Holly
Well-known member
Good morning- hoping someone may have some other suggestions for me. I gave birth to the most amazing baby boy 2 weeks ago. When I brought him home, our dogs adjusted and have done just fine with him-- with the exception of Scarlett, my Cavalier with SM. The other 3 dogs sniffed at him and mostly ignore him now. Scarlett is almost obsessed with the baby and will not leave him alone. She gets very frantic, panting like crazy and trying to get to him no matter whether I am holding him or he is in his swing, crib, or bassinet. When I tried letting her near him to sniff him, she started frantically licking his head and then she started trying to bite his head. Another time, I was holding the baby and bent down to pick something up and she lunged at the baby's head.
I had to go back into the hospital due to high blood pressure issues, so I had Scarlett go stay with a friend for several days and she just came home yesterday. It has definitely been a little hectic at my house with a new baby and me being hospitalized, and I know she is feeling that stress. I also know that she is stressed just having something new in the house that is taking up so much of my attention. I am trying to be sure that I am giving all the dogs my attention. as well.
I did have a trainer come over last night who gave me some tips and wants me to teach Scarlett some commands such as "Go to your place", etc. I also talked with my vet who contacted Scarlett's neurologist. The neuro suggested trying her on Prozac for a little while to take the edge off for her and help her until she adjusts to the baby. Having Scarlett be so frantic and upset has exacerbated her SM symptoms.
I don't want to have to keep her separated from the baby as I know that will be miserable for her. She is very attached to me and my husband (but mostly to me). I have really babied her over the past couple of years, which I can see now, probably wasn't the best thing for her.
I would appreciate any suggestions. I know that I can never trust Scarlett completely around baby and that I will always have to keep a close eye (which I would do anyway!) but this is not fun living this way and having to keep her and the baby separated.
I had to go back into the hospital due to high blood pressure issues, so I had Scarlett go stay with a friend for several days and she just came home yesterday. It has definitely been a little hectic at my house with a new baby and me being hospitalized, and I know she is feeling that stress. I also know that she is stressed just having something new in the house that is taking up so much of my attention. I am trying to be sure that I am giving all the dogs my attention. as well.
I did have a trainer come over last night who gave me some tips and wants me to teach Scarlett some commands such as "Go to your place", etc. I also talked with my vet who contacted Scarlett's neurologist. The neuro suggested trying her on Prozac for a little while to take the edge off for her and help her until she adjusts to the baby. Having Scarlett be so frantic and upset has exacerbated her SM symptoms.
I don't want to have to keep her separated from the baby as I know that will be miserable for her. She is very attached to me and my husband (but mostly to me). I have really babied her over the past couple of years, which I can see now, probably wasn't the best thing for her.
I would appreciate any suggestions. I know that I can never trust Scarlett completely around baby and that I will always have to keep a close eye (which I would do anyway!) but this is not fun living this way and having to keep her and the baby separated.