Tibbs Bit the baby :(

[greyacresmom]

It is not always a behavioral issue. You can get a full blown blood work up first. He could be having a issue with T4 or something. I would start there.

[Valenie]

Thanks guys for all the advise and support!!! I did find a school for dogs in corbin KY its about an hour and 1/2 away so I'm calling them Monday.To see what they say or if I can get Tibbs into some classes. Harry's mom it could have been that the baby did have a milk sippy cup before he fell asleep.

[Teresa Ford]

Nothing in Life is Free Nothing in life is Free

Until your dog is retrained No Sleeping With People.
I agree your dog may be guarding / claiming his sleeping place.

[Britster]

First would definitely rule out medical issues.

Second, how much exercise is he getting?

Third, how much, if any, training has he had before baby?

It sounds like he was maybe over-stimulated (playing ball, etc), got on the couch, maybe didn't expect the baby to be there, and bit. Definitely could be jealously, or resource guarding, or over-stimulation, etc.

If you can, I would begin associating everything with the baby as positive. Baby cries = Tibbs gets a treat. You pick up baby = treat. Take baby for a walk in the stroller and have Tibbs walk beside. Everything that baby does needs to = good things in Tibb's mind.

I know how easy it is with a new baby to put the dog aside for a bit, it happens... but sometimes people don't realize just how much the dog is being "ignored" (compared to what he was used to) and how big of a change it is for a dog. It takes a lot of adjustment. You are right - your dog should not be biting your baby. I do agree that I would implement the NILF program.

I do believe exercise could be a big help in this in general, so I am curious how much he gets. Like TRUE exercise -- not just running around the house, etc. Give him a job to do - maybe even get him a little doggy backpack to wear with something very light on your walks - give him a job to do, to feel needed/wanted. Teach him to fetch you a diaper for the baby so he feels like he is helping.

Check out some of these sites, too:
Dogs and Babies…Learning to Live Happily Ever After

And a good article:
Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Get “Magnetized” to Dogs Dogs and Babies…Learning to Live Happily Ever After

[Bitsy]

FYI, her baby is a three year old. Very cute, but not really a baby anymore. (I know we moms see all of our kids as our babies, but just thought it might help people giving advice if they knew your sons age. I know you put this at the end of your first post, but I think some might have missed it.)

Originally Posted by Britster

First would definitely rule out medical issues.

Second, how much exercise is he getting?

Third, how much, if any, training has he had before baby?

It sounds like he was maybe over-stimulated (playing ball, etc), got on the couch, maybe didn't expect the baby to be there, and bit. Definitely could be jealously, or resource guarding, or over-stimulation, etc.

If you can, I would begin associating everything with the baby as positive. Baby cries = Tibbs gets a treat. You pick up baby = treat. Take baby for a walk in the stroller and have Tibbs walk beside. Everything that baby does needs to = good things in Tibb's mind.

I know how easy it is with a new baby to put the dog aside for a bit, it happens... but sometimes people don't realize just how much the dog is being "ignored" (compared to what he was used to) and how big of a change it is for a dog. It takes a lot of adjustment. You are right - your dog should not be biting your baby. I do agree that I would implement the NILF program.

I do believe exercise could be a big help in this in general, so I am curious how much he gets. Like TRUE exercise -- not just running around the house, etc. Give him a job to do - maybe even get him a little doggy backpack to wear with something very light on your walks - give him a job to do, to feel needed/wanted. Teach him to fetch you a diaper for the baby so he feels like he is helping.

Check out some of these sites, too:
Dogs and Babies…Learning to Live Happily Ever After

And a good article:
Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Get “Magnetized” to Dogs Dogs and Babies…Learning to Live Happily Ever After

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Bitsy

FYI, her baby is a three year old. Very cute, but not really a baby anymore. (I know we moms see all of our kids as our babies, but just thought it might help people giving advice if they knew your sons age. I know you put this at the end of your first post, but I think some might have missed it.)

Oh, definitely good to know! I missed that the baby was 3 as well.

[impish]

I agree with all of the people suggesting a trainer.

Sounds to me that there's a lot going on in the home. Toddler. Dog. Another new dog.

