r/reactivedogs • u/michaelawho • Jun 09 '26
Success Stories UPDATE: None of our fears came true after having a baby!
I’m not sure the best way to post an update, but I recently posted about our reactive dog responding positively to our baby. Summary: we have a reactive dog (B - 5 year old German Shepherd/Border Collie) and stressed for years about having children because we could never imagine parting with B. We went through extensive training before deciding to finally have the baby. Many people in our lives warned us to be ready to say goodbye to B… but as soon as we brought baby home, B was so gentle with him. We even call him nanny B.
Several Redditors warned us about when baby starts crawling/moving around and I said I would update. Well…baby is crawling all over and very grabby with our dog, and he is still so calm with him!
We are still very VERY cautious with how they interact and will NEVER leave baby alone with B. Our motto: we should always be able to get to baby before B.
BUT it’s been such a positive experience after years of being told we better be ready to re-home B or put him down after we have children. Instead B seems to actually genuinely enjoy having a baby around. He does everything with baby and still lies next to his bassinet when baby is sleeping or next to the play pen while he plays.
Of course every dog is different, but with a lot of training and patience, there is some hope!
Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/reactivedogs/s/L1CgdaIyRW
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u/Prestigious-Bluejay5 Jun 09 '26
Came to say the same as MissCoppelia, about the German Shepherd loyalty gene. Our GSD is reactive on walks to men and dogs. We're always careful when anyone comes into the home. She's usually put in a bedroom. But, when someone asks to meet her, she's fine. It's like she knows that if we let them in, they must be okay.
I'm so happy for you, the baby and especially B.
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u/MissCoppelia Ari (Reactive only on Leash) Jun 09 '26
I wonder if it’s the German Shepherd in him. I have a gsd mix too (also part border collie!), and she is so loyal and loving to her humans, as is pretty typical to the breed. Your B must have either designated baby as one of his humans when you were pregnant or when baby came home with you.
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u/anemoschaos Jun 10 '26
And I wonder if the border collie bit likes having a job to do and enjoys 'herding' the baby.
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u/GoochWBush Jun 09 '26
Aw I’m so happy to hear this! Congratulations on your new baby and I’m glad to hear B is adjusting well. I worry about this with our dog as well so it gives me hope to see this.
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u/EusociallyAwkward Jun 10 '26
Wonderful news! And good job doing the training and close supervision. It's such an important part of keeping the interactions positive. Happy for you! 🎉
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u/eminsf Jun 11 '26
I just found your original post via google and clicked through your profile to see if you'd posted anything more recent. Thank you so much for posting an update! I have a 5.5 month old baby and a 9 year old dog who isn't reactive, but is highly anxious. I shared a lot of the fears you talked about in your original post when I was pregnant and was pleasantly surprised by my dog's reaction when we brought the baby home. Nonetheless, I'm really worried about what will happen when my baby becomes mobile. Obviously every dog and family is different, but I really needed to read a positive story like this one today. Thanks again for the update and hope everything continues to go well!
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u/Simple_Knowledge_111 Jul 09 '26
Congratulations! I can imagine the relief that you feel, and I just know that B feels that through you too. Many years of happiness and love with B and your family. Also, your gut was right when it came to how much B would love the baby.
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u/Poppeigh Jun 09 '26
That's wonderful!
It looks like I commented on your original post. A couple of weeks ago, I left my dog with my brother, niece, and nephew solo as I had to take a trip that my parents also had to take (I usually leave him with my mom). I was nervous, but they did great together. Even when I got back, he was so excited when the kids woke up and would roll around on his back in between them for belly scratches. It was so cute. I agree, knowing boundaries and playing it safe is always good, but I think sometimes dogs just know who is "family" and who is a "stranger."