When dogs get sick, they tend to react to stressful situations more quickly, without the familiar progression of warning signs. If Fido isn’t feeling well, you’ll have to be more proactive in your supervision to make sure everyone stays safe.
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Many of you have heard me talk about my beloved dog Bailey, a West Highland White Terrier. She had all of the great characteristics of the breed, without any of the over-the-top terrier traits that Westies can have. Bailey and I had been together for 8 years before I had my daughter, Amelia, and I spent many months preparing her for the new addition so that we could focus on having a safe, happy family instead of dealing with undesirable behavior. And, I’m proud to say, Bailey accepted the presence of the new baby with remarkable calm.
But not too long after Amelia was born, Bailey was diagnosed with cancer, and I was faced not only with the loss of my dearest companion, but also with a new set of rapidly-changing behaviors to manage.
When it comes to dogs and kids, you should always remember that dog bites can happen, and happen fast. Management and supervision are key no matter the age, health, or disposition of your dog. As Bailey’s cancer progressed, I had to be hyper-aware of how she was feeling and reacting at any moment, because as the disease and the treatments started taking their toll, she stopped making good decisions and started reacting.
Towards the end of Bailey’s life, I noticed that she became much more anxious and unwilling/unable to walk away when she was feeling threatened by my mobile and vocal toddler. When dogs are sick or in pain (and it doesn’t have to be as drastic as cancer, it could be a sore tooth or a strained muscle), they tend to react more quickly, without the familiar progression of warning signs. And that is exactly what was happening with Bailey and Amelia.
So we practiced what is called Proactive Supervision, which includes planning and preparing for safe separation. When Bailey was feeling especially bad after chemotherapy, we put her in her crate with something to chew on. When she was in a better mood, we separated her from Amelia with a gate across the room. Bailey was always in proximity to the family and our activities, but we never put her into a situation where she might feel threatened by, and possibly overreact to, the normal behavior of a toddler.
It’s very important for children to learn how to act around dogs at a young age; they need to understand that dogs are not toys and cannot be grabbed, pulled, or climbed on. They also need to understand that not all dogs are friendly, and that their neighbor’s dog might not love new people, so they shouldn’t go up and hug the dog at the next block party. Dog etiquette is very important.
I am part of an organization called Family Paws, which works with families to prepare their dogs for babies and toddlers. If you’re expecting a new baby, or if you see that your dog is starting to have negative reactions around your children, I urge you to contact an organization like Family Paws or hire a qualified trainer to help you set up your home in a way that can keep everyone safe.