My dog nipped the baby. How do I keep my baby safe around my dog?

Question

My dog nipped at the baby when we were letting the baby pet her. How should I correct that behavior? My dog would never intentionally hurt the baby, but my dog is still young. I just want to put the safety of the baby first.

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

It sounds like your dog is anxious and uncomfortable around the baby - this is a common problem for many dogs at first. Babies can be very scary to them! By snapping, she is doing her best to defend herself and let you know she is scared. Please do not correct this behavior, as this will only make her more anxious and upset. Instead, listen to what she is telling you and don't allow the baby to approach or bother her. For many dogs, it's best to keep them separated from babies and toddlers using baby gates or other physical barriers until the children are old enough to be gentle and respectful with animals. You can praise her and feed her treats when the baby is nearby to help her associate good things with being around her, but don't allow any direct interaction if your dog is uncomfortable. If you feel that you need more help with this, I would recommend making an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist who can evaluate your dog in person. He/she can help you put together a detailed plan to help your dog become more comfortable around the baby and make sure that everyone stays safe. You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org

My dog nipped the baby. How do I keep my baby safe around my dog?

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