Hello,

We have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever who has recently started nipping at our 8 month old son (just started crawling). He does not outwardly show aggression, but has been acting nervous around Sam (our son). All incidences of nipping have included Sam being close to him. The dog will stop the behaviour when either my husband and I see him get up quickly (as if he is going to nip him).
This dog also has a history of nipping and biting other children and men who come in the yard who he doesn't know.
I am just beginning to learn about pack behaviour and would like first and foremost to have a secure environment for our son and secondly to be able to keep our dog and work with him. We have plans of getting a kennel outside as the dogs are currently inside/outside (we have a pitbull whom we have had no issues with).
Any advice? Do you think this will get better? I am concerned for my son as he gets older and will most likely try and take a toy from him at some point, etc. We have considered returning him to the breeder we got him from (she offered to take him back) but would like to keep him a part of the family if it will work out.
Thanks for any input!
Becky

First off - welcome to the board!

How old is the dog?
Is it a new introduction to the family?
Who came first - the dog or your son?
What steps did you take to acclimate the dog to your son before allowing them to get so close ?

 Quote: Rebecca Eckert

We have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever who has recently started nipping at our 8 month old son (just started crawling)...

This dog also has a history of nipping and biting other children and men who come in the yard who he doesn't know.

Hi Rebecca,
More experienced people than I can comment about steps you should be taking to work with your Chessie on his behavior towards children, but in the mean time - PLEASE don't leave this dog loose in the same room as your baby!! Even if it seems like you can stop his behavior IF you catch him, everything could change in a millisecond, and you just DON'T want to take that chance... separating the dog from the infant crawling on the ground should not be that difficult, and it will absolutely prevent the possibility of a bite.

~Natalya

With his history of biting, and the current biting, there is absolutely no reason that this dog should be around kids.

If they aren't together, your son can't get bit. That simple.

Your son is more important, and it is your job to keep him from getting mauled. Maybe it can be fixed, maybe not. But I truly feel that this could take a grim turn at any second. Please don't let them have contact with one another. Ever.

You came to a good place. You will definitely get good advice for this situation. Please take it all to heart.

Natalya & Michael are absolutely right - don't take chances.

You don't have to give your dog up, but it will take scheduling, co ordination, strength, and guts to keep a dog separated from a child. but do it now, and it won't seem a big deal to your child.

How much do you want your dog? How much time do have to invest in this?

I have a dog that put a couple of "nicks" in my grandson's face so I kinda know what you're going through.

I put up gates, constant watching of my grandson and separation. My boy has health problems, so I think that contributed to his "nicking" my grandson, so first get a physical on the dog, then set up a program.

But above all, don't punish the dog for nipping or growling. Many dogs don't like a crawling, pushy, smelly, sticky, little "beast" crawling to them and pulling on them. :smile:
There is a difference between nipping to keep away and seeking out to nip, but regardless, this dog has a history of biting, so I would be very sure I want to keep this dog and work with this dog.

 Quote: michael_wise

You came to a good place. You will definitely get good advice for this situation. Please take it all to heart.

I second this - didn't mean to jump on you Rebecca, you WILL find a lot of fantastic advice here, and we all have your child's best interest in mind. I just wanted to make sure you understand the potential for this "nipping" behavior to result in an actual bite. Your dog is visibly anxious (understandably) around an unpredictable little human who is now mobile - some dogs will turn that anxiety into defense if they feel trapped... this doesn't mean the dog is bad, or can't be worked with to become more comfortable with children, but as it stands, and with his history, just don't leave things open to chance.

~Natalya

****Personal opinion....I am not a dog trainer.****

 Quote: jo harker

But above all, don't punish the dog for nipping or growling. Many dogs don't like a crawling, pushy, smelly, sticky, little "beast" crawling to them and pulling on them. :smile:

Clarification: I don't believe punishing the dog AFTER he has nipped or growled will work. Like marker training, if you MARK the behavior that is what he will remember and punishing the dog after nipping? The picture I get is this: Dog Nips, you punish (mark)the dog, the behavior existing at the time --- crying child --- not biting dog. That's why I think punishing for nipping or growling is wrong.

Punishing for growling = dog that doesn't growl in warning before the bite happens.

Puppies nip.
Its what they do. Just like 8 months old children put everything in their mouths.

I wouldn't punish an 8 month old child for putting things in his mouth, and I don't punish puppies for nipping.

I keep small objects away from 8 month old children, and I keep 8 month old children away from puppies.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Punishing for growling = dog that doesn't growl in warning before the bite happens.

So true... a dog that is conditioned not to vocalize warning is a very dangerous dog.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Puppies nip.
Its what they do. Just like 8 months old children put everything in their mouths.

I wouldn't punish an 8 month old child for putting things in his mouth, and I don't punish puppies for nipping.

I didn't get the impression that this was a little puppy - young dog maybe, but the mention of a breeder return could apply to a dog of any age. I could be wrong though.

Rebecca - how old is the dog in question?

~Natalya