My dog hates my baby, help!

United States
January 19, 2010 10:36am CST
We adopted a dachsund while I was pregnant, and he seemed so sweet at the time. After bringing him home we soon found that he loves myself and his daddy, but he dislikes most other people. After the baby came of course he became jealous, and he will have nothing to do with her. When she kicks her feet in the air and he is near he tries to nip at them, and tries to get between us most of the time. He is also very aggressive with other people, and has bitten a few neighbors. Any suggestions from the experts?
5 people like this
27 responses
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
19 Jan 10
Hi jhess, I'm no expert but I am a mother. If my dog acted like yours toward my baby then I would start looking for a new home for the dog. Where you say he has been aggressive towards other people and even bitten a few neighbors then I would be very nervous having him around the baby at all. I'm really surprised that none of the neighbors has complained about this. If a dog bites too much then often times they will take the dog from the owner.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jan 10
I would think that more people would feel strongly too, but my dog doesent really bite hard, he just nips to make his point. Even though its a nip, it is still very scary to me, and Im worried about the behavior itself, not the hardness of the bite. Thanks for your response, and I agree, my baby comes first.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Jan 10
Well, it is good that he only nips. If he isn't breaking the skin then that would probably be why no one has really complained too loudly. Still, you are right to be very concerned about your baby. Dogs are usually protective of a baby in the family. This one is not. babies tend to grab and pull and I'd be concerned that he might get more agressive if the baby were to grab hold of him or something.
1 person likes this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
19 Jan 10
Well you had a problem from the get go. You shouldn't have gotten a new dog while you were pregnant. A new baby throws even the most stable family out of whack, one still adjusting to a new pet member more so. Your dog feels that you aren't assertive enough to be the pack leaders , so he's taking over that role. That's a big problem, especially when there's a young child involved. The dog could try to keep it in it's place in the pack & discipline him/her. With a baby/toddler that's very dangerous. You & the dog could be trained ( yes, I said YOU ) but that will take a good bit of time. Which is something you don't have. Much as I hate to say it but for the safety of your child you should try to find the dog a new home.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jan 10
Thanks for the honesty, to all of you really. I really have tried to take back the dominant role, not letting my dog walk up stairs in front of me, and not letting the dog beg for attention and petting, I guess we are just not good at being extremly dominant pet owners, even though its needed. THanks again!
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
20 Jan 10
Sounds like it's the baby's safety,or the dog going...I know which outcome my money would be on...
@nicholejade (2430)
• Canada
19 Jan 10
First off you should never of god a dog when you were pregnant and specially one that was adopted as they are usually older than just a puppy and a few years old. You should of asked more questions about the dog when you first got it. How it reacts around people? Has it ever bit someone? Etc. The only thing that you can do right now is get rid of the dog. It is not worth putting your child in harms way let alone others as you mentioned it has bitten a few of your neighbours. You are lucky you are not being sued. Get rid of the dog ASAP and when you decide to get a dog. Get a puppy and make sure you have the time and can give the puppy all the time in the world for training it.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
20 Jan 10
I'd get rid of that dog the soonest possible time if I were in your place. I don't think I would ever risk the safety of my baby and of other people just for a dog. i can always get another dog which behaves well anyway.
1 person likes this
@liamsam (31)
• Philippines
20 Jan 10
the dog goes. no other option or the baby gets hurt. find another home for the dog and if you love dogs so much, find another one.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 10
I have a baby girl who is six months old and a disabled toddler son who is two years old. I own two miniature poodles called Secret and Magic. Magic is a dear little dog and the worst she could do would be lick. Secret jumps up and gets wild when a visitor comes round. Secret could possibly nip. I am strict with him and use my voice to good control. I got visited by children that tried to pull his ears. I have taught my toddler son to be loving and gentle towards my dogs. I think dog training might help your dog and use your voice to say 'no'. I would suggest stopping him bite people. Good luck.
@mzz663 (2772)
• United States
2 Feb 10
While a dachshund is a small dog, I would guess that they could be pretty aggressive. If you can't re-home the kid, you could always re-home the dog. If you don't want to re-home either I would get a muzzle until you know your baby is safe being left alone in the room with the dog. If you adopted him, you don't really know what he dealt with before you adopted him and it could be that he just doesn't like kids. better to be safe than sorry later if your baby ends up being disfigured from an angry aggressive dog.
• United States
19 Jan 10
I wouldn't, under any circumstances, have that dog around the baby. If he gets hold of her and leaves a scar or does worse, and he can, you'll never forgive yourself. And, you are a walking lawsuit right now if this dog bites people, and you're lucky right now that there are no suits against you. It sounds as if he needs to have only one owner, a single person, no kids. I, personally, do not think training will work at this time anymore. I would never trust him regardless of training or not. One wrong move from her as she gets older and he'll bite her, he's too aggressive.
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
19 Jan 10
Sorry you have no time, dog has got to go, you just can't take a chance with the baby. Your child is just the right size for the dog to bite her in the face. This is a very common ER situation, baby or small child bit in the face. There is no time to train the dog. Just my take on this situation.
