Quote:
Originally Posted by lovemachichis  ive heard from some of my friends that my chihuahuas arent going to get along with my baby (which will arrive in about 3 mos.) i did read in my chihuahua book that they dont usually do well with small children bc sometimes toddlers are rough, but i was already preg. when i got them, and i didnt read that until it was too late. and i know i couldnt give them up but im also concerned about how they will react to the lack of my full attention that they wont be getting (but do now and make it obvious that they think my full attn. should be devoted to them) i figured since i got them first though i could raise my child to be gentle with them. will that be enough or should i worry some more? |
Raising your child to be gentle with dogs, no matter what the breed, is important, but you need to understand that your child will need time to develop his/her motor skills. It takes time for small children to learn the proper way to pet, without hurting the dog, and for a small breed like chihuahua, it doesn't take much to hurt them. You also need to be aware that accidents can happen when your child is first learning to stand and walk. Little kids fall down a lot, and if the child falls on the dog, it can be lethal. Chihuahua legs are easily broken.
My suggestion is that you never leave the dogs alone with the child. I don't even place my dogs in homes with children under 8 years. But even if you are there, you need to have a safety zone for the dogs, and be sure the dogs can't be fallen on. Also, remember that the smaller the dog, the more it thinks it needs to protect itself, which is often done with a warning growl or nip. If this happens, it's your fault for allowing the dog to feel endangered. Don't blame the dog, and don't punish the dog. Just rectify the situation.
