Re: My Jacks and my new baby

In Reply to: My Jacks and my new baby
Posted by:  Emily Garner
Posted on:  March 28, 2001 at 17:48:41

: I love my JRT's dearly! We have one male and one female. The male is having a terrible time adjusting to our now 4 month old son. He (the dog) has always demanded more attention from us than the female, he has been obedience trained, we followed all of your advice about preparing the dog for the child. We have tried putting the dogs outside, but the male barks and goes crazy as soon as I am out of sight. Now that the baby is reaching and grasping, the male dog has started to growl at him! I never leave the baby and the dogs togethter unattended, I do not let the baby "have his way" with the dogs. Please give me some advice. I really do not want to give up my dogs. (Dogs ages are 2 1/2 Male and 1 1/2 Female).

------------------ Response Area -------------------

Hi, Emily,

I guess I'm a little confused here. You say that you don't let the baby "have his way" with the dog, yet you mention that he reaches and grasps and the dog growls at him.

Sadly, this situation is one we see all too often. Jack Russells just plain are not recommended for homes with small children and this is why. Giving up your dogs really shouldn't be an option, just as giving up your child shouldn't be an option. You should find a way to keep the animals separated safely from the baby and perhaps seek the advice of a trainer to assist them all in coming to a healthy coexistance while giving the baby AND the dogs the quality time they all need. Obviously your dogs are confused by the newcomer in the family, and where they were both probably a big focus in your life, they are now not as important. I hope you will find a way to work through this. It's so sad that you would consider the dogs expendable. Safety is of the utmost importance for the child, I know, but I'd really like to see the dogs seen as important, too. You need to keep them away from small, grasping hands.