide and seek is a fun game and many dogs associate their grandkids with this game for years if it is consistent! Once baby is old enough he can hold a wooden spoon with peanut butter on the end to lick off etc.
- Create positive experiences when baby is around. If things are hectic and chaotic then this may be a good time for your dog to have another spot.
Most of all OBSERVE, SUPERVISE and have fun! Keep in mind that at all stages in child development there will be changes to the interaction and expectations. Often dogs that needed more management in the beginning settle in really well as baby grows due to the fact that their comfort level was respected and protected.
I hope this is helpful.
Our Dogs & Storks CD might be of interest www.familypaws.com
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