I don't know how to handle the dog

I'm really beginning to hate the dog. I come home first with DS and the dog (an 80 lb lab) is all over us. My pants are drenched with drool before I even get my bag down. As soon as I put DS down, the dog is all over him. DS is drenched in drool and being pushed around. Most of the times he laughs, but sometimes it bothers him. I find myself constantly yelling at the dog. All I do for the first hour I'm home is yell at the dog. All DS hears is me yelling at the dog. The dog is just a big mush and would not hurt DS, but he will not get off of him. THen when I yell he starts the barking....oh, crap how I HATE the barking that never ends!!! Not to mention the hair level in the house and how DS can't crawl around without being covered and get hair in his mouth and all over his sippy.

OK, the hair is just something I have to live with. But how the he ll to I dealw ith an over affectionate dog so that I don't have to yell and DS doesn't have to hear and it get a drool bath?

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

Our dog is only 25 pounds - so easier to deal with, but DS#1's first word was our dog's name, since I was always telling him to stop licking!

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

We are dealing with the same issue! I feel bad for the dog since we had her first! She was our baby for 7 years until the twins came along! I don't see myself letting the babies crawl around on the floor. I have a large play pen for that! They would be covered with hair and crap from the street from the dog's paws! BTW, she is a 90 lb mutt! Very good with the twins but I do get nervous some times!

Good Luck!

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

I don't really know what you can do. I have a 8lb dog so there is really no comparison. When we get home she is so excited to see Jack that I put him on the floor and she gives him kisses. If she's bothering him and he's not in the mood I distract her right away by giving her a treat. Then I take her out so she can go to the bathroom. By the time we get back in she's back to normal.

The hair would drive me crazy - sorry - I have no advice for that.

I am so lucky that Abby loves Jack the way she does - and she is soooooo amazing with him so I can't complain at all. I know what it was like to have a dog who didn't like him so it just makes me appreciate her much more!

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

I feel your Pain, I have a 100lb furry mushball, that is all over us when we get home. He does chill out though and no barking, but I knew the hair etc.. would be an issue before baby even came. Maybe try and obedience class, let him learn some commands, you will prob. be much happier. Labs are exhuberant, but training could help.

GL

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

I have a 70 lb lab mix and so far she is great with Megan, only Megan doesn't do much now - so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for when she starts moving around more.

Maybe get a trainer? I know one or 2 that are based in nassau. FM me (I won't be around much today)

The hair is a problem and the barking - our dog barks at fireworks and all our neighbors are big fireworks people - its awful in the summer and now with Megan, I don't know what we are going to do...

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

there are times I feel the same way, but now the girls are loving him and can't stop petting and feeding him. You have to remember their was a time it was him and you and now he is second fiddle. It is hard to make that transition for him. My issue is now the dog hair, I hate when the seasons change and he loses his coat.

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

i hear you on the hair issue! I have 2 dogs a 70lb lab mix and a 80lb stafforshire bull terrier. if i dont vacuum 2xs a day it looks like i have tumbleweeds blowing around the house!!!

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

I have a 75 lbs. Boxer and before I had DS that was a big problem with him. He would come charging at me, jumping licking, going crazy, slobbering all over me and leaving my work clothes with dog hair ALL over it...and basically giving me a heart attack the moment I walked in the door. Before I even got pregnant, we began teaching him how to greet us like a civilized dog LOL...when we walked in the house we would tell him to calm down and we would not pay attention to him until he calmed down. THEN we would rub him up and kiss him up. Eventually he learned but it did take a while.

I know exactly how you feel, I was there, and still sort of am. I have the hair and the saliva all over my house, BUT I love our dog...we took him into our family and vowed to take care of him until he takes his last breath. He can be annoying as H E L L sometimes but I learned to look past all the annoyances and I learned to be more patient and loving with him. Having a child is rough at times, and dogs do add to the responsiblity and the hectiness. But you can handle it...all you need is a little patience and discipline with the dog.

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

We have 2 big labs. We just put them through a training program called sit means sit. It has helped tremendously. After the first session, I had 2 new dogs that actually listened and didn't charge out of the house when I opened the front door. And if they do get out, I can get them back in, without running around after them in the neighborhood. FM me if you want more details. I do not know if there is a trainer on long island for this program, but visit their website - sitmeanssit.com

Re: I don't know how to handle the dog

Posted by MST9106

I have a 75 lbs. Boxer and before I had DS that was a big problem with him. He would come charging at me, jumping licking, going crazy, slobbering all over me and leaving my work clothes with dog hair ALL over it...and basically giving me a heart attack the moment I walked in the door. Before I even got pregnant, we began teaching him how to greet us like a civilized dog LOL...when we walked in the house we would tell him to calm down and we would not pay attention to him until he calmed down. THEN we would rub him up and kiss him up. Eventually he learned but it did take a while.

I know exactly how you feel, I was there, and still sort of am. I have the hair and the saliva all over my house, BUT I love our dog...we took him into our family and vowed to take care of him until he takes his last breath. He can be annoying as H E L L sometimes but I learned to look past all the annoyances and I learned to be more patient and loving with him. Having a child is rough at times, and dogs do add to the responsiblity and the hectiness. But you can handle it...all you need is a little patience and discipline with the dog.

Message edited 5/14/2008 12:25:31 PM.