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Edited - Never thought I would be doing this
I have no idea why all of the coding showed up in my post. To summarize what my original post said. My DH and I had our first baby in August, one of my four dogs whose had behavioral issues all of his life has become obsessed with the baby to the point where he has stopped sleeping and is making himself and the other dogs sick (from stress). We can't tell what his intentions are, except that it appears to be aggressive. As if my son is a squeaky toy or small animal. We've worked with a behaviorist in the past and have consulted several recently, as well as our vet. We've tried to re-establish our control by working on basic training (and yes in response to a post we have established NILFF), nothing is working. And we're now in contact with a breed specific rescue. My dog is staying with my parents while we work this all out. I was one of those people who screamed from the mountain tops that I would never give up a dog just because I had a baby. And now here I am doing just that. Its devastating. So I'm looking for any advice, things I haven't thought of, help from anyone who's been through something like this, going through it, knows about this, is familiar with dog behavior, etc. Anything, anything at all would be helpful. Thank you.
In late August, DH and I brought home our first child. My mini dachshund became unbearably obsessed. If the baby is not in his sight, he cries and barks. He did this for so long and so incessantly that he made himself sick. He will not sleep at night time, only cry & bark. For the last few weeks he has been staying with my relatives and we would pick him up every night after work and do training, and try to get him used to the fact that there is a baby in the house and it is okay. When he gets near the baby, we can't tell if he wants to lick him or bite him. He pushes the baby with his nose like he is a squeaky toy. We are afraid because of this behavior and his obsession that he will ultimately wind up biting and trying to "kill" the squeak like he does to toys. He is difficult to keep off the couch when we are sitting with the baby, and any move we make sparks him to jump up and try to get to the baby. He is not sleeping, he does not let the other dogs sleep and the household is so tense whenever he is around.
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When he was approximately 9 weeks old, he was diagnosed withparvovirus. He spent about a week in the Vet's quarantine rooms getting IV fluids, pain meds, etc. Once nursed back to health, we were able to bring him home where he continued to be in quarantine. This lasted approximately 3-4 more weeks. Because of his quarantine period he was never properly socialized with people and other dogs. He is fear aggressive and will attack/bite other dogs that he doesn't know. We have never been able to successfully introduce him to dogs other than the ones he grew up with in my home and at my fathers home. When new people are introduced, he is initially somewhat aggressive. He will snarl and bark and posture a bit, sometimes even appear to lunge although he has never actually bitten anyone that we've introduced him to. Typically within about a half hour of people not paying him attention and ignoring him, he calms down and accepts that they are there to stay and often will want to be pet and lay on their laps, although sometimes he will not calm down at all and needs to be removed from the situation when new people are there (usually because the people don't follow our instructions on their introduction). Loud and sudden movements disturb him. He will jump on toddlers, and I believe may bite one if not very closely supervised. I believe he looks at babies as squeaky toys. He appears to jam his nose into a baby when sniffing as he would a squeaky toy that he tries to de-stuff and "kill" the squeak. We have not "tested" this with a baby extensively for obvious reasons.
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Early on Wilson had some very basic training, but not very consistent or routine. He does know how to sit and he understands stay, but doesn't always listen. He also knows down (to lay down), but requires a gesture toward the ground to actually do it. When we realized his aggression issues, we had a behaviorist come to the house to work with us to help him along. Ultimately the training did not work, but only showed us that ignoring him will usually calm him enough to have adults over to visit without fear of him biting someone or constantly barking. Recently, we started working on basic commands again and have him listening fairly well to Sit, down, and stay (so long a treat is readily available for him). We started this in hopes to gain some control over his actions, anxiety, and instability around the new baby.
Ultimately my DH and I have decided to contact a breed rescue. We are just beginning this process, and I'm still trying to find any way to keep him. Anyonoe who has any experience, good or bad, anyone who is versed in dog behavior, anyone who has any advice I would love to hear from. Thanks.
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Re: Edited - Never thought I would be doing this
First off, not sure how much advice you're going to get, because your post is hard to read with all that extra coding.
I'm going to be frank. Re-homing, especially a dog with behavior issues like yours, is not going to go over well. These issues make your dog basically unadoptable. Rescues do not have the resources to devote to rehabbing dogs with severe behavioral issues.
So, your options are to continue working with him, or having him humanely euthanized at your vet's office.
What did the first behaviorist have you do? Do you practice Nothing in Life is Free at home?
NILIF: https://sites.google.com/site/petsboardfaqs/home/training-and-behavior/nothing-in-life-is-free
Obviously, your baby's safety comes first! While a PP is correct in saying it might be harder to adopt the dog out if it doesn't get along with small children, it's not impossible and I would certainly give that a very serious try before euthanizing it. I've seen dog adoption listings that indicate a pet is not suitable for a home with children, and there's plenty of individuals and couples that choose not to have children but might want a pet to love.
I hope you are able to do what is best both for your baby and your dog!
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I feel for you in your situation. I recently had to put my German Shepherd down for sever agression. He went through obedience school and continual training for four years about his agressive behavior. I even tried getting him on with the police deparment and finding other homes. The unanimous comment was that he would not be happy and actually be worse if he were to be placed in another home because he was so attached to me. Later, I find out that a friend watched a show on "The Dog Whisper" about a GSD that had a similar issue. Ceaser said it was a personality issue between the owner and the dog. Ceaser took the dog and let the person take any one of his. That being said, how is your do behaving when it is at your parent's home? Is it exhibiting the same behavior when you and your children are not in the home with the dog? If everything changes, then I recommend working on finding another home instead of the other option. You are not to blame for anything so don't feel guilty. They may be our pets but they animals and we must not forget that. Good luck!
If it truly is an aggression issue, most rescues will not adopt those dogs out as they are liability issues. RedHead is right.
OP have you seen a true behaviorist or a trainer? They are two completely different things. Would you be willing to explain what exactly the dog is doing that you are deeming aggressive?
Also, one of the other posters commented on Ceaser. Please do not buy into The Dog Whisperer. His teaching methods are outdated and dangerous. Positive reinforcement techniques are not only safer, but they are more effective long term.