Congratulations on your coming addition to the family!
I would say listen to that little itch at the base of your spine (I think that's roughly the same thing as a "gut feeling" lol). It's not paranoia, it's you knowing your dogs better than anybody and placing safety above all else. I agree, it's not necessary for the dogs to be able to socialize with the babies or young children in your family. Sure, it may be a little bit inconvenient to manage the separation, but it's well worth it for everyone's peace of mind.
I have had dogs in the past that had to be managed this way, could not be allowed to socialize with certain visitors.
When my first grand child came along one of the dogs I had was a JRT. NOt your average, high drive,never stop JRT but seriously nucking futs. He would react to most anything. I sat him on my lap with a short leash tied to a railing. He COULD NOT reach the baby in any way what so ever. The grand baby was on my lap in the other arm.
I knew this dog couldn't handle physical corrections so I just gave a "no" command when he showed any interest that I didn't like. When he just sniffed a bit I praised and rewarded. I didn't know I was basically doing marker training at that time.
It took a couple of sessions but soon he was wagging his tail when I hooked him to the railing and sat down with the grand baby.
The biggest problem is when the kids start crawling around on the floor (dog's space). I went through the same procedure and it the tail wagging started with the first session.
As the gkids came along and got a bit older I had them give the dog treats for sits and good behavior. I never saw any aggression towards the kids after all this but because the dog was a bubble shy of a good level I never totally trusted him.
This dog was never allowed alone with the kids even though he looked at them as treat dispensers.
The oldest gkid(baby that I worked with the JRT) is now 14 and has two well mannered Chi dogs of her own. I have no idea how I went wrong with that though. Bass plugs with feet!
tracey holden Webboard User Reg: 07-17-2010
Posts: 1442
Loc: UK
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If I tethered Kaiser to, well, anything, one jerk and the it would be dragged across the room with him! There was a scene in a film, I think it was Turner and Hooch, where the dog was tied to a big old iron radiator, saw the bad guy out of the window and tore the thing out of the wall, we always look at each other and then at the snoring giant and just know how that could happen!
He isn't naturally aggressive, bless his tiny brain, just a gigantic and clumsy lump!
Seriously though, I do hear what you are saying though Bob, as the rugrat gets older, I'm thinking maybe Jamie comes over with him in his pushchair, and we could take the two big dogs for a steady road walk so they get used to the whole 'what the hell IS it?' thing, as I said earlier, the Pointers will probably be curious but they are pretty sturdy temperament wise, I just want to avoid any possible negative situations with the other two.
I do agree with getting a blanket the baby has used and not washed. You can use this in the dog's crate or where ever it lays in the house. That can connect a certain comfort level to the scent of the child.
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