Help - Toni knocked down two year old

[Toni'smom]

and now she wants nothing to do with Toni. I gently introduced Toni to Lauren but Toni lunged and jumped on her. She was just so excited. My granddaughter is staying with me for two weeks and I hate to make Toni stay outside while Lauren is awake. I tried bringing her back in on the leash but she was just too excited. I told her to sit and praised her for sitting but then she would just jump up and try to get to Lauren. I know she is not trying to hurt her, just wants to play, but she is so big and Lauren is so little. Any hints to help us here? I even brought her near Lauren this morning while Lauren was in her high chair and she tried to jump up. I keep telling her no and sit and down, which the sit and down she does immediately, but will not stay. Thanks for any help.

[rog1006]

I would just keep doing what you're doing. Correcting her behavior and praising like an idiot is a great start and she should start learning how to be appropriate with a toddler. It's just new and she's excited, so she's expected to be a bit nutty right now... I would try giving Toni a kong to distract her when the babys is eating, etc. so she can get used to the idea of a baby in the house without being in her face every second. I'm sure Tulsa Dan will have some great tips for ya, so I'll leave the schooling to the professionals!

Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue

[bommy]

I think you have a good idea of what to do already! I'd keep doing that.. I have never personally had this problem with my kids as my dogs have always been subjected to them as babies & then instinct must take over as they are sooo gentle..... but when we used to take them home for holidays in the time before our skinbabies I remember Chief always used to knock my nephew over in his exuberance to play..I think because the kids are generally the same height they figure its open season on another dog......can you kiddie gate her to an area or maybe playpen her & let lauren walk around her patting her & talking softly...dont forget though if lauren is excited around toni then toni will be around her too....Goodluck I hope that they both settle soon & get used to each others company

Jacqui & family
skin & fur in harmony

[bustermom]

Lots and lots and lots of doggy exercise works wonders when all else fails! Our Buster is 2 years old and adores children - esp. toddlers. My son is only 3 months old so Buster is happy just cuddling with him, but "kids on the move" are a constant source of fascination.

If we're expecting company that includes little ones, we run Buster around the backyard for at least an hour in a rousing game of fetch, soccer or whatever comes to mind. By the time the little ones arrive he's lost his edge and is much calmer which in turn allows for a better experience for both pup and child.

It's not easy having a rambunctious boxer at eye level! Work on the "off" command several times a day using some special reward (chicken bits, liver, etc.) to let Toni know that this command is worth obeying every time. You're in a time crunch and you need a reward that is more appealing than Lauren - so go all out and make listening to the "off" command the equivalent of doggie nirvana. It shouldn't be long before Toni will head for Lauren, hear an "off!" (because you're constantly supervising as should always be the case with kids and dogs!) and turn away from Lauren to look for her reward. Lauren will breathe a sigh of relief, Toni will get chubby (you can scale back the rewards when Lauren leaves ), and you'll have fingers that permanently smell like liver or chicken bits...

[Toni'smom]

Thanks everyone. I did babygate her in my bedroom yesterday afternoon. My bedroom door opens on to my living room so she could see us. Although she barked quite a bit, things were much better. Lauren even fed her some doggie treats. I guess Lauren felt safe with her on the other side of the fence. I was with Lauren, of course, and the first treat I told Toni "gentle". Now whether she understood what I was saying or not I do not know but she very gently took the treat. I then told her good girl. The next 5 treats Lauren said gentle and then when Toni sat like a lady and took the treats gently Lauren said good girl. We will work on it some more this evening and if it works again then I am going to try letting her out tomorrow using bustersmom's advice. At least with her babygated she does not have to be outside alone which I just hate. She needs to be in the house and I need her in the house.

[Toni'smom]

Just wanted to let everyone know that things were better this morning. We let Toni be in the same room with Lauren. We were right there. We put Lauren on the vanity chair and had Toni lay "down" on the floor next to her. She actually stayed until Lauren told her "up Toni", then Toni put one paw on the vanity chair and carefully raised up. I was right there saying gentle, gentle. Toni did not jump or get excited. We praised her for being a good girl. Unfortunately Lauren turned away and put her arm up but Toni did not touch her, just looked at her. We took Toni back down and sent her to the kitchen with daddy. She was fine with it. Daddy fed her some banana for being a good girl. Then Lauren was like "Where's Toni". I told her in the kitchen with gampa and off she went looking for them. Toni did not jump on her at all. Then Toni had to go outside and Lauren ate breakfast. All is getting better. I will post a picture of Lauren turning away and Toni just looking like, hey you called me, what did I do wrong, when the gallery is back up. This evening I will try to get them to be together without a babygate for a few minutes before I put Toni in my room behind the gate. I have my fingers crossed. I'll let you know how it goes.