New 4 year old boxer & 13 month old daughter

[katied]

Hi,
We have adopted a 4 year old female boxer (our only dog) and know nothing about her background as she was taken into the rescue centre as a stray but they are very strict about which dog they will let you adopt if you have small children and they suggested her to us. She is really well behaved in that she'll sit, lay down, stay, stop when you tell her to and also she has no problem if you go near her when shes eating or take something off her (if you tell her to leave it she will)she is also fantastic off her lead (although when she goes out for her night time walk on the lead she goes a little bit crazy and trys to attack her lead!) and gets on brilliantly with all other dogs so far.
The only problem we've had so far is that she has snapped at my 10 year old nephew when he tried to play with her ears when she was sleeping (he has his own dog & should have known better than to do this, also there was no need for him to go anywhere near her).
This may be a really riduculous question but how do I know if she likes my daughter?! We so badly want this to work out as Katie is such a fantastic dog and so far other than lots of kisses shes not really paid any attention to my daughter. My daughter is gentle with her (doesn't pull her ears, poke her eyes, grab her etc) and we try to make sure she leaves her alone when shes asleep and doesn't go near her while shes eating just in case and so far if Bailey has been bothering her shes just got up & walked away or switched positions so shes moved away from her. I'm just worried that if Bailey accidently falls on her or something (shes not long started walked & is still a little wobbly) then Katie might go for her? Sorry this is so long, just really want them to get on! Any thoughts would be much appreciated. x

[ELubas]

You are wise to be cautious but it sounds like so far so good. I would continue to be very careful of thier interactions as a 13 month old still does not know what is ok with a dog. But it is excellent that Katie just walks away! I think the snap with your nephew was quite reasonable as she was startled but still showed great restraint. I am very cautious and when little ones were toddling around I tended to keep the dogs behind a baby gate so the dogs could hang out but not be in the same area as the baby. Once the kids got on thier feet then I was more comfortable having them all together. And, like you, I also taught them to never go near the dogs when they were sleeping, chewing a bone, eating. None of mine ever showed a bit of defensiveness or food guarding but they are entitled to thier meals and quiet time and kids are happy to respect that. All in all I think you are doing a great job and I have a feeling you, and your daughter, and Katie will be just fine