Help before we rehome our dog (over-needy due to new baby)

[Defcon5]

Cant you get plug in things that calm dogs down? I think you get them near bonfire night for the fireworks. May be worth a shout

[cal72]

Try to set regular times for one on one with the dog, stick to these daily and it will help the dog to adjust. Having mixed walking,feeding and attention times can offset behaviour. Be paitent.

[Bing o]

hora said:

We have a fantastic Westie called Bingo.

What a ridiculous name.

[paulmurr]

hora said:

Defcon5 said:

Cant you get plug in things that calm dogs down? I think you get them near bonfire night for the fireworks. May be worth a shout

Oh ffs, I had those but chucked them away yesterday (moved house).

Has the bin been emptied yet? If not I'd be getting them back out and giving them a try.

[si2085]

As previous poster said dogs need routine, so I would think that moving house will have unsettled him also.

It therefore may not be just related to the birth of your child; hopefully as he settles into the new house things will improve.

[Dan_1981]

There a forum for this sort of thing don't you know!

Tsk.

[paulmurr]

Bummer

[Arese]

paulmurr said:

Bummer

I don't think that will help.

[paulmurr]

[PaulG40]

Possible that he is trying to re-assert his status in the new household and since your new arrival. I.E. Alpha status. Routine and show him that baby is above him in the alpha chain. You could contact a behavioural animal trainer to help. My Sister recently contacted a dog whisperer for her unruly dalmation bh, worked wondered, totally different dog.

[Kiltie]

PaulG40 said:

Possible that he is trying to re-assert his status in the new household and since your new arrival. I.E. Alpha status. Routine and show him that baby is above him in the alpha chain. You could contact a behavioural animal trainer to help. My Sister recently contacted a dog whisperer for her unruly dalmation bh, worked wondered, totally different dog.

Pretty much exactly what I was going to suggest with respect to the pack position and possibly contacting a behavioural specialist ... but Paul put it more clearly and concisely than I probably would have.

Good luck and let us know how things pan out.

Cheers,

Eric

[Soovy]

Dogs and babies don't mix.

Sorry.

[ali_kat]

Soovy said:

Dogs and babies don't mix.

Sorry.

WTF?

Of course they do, it just takes patience, time and effort.

[Kiltie]

Soovy said:

Dogs and babies don't mix.

Sorry.

... and what personal experience are you basing this statement on?

Cheers,

Eric

[mrmaggit]

When I was a baby, our black spaniel Bess used to guard my pram, according to my mum. Wouldn't let anybody apart from mum, dad and my granny anywhere near it.

Got some comments from people out shopping apparently about leaving a baby with a "vicious dog", but she was soft as grease with me.

[thinfourth2]

Kiltie said:

Soovy said:

Dogs and babies don't mix.

Sorry.

... and what personal experience are you basing this statement on?

Cheers,

Eric

Reading the daily mail?

[Meoricin]

Soovy said:

Dogs and babies don't mix.

Sorry.

My parents rescued a puppy when I was a baby, we grew up together until he died at 14. No issues whatsoever, I used to ride him around the garden when I was small. He didn't form the same level of attachment to my younger brother, but no issues there either. He was very protective of us when around strangers though (not aggressive-protective, but would watch them intently), until we got older.

[jimbouk]

I can relate to the OP's situation, I've two children 3 and under and a 4 year old westie. It helped no end giving him a distinct routine, we make time to give him undivided attention for 10 or so minutes after we have had our evening meal. Took a while for it to have an impact, he has now become accustomed to less attention during the daytime when the girls are around!
He is an integral part of the family, the girls and all their friends adore him, but they know he is a dog and not a toy!

Also taking him for a walk after a manic day takes some beating.....

Hang in there!

[bexVN]

I remember you asking for advice when you first brought baby home.

It is very likely I suggested a DAP diffuser (or dap collar) and Zylkene did you try these.

I also agree re routine. Is your wife walking him daily?

[BlackVanGirl]

Has he been castrated yet?

Try and find a bit of time every day for working with (eg training) him - learning new skills, finding toys, teach him the names of everybody in the family.