Dog + Baby + Toddler = Chaos

[so lucky]

Penny has tolerated the grandkids pretty well, usually just trying to get out of their way. Occasionally grabbing a dropped toy and chewing it up, but not that often. But now, with the latest baby, she is really acting jealous and weird. She grabs everything, particularly pacifiers, toys, shoes.
Last evening we had the 8 month old and the nearly 4 year old. What chaos!
I don't know how to keep Penny from being so jealous, when the kids actually take all our attention. I had to leash her to the bannister last night, to get a minute to feed everyone.
This phase will probably pass, but I am starting to dread these times. I can't enjoy the kids individually when all I am doing is being referee.

 

[seedcorn]

Good times....may they last forever...

 

[baymule]

When we got our puppy and the grand kids showed up, it scared him to death. LOL He got over it quick and they play now. Penny will adjust. Maybe give her a little individual attention and a treat before plunging back into the chaos.

 

[flowerbug]

Penny has tolerated the grandkids pretty well, usually just trying to get out of their way. Occasionally grabbing a dropped toy and chewing it up, but not that often. But now, with the latest baby, she is really acting jealous and weird. She grabs everything, particularly pacifiers, toys, shoes.
Last evening we had the 8 month old and the nearly 4 year old. What chaos!
I don't know how to keep Penny from being so jealous, when the kids actually take all our attention. I had to leash her to the bannister last night, to get a minute to feed everyone.
This phase will probably pass, but I am starting to dread these times. I can't enjoy the kids individually when all I am doing is being referee.

take her out for a long walk and play/fetch/romp session before?

 

[thistlebloom]

Is Penny crate trained So Lucky?
Dogs that are used to being in a crate find it a place of refuge and will retreat to it if things get stressful. It's like their own little cave.
If she's not crate trained it might help to let her be in a quiet room when the kids get there, then bring her out for a little interaction and put her back. She's not a puppy, so probably not as adaptable to chaos.
You could increase the time she spends out with everybody until she seems more relaxed about it.

 

[so lucky]

take her out for a long walk and play/fetch/romp session before?

good idea.

 

[so lucky]

Is Penny crate trained So Lucky?
Dogs that are used to being in a crate find it a place of refuge and will retreat to it if things get stressful. It's like their own little cave.
If she's not crate trained it might help to let her be in a quiet room when the kids get there, then bring her out for a little interaction and put her back. She's not a puppy, so probably not as adaptable to chaos.
You could increase the time she spends out with everybody until she seems more relaxed about it.

She is (or was) crate trained, but got really anxious in it after a while. I might drag it out and let her get in it for short periods. The lady who owns the dog boarder said Penny actually tore up the crate when she first started being boarded there. They eventually let her stay out of the crate at night so she could be near the staff. I don't think it would work putting her in another room, because she would want to be in the middle of the action.
She actually didn't complain too much about being tethered, but the baby was attracted to the red leash, and kept trying to chew on it. He likes power cords, too.

 

[catjac1975]

Penny has tolerated the grandkids pretty well, usually just trying to get out of their way. Occasionally grabbing a dropped toy and chewing it up, but not that often. But now, with the latest baby, she is really acting jealous and weird. She grabs everything, particularly pacifiers, toys, shoes.
Last evening we had the 8 month old and the nearly 4 year old. What chaos!
I don't know how to keep Penny from being so jealous, when the kids actually take all our attention. I had to leash her to the bannister last night, to get a minute to feed everyone.
This phase will probably pass, but I am starting to dread these times. I can't enjoy the kids individually when all I am doing is being referee.

Be very careful of that dog. Even the best dog can make a mistake and bite. My Lily dalmatian once bit my grandson. The dog and child were about the same age I think 2 1/2.. That one grandson seemed to have a bit of a mean streak when he was young, now he is a prince. Aidan hit the dog, fell on him, and she was eating a bone. The trifecta of a few seconds. And she bit him inn the face. An ugly scrape. If my husband or any one had seen it happen they would have demanded I get rid of her. It was uglier than the actual damage. Aidan barely reacted and was never afraid of her. But for years I kept the dog carefully away. She is a sweet angel, all 3 boys drape them selves all over her, and I can now relax when they are with her. But any dog can have a bad day.

 

[so lucky]

Be very careful of that dog. Even the best dog can make a mistake and bite. My Lily dalmatian once bit my grandson. The dog and child were about the same age I think 2 1/2.. That one grandson seemed to have a bit of a mean streak when he was young, now he is a prince. Aidan hit the dog, fell on him, and she was eating a bone. The trifecta of a few seconds. And she bit him inn the face. An ugly scrape. If my husband or any one had seen it happen they would have demanded I get rid of her. It was uglier than the actual damage. Aidan barely reacted and was never afraid of her. But for years I kept the dog carefully away. She is a sweet angel, all 3 boys drape them selves all over her, and I can now relax when they are with her. But any dog can have a bad day.

Yes, I am constantly on edge when the baby is here. Penny is 8 or 9 years old now, maybe 10, and we don't know how she was trained as a youngster. I sure would hate to be put in your position, with the bite. There was an incident last year locally where an 18 month old was actually killed by a large dog at the babysitter's.
And probably Penny picks up on my anxiety, which makes her anxious.