Lots of change and if the Tibbers doesn't feel like his pack leader is in control, he'll attempt to help you and take the control for you. Dogs are like that.

Good luck. You can do it. It will just take some work.

[Valenie]

Thanks again for all the advice. I saw a lot of questions about exercise I do walk Bella and Tibbs everyday about a mile each sometimes Adam goes and rides his trike sometimes he stay's at home with his daddy. We brought Tibbs home after we had Adam My baby is 3 years old. Also Bella is the newest to our family but not that new we got her in August. I'm gonna call Corbin today and see if they can help! Ill keep you guys updated. Also I seen some questions about him being crated... or caged... he is only crated at night time about 10 pm and I get up at 2 to let him and Bella go potty then I get up at 4 to let them out for good. They are allowed everywhere except our bedroom. And are never crated unless they do something really bad. They are put in the x-pen when I have to go out for their safety.

[Valenie]

Ohh yeah the only training I've had to do so far is potty training and leash walking and stopping Tibbers from humping things. He has never been a ill tempered dog so I've never felt the need to train him for that. He does know how to sit , stay and fetch.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by YorkiePoo1988

People, a yorkie is not a "baby" it is a DOG.Your dog is just an ANIMAL. Give your dog away if you have a child and you cannot trust your dog being around your actual baby. Any dog can act out of character at any given time no matter how much training the dog could have recieved.

Dog has been man's best friend for millions of years. It's domesticated, and trainable. This dog is a baby, and is trainable. It hasn't been trained, and a professional can assess (and correct) the situation so that she does not have to give her dog away. Her dog is MEMBER OF HER FAMILY.

[Danirenae]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Dog has been man's best friend for millions of years. It's domesticated, and trainable. This dog is a baby, and is trainable. It hasn't been trained, and a professional can assess (and correct) the situation so that she does not have to give her dog away. Her dog is MEMBER OF HER FAMILY.

Couldn't agree more! Glad you said that!

Our dogs are NEVER "just dogs". They are family members and are treated as such.

[heatherm0890]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Dog has been man's best friend for millions of years. It's domesticated, and trainable. This dog is a baby, and is trainable. It hasn't been trained, and a professional can assess (and correct) the situation so that she does not have to give her dog away. Her dog is MEMBER OF HER FAMILY.

Valenie, good luck with the school!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Valenie

Thanks again for all the advice. I saw a lot of questions about exercise I do walk Bella and Tibbs everyday about a mile each sometimes Adam goes and rides his trike sometimes he stay's at home with his daddy. We brought Tibbs home after we had Adam My baby is 3 years old. Also Bella is the newest to our family but not that new we got her in August. I'm gonna call Corbin today and see if they can help! Ill keep you guys updated. Also I seen some questions about him being crated... or caged... he is only crated at night time about 10 pm and I get up at 2 to let him and Bella go potty then I get up at 4 to let them out for good. They are allowed everywhere except our bedroom. And are never crated unless they do something really bad. They are put in the x-pen when I have to go out for their safety.

A crate should not be used as punishment. My dogs will readily run into their crates upon the command "kennel up" because they think something good is coming their way. You mentioned in another post you haven't done much training with Tibbers. I am so optimistic for you that with a guidance from a trainer you will be able to get Tibbers back on track and reinforce his GOOD behaviors. I will look for your updates !!

[Valenie]

I too agree Tibbers is my baby! My love he has the same amount of toys, cloths, and more dr visits than my skin child. He is not just an animal to me.

[Roccosmommy]

Valenie, I'm sorry to hear what you are going through. The good news is that you are catching it early, and that Tibbers is only 8 months old and FULLY trainable to correct his actions. The other glaring point that I noticed is that you mention Tibbs is humping things as well...this is definitely an aggression/dominance sign. I would highly recommend you neuter him asap (assuming he is ready, according to your vet).

I'm glad you are seeking help from a trainer. In the meantime, you really need to make sure Tibbs knows his place by you taking a clear role as the alpha. He needs to 'earn' his priveleges, including his food and a place on the couch. He eats only after you and when you tell him it's ok to do so, etc. Good luck and keep us posted.