• Canada
22 Jan 10
1st did you train your dog with a choke chain. If not start NOW. pLACE A LEASH ON THE CHOKE CHAIN. Long perfered, so you can control your pet. Place the baby on 1 side of you the dog on the other. Talk to the baby while petting the dog. If the dog does anything but listen to you and the baby, pull on the choke chain and yell NO to the dog. When it calms down start over untill the pet understands you mean No , to behave around the baby... When you are comfortable with this place the dog opposite you, place the lead on the leg of aa chair so it is behind the pet when you pull the leash it will have the effect that you re behind or beside the dog when you pull the leash. Have the dog laying on the floor , place the baby on your lap , talking to the baby and the dog so no one is left out. If the dog makes any noise other than paying attension pull the lead and a firm NO. Do this untill the dog understands, then you can let it come closer repeating the above . DO NOT LET THE PET NEAR THE BABY UNTILL IT UNDERSTANDS YOU WANT IT TO BEHAVE AROUND THE BABY AND WILL NOT PUT UP WITH ANYTHING ELSE.. REMEMBER ALWAYS LUV/ CARE FOR DOG/ PET, THEY WILL ALWAYS LUV U... AND BABY TO
@harmonee (1228)
• United States
21 Jan 10
We were worried that our dogs would react that way when we had our son. Thankfully, they like him just fine, or ignore him. It sounds like your dog may have some possessive issues. I hate to say it, but if it came to chosing the safety of my child and my pet, as much as I love my dogs, they would have to go. I know you would feel terrible if your dog ended up bitting your baby, and since it sounds like there is a track record of biting, it may be a very real possibility. I think maybe it is time to find a new home for puppy.
• Pamplona, Spain
24 Jan 10
Hiya jhess, Congrats on your new Baby. I would look to see if any of your Family are willing to have him for a while to see how he behaves with them maybe with the trigger taken away from him and out of sight he might just react. He might not be able to help what he does he needs to be right away and out of reach from your Child being around her he will not change see if you can get someone who understands too see if they can help out and take the Dog in for a while to see how he get´s on with them I would ask them to do this for a good few months save nine or ten to see if he calms down he may well do. Hope he learns to behave with someone else. Take care now.
• India
20 Jan 10
i think ... u shoul give lil time to ur dog also..as dog is feeling insecure nw.. so nw ur baby is getting more ur attentin.. so just cntinue the previous behaviour with the dog..nd be happy..
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
20 Jan 10
Hey Jhess! First off relax. THis is all very normal behavior. You have to remember you adopted this dog. Who knows what happened to him before you got him. The shelter always try to make it seem as if they rectified any and all behaviors. They dont really know what people treated the dog like. Unless there was physical proof. Put yourself in your dogs paws if you will. He gets a great home with nice parents then all of a sudden there's another thing there that his new parents are always paying attention too. That was his time and now there's a baby involved. THe nipping thing is a behavior. Dont hit him that will make him aggressive. Integrate him into family time. WHen you're feeding the baby tell your husband to play with him then vice versa. You have got to look at it from his point of view. He's feeling like he's going to be put aside because of the baby. Maybe the people that had him before put him in the cellar or outside when they had a baby. He's scared he's going to lose you. Please if anything dont get rid of him. He's your family. We wouldnt throw our children away if they were jealous. A dog is like a child. Especially one that has been pushed aside and given away before for whatever reason. He's afraid he'll be dumped again and he's fighting for his home. Same reason he doesnt like others. Last place he lived others were probably mean to him. Who knows. All he knows is that he loves mom and dad and nothing more. He will get used to the baby I promise. GOOD LUCK! If you need any help please send me a message. I get back to you. dl
• United States
20 Jan 10
Yes, call Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, and get on his show. Or, watch his show if it is in your area. He trains people to take proper care of their dogs by becoming the real pack leader. Dogs like yours sounds very insecure in his role at home. He's not being told by yours and your husbands body language that you are the bosses, so he's trying to fill the role. You really need someone to school you and the dog so everyone can live together happiy. If it's done correctly, the dog will accept the baby as a pack member who works to pack leader status, too.
@doggyhouz (548)
• United States
20 Jan 10
I'm sorry to hear that you have dog problems. The only solution I can think of is to get rid of the dog. I understand that may be a little difficult, but for the safety of your kids and the development as well. Sometimes its hard to teach old dogs new tricks but this shouldn't mean to have to keep trying and endanger your child. I totally suggests finding it a new home because as your child becomes older it might have developed a fear. Get rid of it, or train it ASAP. Sorry for the direct suggestions but I think it is the fastest and safest solution.
@LadyDD (515)
• Romania
20 Jan 10
It is really a very dangerous situation for the baby. No need to think too much about it. When a dog changes and becomes aggressive it's better to find another home for the dog with the help of a specialist. It might be also a way to manifest his-her wish to play. Generally dogs feel the purity and safety from the part of a child, but the dog doesn't always know how to deal with it as was not trained for it. My dog always loved our cats, but once when he wanted to play with a kitten, he grabbed the kitten's neck too tight and wrongly placed and killed him. There are good placed for the rehabilitation of the dogs.
@satya4186 (279)
• India
20 Jan 10
ya it's really looking amazing that they jealous from dog nothing is wrong because they are innocent.
• Indonesia
20 Jan 10
nice discuss brotha !