What to do about Tacky? Update with a Plan

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

So he's not a doodle - but my chihuahua Taquito is my first child.  I've had him for 9 years and he's my little love bug.  As most of you know, we have an almost 8 month old human daughter named Charlotte.  Doodle Peri loves her and is excellent and very patient with her. They are buds because Charlotte gives her food :) 

 

Taquito, on the other hand, does snap at her. I am always around.  He likes to sit on my lap when I am on the floor playing with Charlotte (probably not a good idea but I feel bad).  Now that C is getting mobile, she is really obsessing over wanting to pet Taquito. She is very slow and he does have time to prepare for the incoming pet. Sometimes he is okay. Other times he gives a big snap (doesn't bite her just does that little shrill toy dog yip), shows his teeth and runs the other way - away from Charlotte. 

 

Here's what is interesting: my mother kept Taquito and Charlotte this weekend while we were out of town.  Peri went to the spa and daycare, which she loves.  Anyway, mom said that Charlotte pet Tacky multiple times (mom was always around) and that Taquito didn't do a thing. He even smiled.  When mom fed the bottle to her, T. sat right next to them - in the chair!

 

Okay, it's ME, I get that.  Any words of wisdom from my DK friends???  I need some advice.  Not too worried, just curious how I can get him to not be so protective over me?  It was just the two of us for 4 years, then DH came, then Peri then Charlotte. He is just really wanting to be the leader in the pack - but only when I am around it seems. 

 

Don't worry - he's not going anywhere, just want some input!

 

Update:  Found one of Jane, Guinness and Murph's discussions on Nothing in Life is Free:  http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/not...

Going to start implementing these training tools.  It is my fault - everything. I've allowed Tacky to run the show, without even knowing it.  I make Peri sit and wait for her food, but don't make Taquito. That is horrible. He just does what he wants, this little Bast&*()!  So I start today by re-teaching him to sit and wait for things, crating him when he acts out (for anything), etc...

My biggest issue is going to be bedtime.  I talked to DH and he is really concerned about us not letting him sleep in the bed (can you believe it's DH that is concerned?). He thinks it is going to hurt his kidneys and make him sick. He thinks Taquito is sensitive and this is too drastic a change.  Oh goodness, will keep you posted.  I love my DH though - what a great guy to even think this way.  Thanks TO ALL of you for your input.

Oh and I'm getting the corral/gate thingy.

 

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thank you Nancie! Luna sounds so much like Tacky. Very interesting article. Thanks!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Allyson, I have no advice, but offer my support. If anyone can figure this out, it is you. Good luck!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Allyson,

How about giving some sort of command when you and Charlotte are playing on the floor?  Maybe try putting him on a down (down, stay) while you guys play.  That way he will still be close, and included..but not physically guarding you.  Another option I can think of would be to put him on a leash while you guys are playing, and if you see him start to fixate on you or the baby for too long, give a quick tug on the leash, and say "no".  What our trainer taught us was to "put out the fire" before it starts..you dont want to get to the point of him showing his teeth..try to catch him before it happens...I know, its going to be alot, especially with an 8 month old playing on the floor next to you..good luck!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks everyone! Unfortunately tacky is not like a doodle that can stay for long periods of time...he's just not trained that well and I have tried (the chihuahua factor). I am starting with not letting him sleep with us anymore:(. I was trying to keep things completely the same for the dogs now that c is here but that's just not realistic. I am going to call Peri's trainer for advice. That's another start.

[Kyoko]

http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm  Here's a link to "Nothing in Life is Free" that I saved when Jane had that discussion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU1gAI42MH4 also this is a link to my favorite LAT ( Look At That) game..

I think this may be helpful in Tacky associating the baby with Good thoughts...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is only a bandaid until you can some re=training done.  When our granddaughter was little and our dogs were not used to her - especially baby noises - we used a corral - actually bought the extra parts so it was much bigger -  to keep her and them separate. We got into the corral with her or not  as appropriate to the situation.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I need to get one of these regardless....for my sanity :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My kids used these for Evie too.  I adore this especially with the extra panels.  We even used it when we were camping last year and even though she could climb out if she wanted to.  It just kept the 'action' easier to manage.  We now use it as a baby gate to block visiting dogs from carpeted areas of our house.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Do they not sell playpens anymore? I didn't have a reactive dog, and I still needed one for my sanity. You do sometimes have to look away from a baby, lol. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I haven't seen play pens since we became grandparents. They have things called "Pack 'n Play" but they are smaller than play pens and used as portable sleepers. That corral looks handy.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

These are great.  They are sold at ToysRUs and I bought one when Gracie Doodle was a baby.  It breaks down into sections and I used it to barracade areas I didn't want her to go as she got larger.  You can also buy extra panels so you can make it as big as you want.  You can open it up into one long line and use it as a fence or gate to another area (you can divide a room).  My daughter has one around their 54" TV because it is low to the floor and they don't want the human baby to be able to reach it.  And..they come in multi-colors too!  ha ha

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

do you put the baby inside or the dogs inside?