I have a Lab/Pit that is the sweetest dog ever. She is extremely gentle and has never snapped or acted weird around people or other animals. We had a baby about a month ago and since then I have had 2 different friends come over with children that are about 1 year old. Both babies crawled up to my dog and she snapped at them. She didn't bite, she just barked but it really upsets me because I am scared she will snap at my baby. She has a bad hip that has been hurting her a little bit more recently and I have heard that dogs can snap at people when they are in pain. I don't know what to do or why she is doing this. She has never snapped at anyone before. Help!

[wishbone]

Don't let them alone unsupervised. Yeah even anyone who suddenly suffer pain will react unnecessary so don't take a risk.

[mrandrei]

Take your dog to the vet! Maybe she has some anxiety problems.

[lil mutt]

i suggest never leave your baby unattended... You never know if your dog will do the same thing to your baby specially when you are not around.

It is good advise to recommend always supervising your dog with EVERYONE, not just children. As for the snapping all of a sudden, it could very well be that her pain is causing her to have a shorter fuse. The vet should be able to help you with that, pain meds or whatever she needs to help her. I had to keep my dogs away from both of my children until the kids were at least old enough to understand that they should leave the dog alone..(about three or four years old) I put up a kid gate, the dogs on one side, the children on the other, so they could see each other and the dogs could interact with the kids if wanted, but also had the option to stay away from them as well. It takes time and patience, but they will eventually get along, as long as the dog doesn't feel she is being replaced by the new baby. Keep doing the things you did with the dog as often as you can, and try to include her in other family events with supervision, and while you or someone else holding the baby. While you are holding the baby, you could pet the dog if she wants attention, so she knows there is room for her still in your life. Good luck!