DS and infant... need help decoding doggie behavior

[katm4110]

We have had Stella for two weeks now and for the past few days she has been wanting to be close to my 6 month old daughter every chance she can. She's very gentle.... she will be laying on her bed and if I lay my daughter on the floor she will scoot very slowly (almost like an army crawl) over to her and then lick her face or feet.... and rub her head on the baby. I don't have an issue with this once in a while but don't understand why she's doing it. I hope she's not jealous of the baby. Obviously my children are never left unattended with Stella but this makes me just a little nervous. It's seriously adorable and she's so sweet and nurturing with her I would just like some advice on whether or not this is something to worry about. She has her evaluation next weekend and will start a 6 step obedience class that following week! Thanks in advance! Y'all have made being a first time dog owner so much easier on me!

[katm4110]

Here are some pictures of what she is doing... like I said I don't really mind it (although it does get annoying when I am trying to change her clothes or diaper)

[Marjolein]

awww, how cute!

I do not have children, so I cannot advied you very well on this, just that to me it would be clear: if it makes you nervous, don't let her. I would create just a bit more space, she can be with you and the baby, but at a distance. This could only be one snouth-length away, as long as it makes it very clear to her that the baby is yours. She will have plenty of time to play and interact later, but in this stage, I would make it so, that you are not nervous, and the dog knows it's place

I remember when my nephew Tijn was just born and they came to visit us. Ivil liked him, but kept a natural distance, she still does that (Tijn is 2 now). Dingo was VERY interested from the beginning, doing sort of the same, licking him, sitting right next to him. It made me nervous too, because I know Dingo very well. For you, the dog is relatively new, you do not now all she is just yet. Maybe, like Dingo, there is no bad intention at all, but because of his sort of "obsession" with Tijn, it did not make me feel comfortable. We have told him to go lie down on his bed if he got to close all evening. Now that Tijn is 2 and running/sreaming around, he sometimes looks like he wants to herd him, to me that is very dangerous behaviour, even when it is all play to Dingo, the way dogs play amongst each other can severly harm such a small child Other times he will be willing to play along, this summer Tijn would fill up Dingo's outside waterbowl with a little bucket, he would walk over to Dingo with it offering him a drink, and he would gently take a sip, even when he had a whole pond full of water in front of him and was not thirsty at all On other occasions I would have to call Dingo back, when Tijn is running I get the feelling he would like to "herd" him, that is a big no-no. So when Tijn feels like running, we put Dingo in his kennel, at least untill Tijn is older and we can explain to him how dogs think etc.

Anyway, long story, but I would create some space, so everyone is comfortable, Stella get's to enjoy the baby, and you get to enjoy them being together without worrying.

[Sugars Mom]

I ma not an expert, but when Stella is rubbing her head on your baby, I have heard that dogs roll on and "rub their scent" on things to claim them. If this is the case, I think you want that to stop right away. Giving space shows respect, so not getting too close may be something you want to establish. It also could be she is curious. Someone with more expertise want to comment?

[Christie M]

In my opinion, too much interaction could be dangerous regardless of the intentions. Babies are fragile....much more so than puppies. So even if she treated her like a "baby dog," something minor could happen that would cause you to be upset. Additionally, all dogs feed off of the emotions from their owners. So if you are nervous, she will pick up on it more and more.

I agree, require space. You can do so by teaching a formal place command and making sure good things happen there. Also, you don't want to wisk the baby out of reach every time she comes up, but rather require her to move back out of the baby's (and your) space.

Just based on the pictures, they seem curious and semi-appeasing. I don't think she is being dominant or anything (but they are only pictures), but one false step or move could turn into a shreeking infant which will change your behavior as well as hers. Prevention is a much better idea.

