Baby Bites Dog! (from youtube)

This baby is adorable and has a contagious giggle. The mouthing and trying to taste doggie is so age appropriate and something I remmber clearly with my children. It is clear though that this is confusing to the dog and although this dog is QUITE tolerant and seems to enjoy this baby very much....mouthing doggie should be avoided. Seriously. This stage and age is very challenging for dogs as babies motions are unstable and unpredictable. This is a time when an adult should be assisting in petting and putting their hand over the baby's hand to encourage a gentle pat vs. pull of the dog. Good thing the dog has the ball to chomp on! ;)

Baby and Puppy Love (youtube)

This is great! Dad holding and supporting baby while dogs visit and interact. All is controlled and predictable and supervised. When babies are this young it is best to have an adult holding or hands on the baby while interacting with dogs. This way the baby and dog are both successful and respected.

baby and dog (youtube)

Unsafe and confusing. Safety always must be a prioty. This dog has great self control and good common sense!

baby attacks dog (you tube example)

This is soooo disturbing and dangerous! A baby holding a dog on a choke chain! What options does the dog have? Watch as Miller does his best to Increase distance by licking the face of the baby (only to be told to stop) Miller looks for help to his person but she finds it funny. Miller then licks baby again (appeasment behavior also done to increase space) To which Mom says "ok, miller no more kisses, no more kisses." He is not kissing, he is trying to get out of an uncomfortable situation and needs help. Finally he gets up and comes to the camera and looks for help. Mom says "where are you going Miller....grab him" Baby grabs miller's side. Miller spins around and offers an appeasment kiss again. As if to say PLEASE JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! Then he comes once again to his trusted person and sits in fron of her hoping she helps him out of this situation! Ears back, licking chips, BIG YAWN! At this point Miller is deserate and truly begging! Finally it ends.

Baby vs. Dog (youtube)

Does this dog look happy?
Watch the dog adjust the position. Lick lips, turn away, ears back, whites of the eyes. It is not normal human behavior to come flying towards a dog. This is very odd to a dog. Cornering a dog and playing like this is very confusing and stressful as indicated by this dog. Dogs may react differently.

baby versus dog (youtube video)

Dogs offer signs of stress or give subtle signs that indicate "move away" This dog turns away and yawns. It is unclear to the dog what the child wants or is going to do. Notice the ear of the dog once the child moves away...cautious, weary. This dog looks like it might be older and could be uncomfortable and getting up could take effort. Over time if this type of encounter continues....how might the dog respond to the child's approach?

Too close for comfort. (another youtube video)

Another video made public via You tube. We This dog is VERY tolerant but what happens when he does not want to be held down? Tackled? Or smothered? What is this child learning about how to treat dogs?