motherapple
New member
Not sure how to keep it short and simple but I'm seeking help on how to proceed.
8 year old ACD mix. We got him as a 1 year old rescue. Immediately had issues with socializing and was your typical 100 mph non stop ACD. After a year or so, we started training. 2 failed trainers later and we finally sent him to a board and train around around age 5. He did great and was a whole new dog aside from still not being good around other animals. Than about 1 year after training (age 6), a family member needed to move into our apartment and she brought her 1 year old lab. Small apartment and 2 dogs that can't be together was a bad idea but we made it work with baby gates to separate them. Did the apartment thing for about 6 months before buying a home where we all still live and do the baby gate thing (age 7).
Present day (age 8), we added a baby who is about to turn 1. Our ACD has been showing signs of regression. He's listening less and less. He's more vocal anytime the other dog gets let out to the larger area of the home. It feels like things are getting territorial and we're losing control of the situation. Our ACD has always been strange around the baby. Generally doesn't care too much about him, but will oftentimes run up on him quickly just to lick his face than walk away and come back to do it again a few seconds later. We have always let the ACD sleep in bed with us and some nights the baby joins us and it's fine. No issues.
Fast forward to 10 minutes ago. Wife making a cake in kitchen so it was a little loud with the blender thing going. Baby on floor crawling around. ACD sitting between my legs in kitchen and watching baby carefully. Baby got out of sight of the ACD and ACD tried to go find him. I held him back and told him it was OK that baby was gone. Baby comes back into view. ACD really anxious to run up on baby. ACD slips my grip and runs up on him with teeth. Very slightly nips baby. No blood or cuts. But looks like teeth grazed forehead and skin is red and a little puffed up. Baby cried for a minute and is fine. I lost it a bit and got a little physical with ACD (only 2nd time I've ever done that... not making excuses for it but I think dad instinct kicked in).
So now what?! This is my first dog and my first kid. I'm on the verge of a breakdown bc I just have this gut feeling that I can never trust ACD around baby ever again. But the thought of rehomimg him is killing me.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'll try anything to keep this family intact.
Edit: before anyone asks, he is already on medicine for his temperament (k9 Prozac... Can't remember the name at the moment)
8 year old ACD mix. We got him as a 1 year old rescue. Immediately had issues with socializing and was your typical 100 mph non stop ACD. After a year or so, we started training. 2 failed trainers later and we finally sent him to a board and train around around age 5. He did great and was a whole new dog aside from still not being good around other animals. Than about 1 year after training (age 6), a family member needed to move into our apartment and she brought her 1 year old lab. Small apartment and 2 dogs that can't be together was a bad idea but we made it work with baby gates to separate them. Did the apartment thing for about 6 months before buying a home where we all still live and do the baby gate thing (age 7).
Present day (age 8), we added a baby who is about to turn 1. Our ACD has been showing signs of regression. He's listening less and less. He's more vocal anytime the other dog gets let out to the larger area of the home. It feels like things are getting territorial and we're losing control of the situation. Our ACD has always been strange around the baby. Generally doesn't care too much about him, but will oftentimes run up on him quickly just to lick his face than walk away and come back to do it again a few seconds later. We have always let the ACD sleep in bed with us and some nights the baby joins us and it's fine. No issues.
Fast forward to 10 minutes ago. Wife making a cake in kitchen so it was a little loud with the blender thing going. Baby on floor crawling around. ACD sitting between my legs in kitchen and watching baby carefully. Baby got out of sight of the ACD and ACD tried to go find him. I held him back and told him it was OK that baby was gone. Baby comes back into view. ACD really anxious to run up on baby. ACD slips my grip and runs up on him with teeth. Very slightly nips baby. No blood or cuts. But looks like teeth grazed forehead and skin is red and a little puffed up. Baby cried for a minute and is fine. I lost it a bit and got a little physical with ACD (only 2nd time I've ever done that... not making excuses for it but I think dad instinct kicked in).
So now what?! This is my first dog and my first kid. I'm on the verge of a breakdown bc I just have this gut feeling that I can never trust ACD around baby ever again. But the thought of rehomimg him is killing me.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'll try anything to keep this family intact.
Edit: before anyone asks, he is already on medicine for his temperament (k9 Prozac... Can't remember the name at the moment)