ResponsibilityTop857 t1_j94165h wrote on February 19, 2023 at 2:01 AM

Reply to comment by ToothlessGrandma in Our dog’s reaction to bringing home our tiny human by drscurvy

So do people who let dogs and very small children play unattended together.

Dogs are not people, and are carnivores with a dog's level of understanding. I don't think I would let a dog this close to an infant until I was sure the animal was used to it, and I would never let a dog and an infant/ toddler in the same room unless I was keeping a close eye on the situation.

You never know when a dog, even one you've known for years who is well trained and has a history of good behavior, will attack an infant.

Exatraz t1_j94hf0j wrote on February 19, 2023 at 4:15 AM

Obviously it depends on the breed but most of the time the risk isn't the dog attacking the baby but the dog getting over protective of the baby to the point it doesn't allow anyone else near it without aggression. So yes, gotta keep the distance between the dog and the baby to establish the Pack dynamics and get the dog to learn that the baby is an extension of your authority. You shouldn't leave the dog unsupervised with the baby either but like, that's also true with most things. You generally don't leave babies this young unsupervised

[deleted] t1_j94yo4k wrote on February 19, 2023 at 7:22 AM

In foreign countries having a real guard dog at home with young kids is the best security/daycare you’ll get. My rotti got out one time and I found him down the street playing with a three year old kid and his dad. Had the kids pet him while he ate too as a puppy so food is never an issue.

Exatraz t1_j9585xd wrote on February 19, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Yeah, dogs and kids are great. With babies you have to be more careful as you are still establishing where that baby fits in the new pack dynamic. Again, most things I've read all point to usually the issue isn't the dog hurting the baby but becoming too aggressive towards others trying to protect the baby. This causes issues when say grandma comes over and tries to pick up crying baby. Dog doesn't understand that grandma is trying to help just that baby is in distress. If you've adequately enforced that the baby is under your authority as Pack leader, instead the dog will look to you for feedback and seeing that you are OK with grandma and baby, will defer to that authority.