|
|
Post by melonie on May 22, 2011 23:32:31 GMT -5
My granddaughter has been gone the last few days with her father.
So she wasn't here when I brought Rhett home. I thought it would be good, so he could settle in a bit before he met her. Now I'm not so sure about that.
He is so afraid of her, that it isn't even giggle worthy. He hid in my bedroom for most of the evening. I tried sitting close to him, and having my youngest daughter bring in the baby. He did a low growl and tried to get under the bed.
So the baby left the room. Later, I was hanging out watching tv in my room, the baby joined me. I ignored Rhett, and he just sat under my desk. He eventually squeezed himself between my bed and the bedside table. He was within reach of me, so I dropped my hand and petted his head and told him he was a good boy, and sweet talked him a little.
He eventually snuck his nose up to sniff her rear end. I reassured him gently and patted his head, then moved the baby away for awhile.
After that break I moved her back, facing him this time, and he sniffed her fingers, licking them as well. I reassured him again. He let her touch his nose as well. I moved her away so she couldn't reach him again.
Later we went into the living room back to her mom. Rhett followed. and hid in his corner where he could see everyone.
They were sitting on the floor, and Rhett began to get upset and did his growl again. I went out and sat with him, between him and the baby. He did relax, and he just stared at her forever.
I've advised Megan that if she needs to leave the room for anything, either take the baby with her, crate Rhett, or put her in her play yard.
At least until he shows now more signs of fear of her.
I think she confuses him. Not sure if it's human, toy, or what!
I also think having the baby squeal and laugh, the tv going, the kids talking, just is too much stimuli for him. So I made them turn down the tv, the computer, and talk a bit softer.
Not entirely sure how to get him over this fear. I will just keep exposing him to her and rewarding the desired behavior. (he is not treat motivated at this point)
If anyone has any other ideas please share!
|
|
|
|
Post by loverocksalot on May 23, 2011 7:21:50 GMT -5
I am thinking get an x pen so baby can be in same room for desensitizing but you can set it up like blocking half the room with him other side so he can hear, smell baby but not get too close. IDK but yeah this would be stressful for me. Especially since your daughter has not listened to you in the past when it comes to crating the dogs etc. Therefore setting up camera so you can check on them remotely might be a good idea too. Im not sure I would feel comfortable leaving Rhett home with them at this point do you have other options there. Can he just be crated while you are away from home?
|
|
|
|
Post by bluetrees on May 23, 2011 7:52:10 GMT -5
I agree with what CA said. Because your daughter has not crated the dogs in the past, I'd be worried about her remembering to do it now.
Could you crate Rhett when you are gone? If he isn't out when your daughter and baby are home alone, then you know there won't be an issue. Rhett might feel safer being crated during this time too and reduce his anxiety.
|
|
|
|
Post by fureverywhere on May 23, 2011 9:25:34 GMT -5
You definitely need to make sure everyone and anyone knows Rhett and baby can not be alone together for a second. A video recorder isn't going to be a help-<shudder> A video documenting...gawdno.
I would get some step by step advice from a trainer ASAP. Some dogs have fear aggression, sometimes its jealousy too, then compound that with prey drive. Ophie is the most gentle dog with my kids. But the prey drive can pop up if a dog see's something that looks helpless.
If the kids lay on the ground and flail their arms and get shrill in play Ophie has been known to rush at them. They're both old and strong enough to push her off. But a dog showing that behavior with a baby, your granddaughter wouldn't have a chance.
Rhett needs lots of love now too with someone sharing the attention, but you do have to protect that baby. The good news is Rhett and her can eventually grow up together as best buddies... but meanwhile it's going to take alot of time and patience... we'll be thinking of you...
|
|
|
|
Post by suziriot on May 23, 2011 10:40:54 GMT -5
Could you crate Rhett when you are gone? If he isn't out when your daughter and baby are home alone, then you know there won't be an issue. Rhett might feel safer being crated during this time too and reduce his anxiety. I second that. Does he do okay in his crate? In my experience, dogs that have not lived in a home before tend to treat their crate like a safe haven that they can retreat to. |
|
|
|
Post by loverocksalot on May 23, 2011 14:35:44 GMT -5
Oh was not thinking of video for the purpose of saving from incident or recording one for that matter. I was thinking like live streaming which my dad does. He has used it to check up on people caring for his dogs like people do with babysitters. And also to check on them while he is at work. What I mean is she can look and make sure her daughter keeps him crated. If her daughter knows mom is watching she is more likely to comply. But I never thought about the side of preventing nor worse case catching an incident. You sure have a point with that.
|
|
|
|
Post by maryellen on May 23, 2011 16:19:17 GMT -5
keep as gate up so that baby cant crawl to crate too.. give rhett alot of barriers so that he doesnt freak out when crated
|
|
|
|
Post by melonie on May 23, 2011 17:31:26 GMT -5
My youngest (Aryn) is out of school and home until next weekend, so she took care of Rhett today.
He actually doesn't like being crated, but I do have one set up. If he is crated and someone is home he cries and barks.... He will calm down if he can see me though. I'm going to move it to my bedroom and "hide" it for him because I think he will use it since he does try to hide under the bed, behind the sofa, under my desk in his favorite corner etc... whenever the baby is near. I don't want to leave him un-crated if he's home all alone... no idea what he'll do left to his own devices.
When she cries, squeals, giggles etc he gets worried, and hides. This evening he was brave when I was with him and stretched as far as he could to try and sniff her.
I will say that when it comes to the baby my daughter is very protective, and she does realize that this is no laughing matter.
