We have a 4 month old boy and a 3 year old Springer spaniel. Since we brought bubba home the dog has been jealous. It started with him destroying anything of the babys he could get his paws on. Then a few weeks ago he scratched my babys nose trying to get a toy off him. And now this morning he scratched up his face for no reason and its a really deep gauge. I've told other half that the dog has got to go I'm not willing to risk him seriously hurting my baby but he refuses to rehome him. I don't know what to do as the dog can't be trusted. I don't understand why my partner is willing to risk our sons life. You hear about dogs killing babys all the time and my baby is not going to be one of them. I don't know what to do.
Baby and Dog
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dollface79
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I'm afraid if it were me i would be giving him an ultimatum, its you and his child or the dog. Pets can start out a little jelous but the fact that it has hurt the baby twice now is a big no no.
Sassysugar
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I would be rehoming as you don't want the dog to end up attacking the baby, especially as it's hurt the baby twice already. Tell your partner tough, the dog has to go!
Simoneh00
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With extreme retraining and complete separation from the baby for a while, it could be possible to solve the problem. However, the amount of effort that requires is phenomenal. If you're partner won't put in the effort then the best option would be for the dog to go to a new home with no kiddies where he can the centre of attention again.
Some dogs just aren't meant to for kids. I re homed one of my dogs about 3 years ago after months and months of effort to try and help him but he just wasn't sure of children. He would shake and hide when they were noisy, same when strangers came in, he didn't like other dogs, etc. Now in his new home he's so happy. He lives with 2 adults only.
Your partner will need to open his eyes and realise what's more important
Some dogs just aren't meant to for kids. I re homed one of my dogs about 3 years ago after months and months of effort to try and help him but he just wasn't sure of children. He would shake and hide when they were noisy, same when strangers came in, he didn't like other dogs, etc. Now in his new home he's so happy. He lives with 2 adults only.
Your partner will need to open his eyes and realise what's more important
Rachel80
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I had a similar situation, my oh got a dog just before I gave birth. I didn't want the dog but agreed to try for his sake (it was his racing greyhound that was retiring). She was big, boisterous, lovely & wanted to play but was jumping on he sofas going mad, running between rooms & trying to terrorise the cat! It caused a lot of rows but I just couldn't have such a large dog with big scratchy claws potentially jumping on my lo (unintentionally), I need to be able to leave him on his playmat whilst I went to the loo etc & I couldn't constantly watch him, the dog & the cat. It would've driven me mental, it was starting to. In the end she was rehomed & has gone to a lovely home with no cats or children!
We now have a puppy & whilst it's bloody hard work he is small, trainable & will grow up with my son. Plus he loves the cat (although she's not as keen!).
You need to be able to feel relaxed in your own home & it doesn't sound like you can at the moment x
We now have a puppy & whilst it's bloody hard work he is small, trainable & will grow up with my son. Plus he loves the cat (although she's not as keen!).
You need to be able to feel relaxed in your own home & it doesn't sound like you can at the moment x
I'm surprised a springer is acting like that as they are very friendly dogs and aim to please their owners.
Since baby has arrived have you taken the time to introduce the dog to lo? Has the dogs routine changed in anyway since lo arrived? Is the dog a puppy as they will require more attention and time to train them and won't necessarily realise right and wrong and whose toys belong to who.
We had a springer when my lo was born and he was amazing with her.
I would suggest keeping them separate for a while and reintroduce the dog to lo and their toys.
If you feel strongly about not wanting the dog then I suppose rehoming is the only option.
Since baby has arrived have you taken the time to introduce the dog to lo? Has the dogs routine changed in anyway since lo arrived? Is the dog a puppy as they will require more attention and time to train them and won't necessarily realise right and wrong and whose toys belong to who.
We had a springer when my lo was born and he was amazing with her.
I would suggest keeping them separate for a while and reintroduce the dog to lo and their toys.
If you feel strongly about not wanting the dog then I suppose rehoming is the only option.
Sorry to hear you are in this situation. If the dog was intending to hurt your baby, he wouldn't scratch. Scratching and pawing is usually play behaviour. Perhaps your dog is trying to get involved. Although this is no excuse if you aren't comfortable having the dog around your baby. Like others have said if you have the time and inclination, it could be helped but you have to go with your gut instinct. If you think there's a risk, you need to sort it. Perhaps seek advice from a behaviourist local to you, so they can come and assess your dog, let them know what your thoughts are, a decent one will give you an honest opinion of what would be best for the dog. X
