Quotations from Derrick and replies:

1. "But I can teach the dog to be more tolerating of Sydnee and make her more easy being around Sydnee."

What you can do is work on creating positive associations to help reduce the dog's stress. It will take a lot of time with no built in expectations from the dog to start. It needs to be done under controlled circumstances. In this process Sydnee is also to be under control but IMO all should seem light and relaxed. I suspect in a year or so you MAY be able to allow Sydnee to toss some treats provided sufficient control of the situation. What you can accomplish is to reduce the dog's stress around the baby and have a happier dog. Generally you can't make a safe dog requiring less supervision.

My cattle dog (high drives, imperfect nerves): since my boy reached 12 months he throws the cattle dog a ball while sitting between my legs. The cattle dog holds the downstay until after the throw. I release the dog to retrieve. the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed. The dog is enjoys it and is praised gently. my son finds it tremendously entertaining. For a siberian this won't work. food is the thing.

2. "To be honest, the supervision now for the past week has been really mentally draining on me."

You need an outside kennel as well as a crate. If you are drained it is unsustainable. If it is stressful for you it is also stressful for the dog. To a dog what is a kennel: a safe place, everytime I go there I get fed or a treat. to my dogs, that is a kennel.

3. "Locking the dog up when Sydnee is running around, is an option, Hell if I am going to take the dog out of the situation rather than work the situation why don’t I just put the dog outside in a pen totally ruin the dog by kicking her out of the family pack."

You won't "totally ruin" your dog by kenneling it. A seven or so year old siberian can do fine in a kennel for most of the day. If you feed and play a few minutes in the morning with some training, do exercise with it after work, and then bring it in in the evening after bedtime and during naptimes it will do fine and everyone dog included will have less stress.

Good luck with the videos. read the articles Ed recommends. wisdom is open acceptance of necessary change. I've been there. With my dogs having a baby coincided with a great change in how I related to my dogs: more training time, less "hanging around" time. The dog doesn't need you as much as you think 24/7. rgds andrew may

Thanks Andrew,

I was all most to the point of not asking anymore. All this negative, re home the dog was getting to me.

 Quote:

Thanks Andrew,

I was all most to the point of not asking anymore. All this negative, re home the dog was getting to me.

Looking back over the thread, I see lots of really good advice: articles to read, steps to follow, and videos to study, among other suggestions.

I understand that you are frustrated and worried, but you do understand that all the members here are concerned first and foremost about your baby (as you are too, of course), and want to be very very clear that the dog can't be alone with the baby.

Your right, and I totaly understand. But I have also made the decision that I will atleast try to soothe this before I put the dog down. I owe that to the dog, if I can't get them to very least get along. I don't see how a always been in doors siberian can live out doors in alabama heat and not have a stroke. But then putting the dog outside, leads to heartworms, fleas, ticks, snakebites, digging out, depression and anti solical behavior.

 Quote:

1. "But I can teach the dog to be more tolerating of Sydnee and make her more easy being around Sydnee."

I honestly don't think the dog should have to tolerate a toddler, IMO that is putting a lot of stress on the dog and if your child is like the majority of children who can wrap their little fingers round their parents (including mine with me) because they are so precious then they get away with a lot of little things that all add up to a dog- little tug on tail, ears, a poke here and there that don't physically hurt the dog but does wind them up.
He can still be a part of the 'family pack' sat in his crate chewing on something tasty and watching your little one playing with you and IMO that will start to show him just how important in the pack Sydnee is. Take it real slow and everything should be calm and NOT mentally draining for you or the dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

One last thing toddlers are devils-with the finest upbringing and teaching in the world they still have that selfish little streak in them (as they too aren't fully socialised yet) and will always try and do something sneaky if they think they're not being watched. My 4 year old has been brought up with a variety of animals and has never been allowed to run at pigeons on the ground or kill a spider, but I still wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If it were me I'd of rehomed. I have two nerve bags already and I gave it a good try and got lucky. Maybe you should put a deadline on it like I did and if you don't see the progress you need: rehome. by the by because the wife INSISTS on keeping the damn thermostat cranked up to tropical, my three poor puppers are staying outside by thier own choice. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Hell if I am going to take the dog out of the situation rather than work the situation why don’t I just put the dog outside in a pen totally ruin the dog by kicking her out of the family pack.
This statement makes no sence why would you be harming your dog by kenneling him outside?I know of plenty of people who keep there dogs outside and the dogs are fine.Your dog needs to know where he is in your pack and that is last after you your wife and your child.Do yourself a big favor and just listen to what ed is telling you,just keep it simple for now and follow his advice. Good Luck and please don't ever take your eye of that dog and your daughter even for a split second!

Dennis,
Do you not think the dog may have been freaked out by something the child did near it/ to it? and under control with thorough GW this dog could be saved from rehoming/needle? I'm not trying to be argumentative and rejecting what you say and by all accounts I need and have got an awful lot of help for my dogs from you and others (trying to have a constructive discussion hear to learn more <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The dog was 'allowed' to bully the older dog and was 'allowed' to make contact with the child, if you get my point and I'm not trying to bad name you either Derrick. Doesn't it deserve thorough guidance and teaching?
Or I am out of my depth? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Lisa,
I don't think it matters if the kid did something to upset the dog. She is going to do something else in the future. She is a baby. The dog bites. They have to be kept apart. Maybe the dog can be rehabilitated, I leave that question to the experts.
polly

 Quote:

out of my depth?

I was out of my depth with each new dog I got <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
My son, who was three at the time, got in a fight with Maggie, an 80 Lb GSDxMalamute. Maggie got a hold of one of Brian's toys and was chewing on it. Brian grabbed hold of her upper lip and would not let go screaming "MINE MINE" Poor Maggie is howling in terror and I come flying the room to see what the matter is and I see all this unfolding. Brian has one hand pulling the toy and the other with a death grip on the dog's lip trying to open her mouth. Maggie gives up and goes running howling out of the house. Now when Brian enters any room or space Maggie moves well away and hasnt touch any of Brian's stuff since, of course I got Brian to treat and feed Maggie regularly and help with training whiched calmed her down alot. But I can't help but think but for the grace of God I could of had a dominate dog and it could of been tragic <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />