My dog hates my son?

Question

I have an 8 year old dog. He has always been the sweetest most loving dog. We now have a 1 year old son. My dog hates him. Every time they are even in the same room, he snarles and barks at him. My dog loves other kids (as he always has). My nephews cam over recently (1 is the same age as my son) and my dog played with them like he was the nicest thing. I can't figure out what to do. I don't let the baby pull on him or hurt him in any way, but I want for them to at least get along. Please help as I don't know what to do! Can the vet help? Can he be trained for something like this? Aghh!!!!!!

Answer 1

See if you can get in contact with this guy, Cesar Millan, that I saw on a show on the National Geographic Channel, the Dog Whisperer. He is amazing at resolving issues owners have with their dogs. Last night I saw a show where he was able to take a dog that had an aggressive behavior towards any animal smaller than him to be calm around other animals and not try to go after them. You can go to the NGC website, which has a link to his website.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/

Answer 2

If you do really want to keep your dog, it would take a lot of time, which you may not have as a mother. Showing your dog that you are the boss/top dog, and spending time with it as well help a lot. If your going to show your dog that you are the boss there are some rules to follow:Never walk around or over your dog, make him move. You enter all doors first. All commands must be obeyed-tell him to go outside or get off the couch for no reason at all a few times a day.
Spending time with the dog and your son doing pleasurable activities can be great. Take walks, or play fetch, allowing your son to throw the ball (if he can). Obviously, never leave you son alone with the dog.
Also, make sure the dog knows that growling/barking at your son will not be tolerated. Put him outside, tie him to something, turn your back on him (quite literally, dogs are highly social and being left alone is a high punishment) or have a time-out area such as a baby-gated area or crate. Then, when he is allowed back, show him that he can play WITH you. Let the child throw treats to him or something of that sort.
But, if the dog seems to be too agressive you will need profesional help (try a hollistic vet, who wont tell you to get rid of him right away) or give him away.

Answer 3

He is an older dog, and he just could be jealous. See your nephews aren't there all the time but your son is. And I am sure your dog feels like the little one gets all of the attention. Try and spend more time with your dog. Try letting your son give him treats, that might work if not then go and see your vet and ask him for some suggeations as to why this is happening. Good Luck!

Answer 4

He is jealous of the baby's place in the home. Make sure that you give the dog a lot of attention while the baby sleeps. Don't leave them alone together or the dog may bite him. I think as the baby gets a little older everything will work itself out. Just be patient. Just let the dog know that you still love him too.

Answer 5

When I was born, my family had a boxer. She was very sweet, but jealous of me (the baby who got lots of attention). Make sure you give your dog lots of attention, but if he snarles or barks at the baby, say, "NO" and remove the dog from the room for a short "time out". Then bring the dog back in & be consistent about it. Also, make sure your baby doesn't have dirty diaper (that upsets dog). Also NEVER leave them alone together. You may have to hold the baby & bring the dog over to the baby, so dog can smell baby & make sure you give lots of love to dog (pet & say, "good boy" to dog while doing it). When dog realizes he will continue to get positive reinforcement for being around baby & being NICE around baby, but will be punished ("bad dog" "NO' and time out) if not nice around baby, dog will learn.

My golden/Irish setter used to growl around my son when son was 2 1/2. I used this approach & now, son is 8 & dog is 9 & they are best buddies!
Good luck.

Answer 6

Re-homing your dog may be necessary, but if you want to exhaust all your other options first (nothing wrong with that as long as your son and dog are kept apart in the meantime) and are willing to commit to a lot of work, you need to have a professional observe the two together. Go to www.apdt.com to search for a trainer or ask your vet for a referral to a behaviorist. They can tell you if this is fixable or not.

Good luck!

Answer 7

As much as you clearly love your dog, you know you can't put your son in harms way. It's sounds like you've given the dog an entire year now to get used to your baby... at this point I'd recommend you find the dog a new home. Sorry.

Answer 8

I'd recommend you take the dog to the vet also This is a dramatic change in behaviour and there may be a medical issue causing it.

If there are no medical reasons for the change, then I would seek out a professional dog trainer immediately. (Try Petsmart or your local dog training club).

Until the problem is addressed and solved, keep child and dog separated.

Answer 9

Jealousy. You need to either send the dog to obedience school, learn how to train you dog to see you as the top dog, or get rid of the dog.

Personally, the easiest thing would be to get rid of the dog and get another when your son reaches the age of 5 or 6 and can learn a valuable life lesson by helping to take care of it.

Answer 10

Sounds like some jealousy between the dog and your son. I would be very careful with the dog around your son. If it was me, I would get rid of the dog. Your son is more important than the dog.