[katm4110]

Thank you all so much! She does seem very intrigued by Vivian and definitely curious.... but like Christie said one false move and ill have a screaming baby and a confused pup! I'm not sure what a formal place command is? But today we started moving Stella away from Vivian by tugging her drag leash or her collar.... she can be persistent but eventually just lays down next to me while I'm changing or playing with the baby which gives me plenty of space. Ill definitely address this with the trainer during her eval next weekend. While she's very sweet with the baby I would hate to see her accidentally get fur or her ear pulled and end up biting out of fear.... as cute as they are together I'm afraid Stella will have to wait until Vivian is a bit bigger before they can play..... thankfully she has 3 rowdy little boys to keep her busy until then!

[Marjolein]

But today we started moving Stella away from Vivian by tugging her drag leash or her collar

I like "pushing" them away with my body language, it makes it even clearer. I'm sure your trainer could explain this to you
You make yourself big in front of the dog, in a calm way, and walk towards it slowly, and "pushing" the dog without touching it, it will back up as you move forward. Hard to explain in writing

[Christie M]

I like "pushing" them away with my body language, it makes it even clearer. I'm sure your trainer could explain this to you
You make yourself big in front of the dog, in a calm way, and walk towards it slowly, and "pushing" the dog without touching it, it will back up as you move forward. Hard to explain in writing

That's what I was trying to say as well, but rereading what I wrote - it certainly left a lot up to interpretation.

[katm4110]

That makes sense.... I just kind of use my body to push her away.... do I say anything to her when I do this? Also should I be rewarding her when she does keep her distance from Vivian? if so how? praise? treats?

[katm4110]

I just tried it and it totally worked!!!! I stood between her and the baby's little bouncy seat and walked towards her until she was far enough away... she came back a 2nd time and I did it again then she stopped! I felt awful because she looked sad (ears back tail down) but she totally understood what I wanted from her! I'm super excited that this worked! It's crazy how a dog can interpret my body language like that!

[Marjolein]

Happy it is working for you! You do not need to talk, or reward, it is just an "understanding" I guess. Think like a dog Sometimes I use a soft "good girl" for Ivil if she has moved back enough, confirming she is where she is suppost to be. For Dingo I never say a word at this point, as he interprets that as "a weak moment" and moves forward again... So that would depend on the dog. Maybe you can reward her by spending a little time with her after she has waited at a distance, and the baby is comfy and safe in her bed or something?
Treats I would keep for real "work/obedience" rewards, showing some respect is "normal" and I would not reward to much, it would be like rewarding a neigbour for not parking in your driveway They are just not supposed to park there, no need to keep rewarding them, they respect you, you respect them. You don't sleep on her dogbed do you? So she can keep a little distance too, no problem

It's crazy how a dog can interpret my body language like that!

they are really good actually, no human understands it that quickly, I even learned that a simple smile can be reward for a dog, they see every facial muscle move.
With Ivil I even do a "blink-thing"...
She will be snuggled up at my feet, and I tell her she is a good dog by just quickly closing and opening both my eyes, she does it right back at me, and we continue watching TV

[Sugars Mom]

Glad it worked, yippee! I think the ears back and tail down is a submissive behaviour (not in a bad way). Tail tucked under would be fear.

I love what you say about the respect and not rewarding it. That was perfectly said.

And I love the blinking thing! That is super cute! I think I will use that one.

I find with Sugar that like you said about Dingo, sometimes saying something makes her go forward again. That happened to me when we are walking and if she gets a bit ahead I''ll get her to go back to my side and every time I said "good girl" or something like that she would step back up ahead so I discovered quickly that not saying anything was the answer for us.

[katm4110]

That makes perfect sense!

she didn't seem scared.... she just seemed to "get it" I can't wait to show my husband I'm so glad this works!

[Dutchringgirl]

I have to be careful with Sadie too about saying something too soon. If I tell her to drop it...then say good girl or something, she will pick it back up. I did the "pushing" thing with the doors, Sadie would rush the doors, and I would back her up with my body and say "backup" now if I just say back up, she does it by herself with out me physically pushing her. Again, once she has backed up and sat, I cant say anything or she will move. You could try saying "back" while you body push her, then if you need her to move and you cant physically push her, she will know to give you some space when you say "back"