Kirby and Alex

[Lynne Madnick]

Hello all,
It has been forever since I have been on the boards ... Alex is quite a handful and doesn't sleep well so I haven't had much time for fun. Things are settling down now that she's 9 months old and sleeping through the night but now we have Kirby problems.

The "Kirby's great with kids" turns out to only apply to older (non-crawling) kids. He has been aggressive with her and nipped once (on DH's watch, not mine!). We are dealing with that but I am wondering what you folks thing about this: she clearly makes him nervous, he gives calming signals all over the place, but he will also come directly to where she is on the floor even if he has to get up from his comfy bed to do it, and then give lots of anxious signals. When we are on the floor with her he will often come between us and her, but even if we are not right by her he will go over to be right by her. What is with that? If he stays in his bed - he has a bed/blanket in every room - she doesn't come near him (or rather, we are better able to keep her away from him).

Thanks!

[Alberta Hanko]

Hi Lynne - I think of you guys often. I can't believe that Alex is already 9 months, how time is flying. What a busy life you have. Kirby would definitely be sensitive to things being different, and I can understand she would make him nervous. He needs to realize that the best things happen when Alex is around, and of course you are there so he needn't worry.

he will also come directly to where she is on the floor even if he has to get up from his comfy bed to do it, and then give lots of anxious signals. When we are on the floor with her he will often come between us and her, but even if we are not right by her he will go over to be right by her.

I think he is nervous enough around her that he feels he needs to be close--even though that makes him uncomfortable--to keep an eye on her. and of course when you guys are with her I can see he would get between. It could be a combination of resource guarding (you are his in his mind) and attention seeking.

Linus is not nervous around my grandchildren, although other kids make him very nervous, but will do the getting between us stuff--he is an attention seeker, so I keep a mat nearby and send him there. Then I toss hotdogs and play with the kids.

Since Kirby has a mat in each room, try sending him to it when you are holding Alex, even feeding her, and toss some special treat--easily eatable--while you are interacting with her. Keep him somewhat close in the beginning and move the mat a little farther as you progress. Each time he gets between you, say in a cheerful voice "let's go" or "go to your mat" lead him there and hand out the treat. I remember he can resource guard items, so if you wanted to occupy him with something really fun and tasty like a frozen stuffed Kong, or his buster cube, I would put a gate up, even a section of ex-pen to give him space, you peace of mind and Alex crawling room. I like the ex-pens, especially for a dog Kirby's size, because he can be as close as you want, without feeling isolated--as long as he wouldn't barge right through. If so, I would use chairs to work it, or fold it around itself, keeping him nearby. And keep Alex from crawling towards the gate. Then when he can come out, work a trade with him, using an even better treat. You will be giving Kirby attention when Alex is awake, and not so much when she is sleeping so he can get the idea that the best things happen when Alex is around.

If you think tossing food even to his mat will be a problem when she is on the floor, then put his gate section between them with his mat there and toss the food. And then just have his mat, no pen or gating, by you when you are feeding her, holding her, and changing her and you can toss the treats then while knowing she is completely safe.

Can you consult with a positive trainer or behaviorist where you are to maybe give you a couple of pointers to help you wok with Kirby and Alex?

[Lynne Madnick]

Thanks Alberta. You explained a lot! Funny thing is we just ordered an ex-pen so in a few weeks we'll have it.

Another shout out for the protocol - today i had kirby on his mat and was treating him while alex was on the floor but then i had to do something totally behind his back and he didn't move - there is no way he would have stayed still like that had we not done so much work previously.

There is no real worry tossing food to kirby when alex is on the floor, he scarfs food down so fat she'd never even know there was any there. I will look for a trainer here but that doesn't seem to be something people worry about much here.

I'll report back on how things go!

[Alberta Hanko]

Another shout out for the protocol - today i had kirby on his mat and was treating him while alex was on the floor but then i had to do something totally behind his back and he didn't move - there is no way he would have stayed still like that had we not done so much work previously.


WTG Lynne and Kirby :clap:, it's all of your good work with the protocol!

I love the protocol, it's been great for Linus, who is now working it in my front yard, and Bella, who is still in the house, but less like a yoyo when we are practicing.

Once again--if anyone would like a copy of this--it's in excel format--pm me with your e-mail addy and I'll send it right out.

[Lynne Madnick]

Because we can't stop adding to Kirby's stress :-(, I'm going back to work part time and we have a nanny coming in (there really aren't daycare centers here since it is a tiny island and the grandparents always watch the kids). I think I will have her do the protocol with him too.

Had more but Alex is crying ....