My mom's miniature Australian Shepherd nipped my daughter last night. The dog is about 5 years old and my daughter is 19 months. The dog has had weekly contact with my daughter for the last 7 months. My mom babysat my daughter on a daily basis for about 3 months. This is the first time I’ve seen any aggression toward her. The dog does avoid her some times (gets up and walks away). My mom also has a Border Collie mix and that dog has also shown no aggression.

I did see at least one sign of a problem before last night. The Aussie does take food from my daughter. Snatching cookies, chips, stuff like that when my daughter is not paying attention.

Here is a brief rundown of what I saw:

It was about 8:00 PM and the dog was lying on the ground near my mom.
My daughter came up from behind the dog to give her a hug.
The dog let out a short bark and nipped my daughter.
I made sure my daughter was “ok” and then I pinned the dog to the carpet.
The dog let out a little yelp when I pinned her (I did not hurt her, I think she was surprised)
I picked her up roughly and took her to another room
On the way she let out a disapproving noise/growl and I gave her a verbal correction

I didn’t want to overreact or make things any worse last night. My daughter is fine (tiny cut) and doesn’t seem effected by the incident.

I talked to my mom and she is willing to do whatever it takes to protect my daughter. We can physically separate the dog from my daughter, but that it not my first choice if I can fix the dog.

My daughter didn’t jump on the dog, pull hair or anything of that nature.

Does this sound like a Pack Structure Problem? The dog is VERY attached to my mother; I hear this is a breed trait.

I’m a little unsure how to proceed. If it was me, I’d be willing to “test” her and see if she does it again. Obviously not going to do that with my daughter.

There is one new rule:

Zero tolerance on food theft. Strong correction for any attempt

Fitting into the theme o the weekend well... why does the dog need to put up with abuse from a 19 month old kid?

If you take a moment of time and think of it from the dog's point of view. There I was lying on the floor minding my own business when something toddled up and grabbed me from behind in a way I didn't like. Then I let it know I didn't like it. Then some guy grabbed me, knocked me to the ground for something, and hauled me away scaring me half do death.

Very few dogs I've known like hugs. Fewer yet who like hugs with the reckless abandon kids have for them. The straight answer is no dog is 100% safe around kids. There are several boundry issues that are being ignored with this dog. First off the dog should try to avoid the kid. Everything that you've described supports avoidance with the exception of food. I think it's a good thing and perhaps a redirect for the kid is in order next time. Basically next time your kid wants to bug the dog hand him a toy instead.

Finally, once a dog has figured out that kids are a food supply you need to seperate the dog from the kid and food experience. We figured this out when my nephew was born and suddenly the two dogs began circling the table like a couple of sharks waiting for the inevitable food to hit the floor. Once that occurred we threw them outside at meal time. Why punish the dog for being food motivated? It'll just create a dog who will wait for your back to be turned before taking that cookie just like the dog that waits until you're out the door before garbage diving.

I agree with Melissa.

The child should not have been allowed to approach the dog while it was sleeping. Children should be taught not to go near dogs that are playing, eating, in its bed or sleeping. If they are too young to learn this then the dog should be crated or under control at all times.

When the dog and child are together there should be an adult present to enforce the rules. You need to protect the dog just as much as the child.

I noticed my dog began having a problem with my grandson around 7-10 mths of age (grandson, not the dog). My friend has 4 huskies and they started having a problem with her granddaughter around that age. Truthfully, I wouldn't have a baby who can crawl around a dog or a toddler stumbling and who believes he or she is the center of the universe around a dog, period.

"Your" dog was surprised and then punished for reacting. I did that with mine at first, then realized he wasn't at fault.

2. Mine started not warning...not a good thing.

3. My job was to keep him safe and NOT expect him to tolerate a smelly, sticky, rude, loud, jerky thing getting in his face or climbing on him.

I learned the rules early, but I also learned the hard way to always be aware. Always be there or don't have the child available to get the dog.

The dog has never been in a crate. Putting her in a crate and/or in another room every time my daughter is over is going to be touture for the dog.

Well, if you crated the child you would feel worse. This is a human problem, not a dog problem, but the dog will be the one to pay for it.

There is lots of info on the net about crate training, read some of it. A crate is not a bad thing and most dogs tolerate them well.
In this case a crate is like a bed - a safe place away from the baby. When my nephews come over the dogs both go into their crates by choice when they have had enough. If we have food or I leave the room both dogs are shut in.

Sticking her in a crate when the baby has food or is bothering her will keep the baby safe. Toss a bone in with the dog and she'll be quite happy to hang around in there.

The important thing is that she should get used to being in a crate or seperate room at a number of times, not just when the baby comes over. You have to see it as a good thing.

With all due respect, correcting the dog for a kid infringing on its space is probably more "torture" than a crate. That was an unfair correction in my opinion. The adults should have prevented the kid from hugging the dog.

The adults in this situation need to ensure that the kid gives the dogs proper space and the dogs respect the kid as well. I would teach the dog a "leave it" command for the food issue and I would teach the kid that dogs are not stuffed animals to be hugged at any time.

Good luck, with a little behavior modification on everyone's part (adults included) this problem should go away :-)

I have gates up now to separate the dogs from my grandson. Search Hambone on this forum and look for hambone and g-son.
I have gates up that allow Hambone and Lucy freedom through the back half of the house, yet keep him separate from Austin if Austin is being a booger...and at 2, he is ALWAYS a booger.

You don't have to crate. But, you do have to separate. And, you do have to maintain control. You don't have to expect the dog to get along. Trust me, it may not happen, but since I kept Austin from Hambone and started picking him up and moving him from the dogs, etc, the dogs are much calmer. STill not safe to leave them alone with the 2 year old, but I AM THE BOSS and the dogs get gated if I say so...mostly they run to the gates now...lol.

Safety for the child, fairness for the dog. YOUR responsibility.

Hi Keith, nice to see you posting. Sorry it's under these circumstances. How's Starbuck?

I guess you can see the consensus here; it's pretty much a management issue, especially since your little girl is only 19 months old.

Good luck...