hi there!
thanks for your kind words.....
I have also tried at the begining to use different words for scolding the baby and for the dog. Now she is quite relaxed when I scold the baby as she knows that it ainīt her thatīs in trouble. It seems to work well. I hate it too when people want to get rid of the dog when the baby comes. Often I hear that the dog is behaving well, but there is too much mess and possible diseases in the house....so the dog goes...very sad. I am really careful about worming etc...but really....mud boots or muddy paws...itīs all the same to me
Also I think people put too much emphasis on that the dog should very quickly love and adore the new baby. My older son didnīt even really like the baby till the baby was one, so why should the dog? Itīs great if the dog 'licks tears' ( very sweet) but I am also happy when they are just relaxed around each other. I also never trust the dog, or actually the baby being a bully and the dog protecting herself, so they are never totally alone...but hey....a one and half year old baby gets into so much trouble, heīs never alone anyway!
I must say that it is so much better since they turned 1.
I do understand Toddīs answer concerning older kids...and an older kid can also be asked not to behave in a certain way towards the dogs.
I just think all this Alpha techniques are great to use as ideas and can be used more or less on each dog. Some dogs donīt need much guidance. Other dogs need a lot. My neighbour has a lovely dog...hardly needed any training, but I think as an owner he was lucky and would be really shocked how much work another dog \ breed needs...he should be careful to not take too much credit for his 'sucess'. Only we, as the owner really knows how far our dog has come and how much potential there is. I have so many 'work-in-progress' areas with my dog but I also know what she was like this time last year....theres my 50cents
Have you got some photos up MaxHollyNoah?
Annie