Babies & Rotties - Page 2

Thanks for the advise! I do not need any negative comments about Rotties on this thread, as my friends mom & hubby are already convinced that the dog will eat the baby. We're trying to save this dogs life. He's a good boy that has served his mistress well: he deserves a chance. And his owner is an intelligent women, she's going to take precautions, for crying out loud! She knows very well that dogs & babies do not exist on the same plane, & would never allow unsupervised interaction. She just like her good dog to be given a chance.
So if you have a happy story or picture, please contribute! If you feel the need to post dire warnings, start another thread! Thanks! jackie harris
T
Er 

I speak as someone who has actually been bitten by a Rottie; fortunately I was wearing a
padded coat and she wasn't too serious about it, so I was only bruised.  But I would never
condemn the whole breed out-of-hand;  I have also known and handled some incredibly
nice members of the breed - and I've been bitten by other dogs, so I refuse to be breed-
specific about any incidents - as people have said, it is down to the people and how they
treat their dogs as much as its a temperament issue.  But surely it is only common sense
not to leave children and any dogs together unsupervised, in case an incident occurs, IMO.

I've known many rotts who were excellent family dogs, great with children.  I say this even though the only dog I've ever truly been bitten by was a rott (young adult unneutered, untrained, unsocialized, bad tempered male owned by an alcoholic, dog broke off his chain and wandered into our yard when I was 11 yrs old.)  

I've seen many dogs who were normally hyper, exuberant dogs become very calm and gentle when around very young children.  It's possible that this woman's rott may do the same.  

I agree that the owner should probably take some obedience classes with her dog (even if it's a refresher course) and perhaps get a treadmill in the house to help work off her dogs excess energy.   
There are good books out there about raising children and dogs together with all kinds of helpful advice.  

I am not going to be negative, at least I don't believe I am being negative but rather practical.

Perhaps your friend should start looking for an excellent home for this Rottie and do what might be in the best interest for her beloved dog, rather than try to fight an up hill battle.   If this is a first baby then your friend truly has no concept of just how exhausted and at times overwhelmed she is going to feel as a first time mother.   Right now she may be making all the plans, thinking all the routine in the world but babies are notorious for debunking all of that, especially first time babies!

If this is an energetic, playful dog it may not be in the dog's best interest to have to take a second seat to the needs of the baby.  Your friend is going to be exhausted, which means less time to play with the dog and properly wear the dog out and if the husband (and father of the baby) is not on board with the idea of the dog being right there with them, the dog could end up shuffled off to a crate or a backyard and/or your friend is going to be dealing with added stress of trying to meet all the new demands on her and also keeping up with her dog.

I do agree with a lot of the posters, that a lot of big dogs do soften around children and of course who doesn't want to believe that could happen here but if it doesn't then what is her realistic plan for the dog?

What?! He already has an excellent home! This is her first baby, she has a husband and ONE dog? Why on Earth should the dog find a new home?

Jackie, you want a story, here's my story. I managed JUST FINE, out in the middle of nowhere, by myself, with a roster of  6 dogs (none of them "easy" except my Pit), 3 horses,  and a baby who was born 2 mos. preterm. I had many curious "What are you going to do with the dogs?" and most especially "What are you going to do about Caleb?" from concerned onlookers who said that dog was never going to let me pay so much attention to a baby, he was too possessive, too dominant, blah blah blah. You can imagine how well those chats went. 

My son was about a month old when he came home, and approx. 5 lbs at that point...smaller than my Chihuahua. Here's how that intro went: 

Jenni I beg to differ.   If the husband doesn't get on board and support his wife keeping the dog, which at this time he doesn't, then the dog does not have an excellent home.

While I think there is some sense in what RLHAR sez, and you should maybe have a
Plan B in mind for if it doesn't work out, initially I think that it would be worth
using the advice given by  GSDNewbie.  Although I've never had to do this myself,
I have several times heard or read of several people taking this sort of action in advance
of a birth.  They say they have been successful in getting their dogs used to the idea;
and have not had problems of the dogs being too heavy-pawed around the child, or
appearing jealous of it, etc.  For those who like his style, Cesar Milan has shown these
methods in his TV series also.  So worth a try, I would think, whatever the breed, to
use a doll, taped noises, set rooms and equipment up as though the baby were already there, in advance, and see how things go ? (Can only save time after the birth to be that pre-organised, anyway !)   Also refreshing the dogs Obedience training, and getting the dog used to a difference in its timetable of when and how it gets attention;  but not forgetting the dogs' needs for regularity and exercise etc.

Who needs a husband?

Like Jenni said the dog already has a good home, I am not one who believes in rehoming a dog because a child is going to be coming into the picture, there are obviously exceptions to that, such as major temperament problems etc.

I have had five Rotti's in the past and all but one were fantastic with children, the one who wasn't, was not good around anybody as he had major aggression issues.

Instead of rehoming this dog who has been very loyal to his owner in dealing with her previous husband, why not step up to the plate and get the dog back into obedience training now before the baby comes. The jumping up issue sounds like the dog needs some manners taught, it has built up energy, and judging by the weight of 145lbs, I would say this dog is probably very under exercised.  Whether through physical or mental exercise, a tired Rotti is a very good Rotti.

They should come up with a plan now for after the baby is born where the husband steps up and sticks to a regiment of daily exercise and stimulation for this dog, the mother is going to have her hands full when the baby comes, time for the husband to do his part and take care of the dogs needs.

No dog, no matter what the breed should ever be left with a child unsupervised.

  Jenni