I honestly don't think he would hurt her through out right aggression. He has been scared, and put into new situations and hasn't snapped at anyone yet. But I am taking no chances.
I'm going to work with him and the baby in a little bit, I'm hoping that slow exposure will get him through this.
|
|
|
|
Post by melonie on May 25, 2011 17:35:44 GMT -5
Rhett is still afraid of the baby.
But he's starting to come around. Last night I was babysitting, Rhett wanted to be near me, so he sat about 3 feet away. He slowly krept up next to me in the course of about an hour. He would randomly stretch to sniff the baby. I held the baby closer to him (with her back to him) so he wouldn't have to stretch so far. He went nuts sniffing her. He got spooked and went back to his original spot.
We did this over and over last night. He never growled at her. But he did lick and sniff her. He would lick her feet and she'd giggle and he'd get spooked and go hide.
I feel like there are so many different things that he is afraid of that I don't know where to start! He's afraid of being outside, he doesn't even play much with Winston like he used to.
I will continue to watch him and try to figure out his triggers... Hopefully next week he will at least relax more!
|
|
|
|
Post by catstina on May 26, 2011 5:25:50 GMT -5
Glad to hear there has been some progress. Poor Rhett, it must be so hard to be afraid all the time. If only people knew this side of our 'Big Bad Pit Bulls!'
|
|
|
|
Post by bluetrees on May 26, 2011 7:44:02 GMT -5
Sounds like he is making slow, but steady progress. Keep us up to date. Can you do some extra bonding time with him? It might ease some of his anxiety.
|
|
|
|
Post by tank on May 30, 2011 22:22:54 GMT -5
I don't have any advice to add but I would too like to hear updates as this progresses and what works and what doesn't. Jake is terrified of kids and we will be having one in late Oct. We can do everything we can think of to prepare him as much as we can but when a dog is afraid of something sometimes it really is slow progression no matter what you do. I wish you good luck and hope he overcomes this and stops seeing the baby as a threat.
|
|
|
|
Post by melonie on Jun 1, 2011 0:05:09 GMT -5
I don't have any advice to add but I would too like to hear updates as this progresses and what works and what doesn't. Jake is terrified of kids and we will be having one in late Oct. We can do everything we can think of to prepare him as much as we can but when a dog is afraid of something sometimes it really is slow progression no matter what you do. I wish you good luck and hope he overcomes this and stops seeing the baby as a threat. I would seek out a friend with a baby and ask to borrow a wet diaper and a dirty diaper. I know gross, but... The smell of the diaper really winds Rhett up for some reason. Maybe if Jake is able to catch that scent and accept it as normal, then it won't be a big deal to him later. Same goes w/ baby toys, bouncers, swings etc. They all make such great noise for kids, but scares Rhett. The smaller toys he takes off with and hides...same with bottles and binkies, and her dirty clothes. Rhett is adjusting slowly every day, if I am the one holding the baby he is pretty much ok with it. He has good days and bad days! I think if he knew his obedience commands better it would make a big difference. He's iffy on 'off', stay. No works well but I have to becareful because if said with the wrong tone, it freaks him out and we have to regain the steps we've taken. I'm trying to teach him to not lay on her leg, or corn cob her feet or nibble her ears or nose. He has always nipped my nose when he licks me, so now I'm trying to break that habit all together. It really upsets him if she cries. We have to watch him because if she is crying he will go check things out, try to corncob her feet and lick her face. He's learned now that her laughing and squeals are ok, and he rarely hides or gets upset at these noises anymore. As far as extra bonding time goes.. If I am not sitting at my desk, or holding the baby, Rhett is in my lap. If he's not in my lap, he's under my desk at my feet, near me in the kitchen, or outside the bathroom door. When I let him outside, I hide so he can't see me waiting for business to be done. Otherwise he tries to come inside before he's done anything. He does better if I stand outside with him, but he will still try to get inside if something scares him. |
|
|
|
Post by bluetrees on Jun 1, 2011 8:36:30 GMT -5
Sounds like Rhett is making good progress!
|
|
|
|
Post by emilys on Jun 1, 2011 10:43:48 GMT -5
I don't have any advice to add but I would too like to hear updates as this progresses and what works and what doesn't. Jake is terrified of kids and we will be having one in late Oct. We can do everything we can think of to prepare him as much as we can but when a dog is afraid of something sometimes it really is slow progression no matter what you do. I wish you good luck and hope he overcomes this and stops seeing the baby as a threat. you know about this? www.dogsandstorks.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by tank on Jun 2, 2011 21:46:09 GMT -5
one of my best friends actually works for a trainer that does dogs and storks and I will probably attend a class soon, thanks for the link.
I am glad rhett is doing good. I honestly have no friends locally who have young kids that I could borrow stuff from. I think smells will be okay its mostly movement he is afraid of and maybe sounds but he seems to do okay with that. One thing we have done is block off the bedroom from now on because that is where the baby will sleep and right now when he is scared it is Jakes safe spot. I need for him to establish a new safe spot before the baby arrives. Now that it is blocked off he just does circles and paces in front of the gate. i don't want to take over your thread but any ideas on sort of forcing him to establish his own new safe spot that he can go to if he feels scared?
|
|
|
|
Post by melonie on Jun 3, 2011 0:06:00 GMT -5
Rhett has two safe spots now. One is behind the sofa, (his favorite) and his crate. He is not fond of his crate though. I've tried to make it a sort of den, I have it covered up, but I have peek-able areas for him.
You might try setting a crate up outside your bedroom door and turning it into a 'den'. Maybe put one of your old t shirts in there and a favorite toy or something.
|
|
I look forward to learning much here