Is it the baby?

[Jen]

So since we’ve brought Rory home there have been a few changes with Stanley.

His stealing has gotten worse and he’s got a LOT more barky.

The biggest change though has happened a couple of times.

Stanley is the most placid dog ever, if another dog goes for him he just runs away. But a few days after we brought Rory home next door had a new dog in their garden and it barked aggressively at Stanley. Normally he would have ignored it but he charged at the fence barking back just as aggressively.

Today we’ve been at my mams and her next door neighbours dog did the same, barked aggressively at the fence. Well Stanley absolutely flew to the fence going mental (absolutely putting the dog in it’s place) but it’s a side of Stanley I’ve never seen before.

Is he being protective of the baby? Or is he just growing up and sticking up for himself a bit more?

He’s been completely fine with all dogs on his walks and always wants to play. He’s fine with the dogs through the fence if they’re just sniffing or curious as well, it’s only if they bark at him first.

Any thoughts? And should I do anything about it?

 

[HAH]

Isn’t that fascinating? I know I’d be very tempted to think if it as increased protectiveness of a new youngster in the pack; but I guess it could also be new things/disrupted familiar routines making him a little less secure and a little more reactive? This might tie in with the increased stealing and barking too.

I suspect wiser heads would say it doesn’t matter so much identifying the cause, just addressing the behaviour if you want to. I’m guessing this would be increasing confidence games, a bit more reinforcement of desired behaviour (quiet?) with praise & treats, and calming management before/during the provocation like scatter feeding. Interested to hear advice from others

 

[Jacqui-S]

So hard this one.
Your family and its dynamics have changed.
Stealing could in part be attention seeking perhaps?
Not sure about the barking, yes it could be a protective thing, but I know Lilly got more barky and perimeter protective as she got older.
I agree with Harriet. You could overthink this. Dealing with it in a positive way is more important

 

[Lara_Pigletina]

I don’t have anything useful to say apart from I have seen similar with the Pig since the Pip arrived. She is much more barky, whiny and steals stuff constantly and is generally much more of a pain in the ass. However for us I don’t think it is to do with the baby per se but that she gets less attention and less exercise now. I was always the one who did the big tiring training sessions with her and gundog stuff, whereas OH does lead walks. Since the baby she has more daddy walks and it’s got even worse now we have moved as it’s just me by myself a lot of the time and she doesn’t even have a garden to snuffle about in at the moment. She has become a lot more reactive to people coming into the house like the plumber etc and I think it’s just she has more pent up frustration and energy and it is coming out negatively when something triggers it. I think more stimulation and more exercise would solve a lot of our problems but easier said than done at the moment!

 

[Jen]

However for us I don’t think it is to do with the baby per se but that she gets less attention and less exercise now.

I definitely think this with the stealing and the barking. I spend 90% of my time feeling guilty about how much less attention he gets, I try my best but I’m still not 100% after my csection so I don’t want to play tuggy etc because he’s super strong. And if I have time to play it needs to be something quiet so the baby doesn’t wake up if we’ll have to stop playing anyway.

It was just the reactiveness that really concerned me. Today after the other dog had gone he did a few patrols of the garden then plonked himself firmly between my chair where I was holding Rory and the fence, staring intently incase the dog came back. That’s what made me think he’s being protective but who knows.

I’m going to buy a proper baby carrier tomorrow so we can go out for some nice long walks while I’m off without having to worry about pushchair access.

 

[Emily]

for us I don’t think it is to do with the baby per se but that she gets less attention and less exercise now. I was always the one who did the big tiring training sessions with her and gundog stuff, whereas OH does lead walks.

This.

We had the same thing. I think it's attention seeking and "mum" seeking. We found exactly the same thing and, while Ella's actually activity level didn't decrease, her alone time with me doing fun games/training/walks decreased and she definitely tried to get my attention. I still find that Ella and Nathan compete for couch cuddles and I have to be careful to make sure that they both get their fair share.

Is he being protective of the baby?

I don't know about other dogs but I haven't found this at all with Ella (even though people still try to tell me that she is). Even though Nathan was a little baby, he was still just a little "thing" to her and not me - the person that feeds, walks, trains, cuddles and loves her. I still believe that if we were in danger and Ella was protective (that's a big if - I'm not sure she'd act at all to be honest), she'd be more likely to protect me than Nathan.

 

[Emily]

It was just the reactiveness that really concerned me. Today after the other dog had gone he did a few patrols of the garden then plonked himself firmly between my chair where I was holding Rory and the fence, staring intently incase the dog came back. That’s what made me think he’s being protective but who knows.

I wouldn't worry too much at the moment, it could all be related. Once he's (and you - don't forget you did just have a baby) getting out and about in his (new) normal routine, it will hopefully all settle down

 

[snowbunny]

I think it is very unlikely to be protectiveness. There is very little evidence to suggest that is a real thing with dogs. It is far more likely that he is unsettled and stressed because of the upset in his family dynamic that he doesn’t yet understand.

