8 month old baby & 4 yr old boxer issues

duke212 · #1 05-19-2009, 03:18 PM

Hello everyone,

Since the day we brought our daughter home from the hospital Duke has been good with her.. kisses, interested in everything, follows us everywhere etc etc. We've had Duke since he was a puppy. He's always been a little leary of kids but fine once he is with them for a few mins.

Now that she is so mobile he doesn't want much to do with her. She WANTS to go to him and he will get up and walk away. Also she tries to pull up on him and he does not like it... today he even growled. It's like he is scared of her and her mobility. Lila loves Duke and her face lights up when she sees him. I want him to love her but I'm worried about him being aggressive to her. He has NEVER been aggressive to anyone (would possibly hurt an intruder?) but has never shown sign of aggressiveness towards friends /family.

What do you all think? Anyone have experience like this?

Thanks!

duke212 · #2 05-20-2009, 07:08 AM

I've been posting about this on another website I go on. I feel worse now... so many people posted that I should get rid of him! WTF? That thought has NOT even crossed my mind!!!!!! Duke is part of our family and it was a small growl, not an attack! Duke has never hurt anyone... I'm not denying that you NEVER know what a dog would do, but honestly at this point I'm not concerned that he is going to attack her. I need to really diligently do NILIF bc I've been slacking on that. And of course just watch them very closely and not leave them unattended of course.

Does anyone have an experience with this or advice????? Thanks.

johann · #3 05-20-2009, 07:44 AM

i wouldn't get rid of Duke. It suonds like he is trying very hard to be a good boy (walking away, etc). He sounds lik he's uncomfortable when she tries to climb on/up him.

Personally (with no experience, have no kids), I would keep them separate for a while. At least until your daughter is old enough to not try to pull herself up on Duke. And obviously never leave them alone together.

Is she just staring to be more mobile? He may just need some more adjustment time.

It doesn't sound like an aggression issue to me. It sounds like a good dog that is saying "I really don't like being climbed on/pulled on" the only way he knows how.

SweetCody · #4 05-20-2009, 11:33 AM

I swear sometimes people aggravate me. Everyone thinks "get rid of it" is such a good thing to do anymore. My main advice is to always watch them, which you are already doing. And it wouldn't hurt to talk with a trainer that might be able to help better.
Duke does sound like a good boy, he hasn't made any move to harm the baby, just to get away from the baby. Even at 8 months old you can start teaching your baby not to pull up on him...it will be slow going but a good no-no and a redirect to the sofa or the coffee table will catch on. Good luck.

Abby Angel · #5 05-24-2009, 07:16 PM

We had a similar situation with our granddaughter 11yrs ago. Our vet told us it was probably because the dog was not around small children as our kids were grown. He told us just to be careful and to watch them together and not leave them alone. We would sit on the floor and let the dog get use to the baby and make sure the baby would not pull her ears etc. It didn't take long and more grandbabies came along and Maggie was fine with all of them..she loved them all. Just give it some time and maybe try sitting on the floor to let Duke know that it is all ok. People who say get rid of Duke have got to be so uncaring. Who could ever do that???? He has been a good boy by removing himself. Good boy Duke. Good luck! It will work out ~ just will take sometime.

Roxanna · #6 05-26-2009, 12:41 PM

Growling doesn't always equal aggression. Among themselves, the alpha dogs will correct the others with a growl to let them know they do not like whatever it is that the younger ones are doing. For those of us that have more than one dog, we see this all the time.

You should however, continue to supervise but do not separate them. Your dog needs to learn that even the smallest of humans is ABOVE him. He is the lowest member in your pack. Most Boxers are very protective of their human children and Duke will be too. In the meantime, just supervise their interaction.

Are you still exercising Duke daily? He might resent the baby if he feels he is being ignored since the baby's arrival. You could put baby in a stroller and you can all go out for a walk together. You'll be amazed how protective Duke will be of the baby out in public.

HTH

Roxanna · #7 05-26-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxanna

Growling doesn't always equal aggression. Among themselves, the alpha dogs will correct the others with a growl to let them know they do not like whatever it is that the younger ones are doing. For those of us that have more than one dog, we see this all the time.

You should however, continue to supervise but do not separate them. Your dog needs to learn that even the smallest of humans is ABOVE him. He is the lowest member in your pack. Most Boxers are very protective of their human children and Duke will be too. In the meantime, just supervise their interaction.

Are you still exercising Duke daily? He might resent the baby if he feels he is being ignored since the baby's arrival. You could put baby in a stroller and you can all go out for a walk together. You'll be amazed how protective Duke will be of the baby out in public.

HTH

I don't think I was clear enough here after reading this. Basically Duke is trying to correct your baby and is not necessarily showing aggression. He also might be trying to establish his dominance over baby by growling which needs to be corrected. Again, Duke needs to learn that he ranks BELOW your baby in the pack. I hope I was more clear.

x19er · #8 05-27-2009, 05:37 AM

Our Dino does this to our 1 year old son too sometimes if he's being leaned on especially if he's tired and wanting to sleep. He also does the walking off when he wants some peace and quiet. We have 2 boxers and they are never left unsupervised with the baby. I just try to stop baby from bothering Dino when he's tired and if he does growl I remove baby from the situation and leave Dino to it. I'm not worried I know he's not being aggressive just saying give me some space the only way he can. As has already been said just supervise their interaction, remove baby from the situation if it's getting too much - you know your dog best. One time Dino let out a wee growl, immediately got up and gave baby a big lick as if to say sorry mate but that was sore!

chensir · #9 05-28-2009, 04:41 PM

Oddly enough what I say may sound stupid but I've seen it work. Even though a baby is involved, try getting the baby involved in the normal routines of the dog. When you feed the dog, kind of try to hold the baby and help the baby put the dog dish down, same for opening the door to let the dog out to do his business have the child help with the door.

With the dog seeing this he may change the pack order of the child by seeing it is helping the "Alpha" out.

I'm not saying to get rid of the dog by any means, but trying to change the pack order may help you out.