 

[Jen]

My poor angel

He’s such a good, easy going lad it’s easy to forget he’s probably confused and a bit stressed.

We definitely need to make more effort with him.

I’m going to start giving him kong a throughout the day rather than just when I go out so he has something o break up his day a bit more. Think I’ll get his dog walker a couple more times a week as well, try and make his life more fun again until the baby becomes a bit less demanding and I have more time. (So never i imagine ).

 

[snowbunny]

Ah, don’t be too hard on yourself, dogs are generally very resilient and as much as his life has been unsettled, so has yours! You will all find your rhythm in due course

 

[snowbunny]

PS still fancy a chocolate hippo?

 

[Emily]

My poor angel

He’s such a good, easy going lad it’s easy to forget he’s probably confused and a bit stressed.

We definitely need to make more effort with him.

I’m going to start giving him kong a throughout the day rather than just when I go out so he has something o break up his day a bit more. Think I’ll get his dog walker a couple more times a week as well, try and make his life more fun again until the baby becomes a bit less demanding and I have more time. (So never i imagine ).

Please don't beat yourself up. You had one version of life and routine and now you're working your way through the first few weeks of having a newborn so that you can create your new version of life and routine. Stanley will be fine and will fall into your new routine (once you've figured it out of course ).

Once I was over the initial shock/soreness/sleep deprivation, I actually found that Ella's walks increased a lot! Nathan was (and still is) calm and happy when we're out walking so I found (still find) that walking Ella is my break from parenting.

 

[HAH]

All of this @Jen . Don’t forget you made a whole new person, all of you are in a new phase and adjusting - and that’s fine, it’s progress and everybody will adapt. I’d definitely focus on things you’re feeling guilty about and try to mitigate those things - so extra dog walker visits, more treats, anything that makes you feel better in the short term. Because that’s going to make everything run just a bit more comfortably. Also, never forget - you’re fabulous

 

[Lara_Pigletina]

I just realised Rory is a forum dog name too just like Willow! Is he two-leggy Rory?

 

[MrChew]

Jen, please cut yourself some slack! I know I'm actually not very good at that, but you've had a huge change and are recovering from surgery. You'll get there. It probably feels like it will never end. Sleep deprivation does that, but it does get easier.

All your ideas to keep Stanley busy are really good. We are thinking we'll keep the dog walker going when I'm home and OH goes back to work.

 

[Atemas]

I don’t have anything really to add @Jen but just two comments:

Red has become reactive to the dogs who snarl at the fence between our garden and the property behind us. If she hears them, she flies at the fence (I’ve blocked it off with a load of potted plants) and barks furiously (not like her at all). I just go quietly up to her and speak very softly guiding her away by blocking her body with mine so she heads back into the garden. I did lure her with a treat initially but not now. I don’t like this behaviour but feel positive at dealing with it having a plan of management.

Secondly, Rory will get into a routine and you will be able to resume Stanley’s exercise (maybe not quite like before but one that will quickly become the new routine). I had a full on grandchildren day yesterday including the 12 month old baby for part of the day. The dogs got very little of my attention - I felt really guilty and this was just a one off (I hope). Made me think of all forum members with babies and young children and wonder how you fit any exercise in for your dogs.

 

[Boogie]

The dog walker idea is an excellent one.

Give yourself time to get into a routine, and to recover. Then you’ll be able to walk Rory and Stanley together with sling or pram.

It’s very early days.

Tatze flies at the fence when a particular neighbour opens her door, it’s a joke with us now she says ‘Tatze hates me’ (She comes to my coffee mornings and gives Tatze a big fuss but something about the sound of her door gets Tatze wound up every time). I just call Tatze away and give her treats.
.

 

[Selina27]

I've noticed a change in Cassie's "barkiness" lately, even at noises she's heard since puppy days, but in particular if the GSD who has free access around the estate comes sniffing around our garden fence. I just put it down to maturity and Cass feeling a bit more grown up.
I can imagine you do feel a bit guilty re Stanners and attention, I know Cassie notices the difference if I'm distracted from her being my primary focus. But as others have said don't beat yourself up -- not only do you have a new family member but you had major surgery too. He will learn to adapt and in time have all the benefits of life in a busy family. I honestly believe they get a lot out of that in itself. xx

 

[Jen]

Thanks everyone.

He’s such a good lad, he was so happy at my mams yesterday just being involved.

I’m going to make lots of kongs up today and I’m off to get my baby carrier. I can walk him with the pram but it’s not that much fun for him because I can’t play too much or hide or anything like we used to. So hopefully the baby carrier will make it easier and we can go back down the river/to the beach.

 

[kateincornwall]

Please try not to stress or worry over it @Jen . We had a Springer Spaniel when my daughters were very small , and then when I had my son he was very protective almost immediately , would stay by the pram in the garden for ages . Enjoy your walks with the carrier and Stanley , he will be fine honestly he will xx