We have a 4 1/2 year old lurchur (owned from puppy), been a little gem for the past couple of years.  Lately we have had a new addition to the family (baby) and the little gem has turned into the devil!  He still gets his two walks a day, attention from us both and acts normal when we are around. 

If we leave the house to go shopping we are greeted on our return by something smashed up or ripped apart....a couple of times hes growled at the wife when she returned... any ideas what we can do? its starting to get expensive and if this is his reaction to being jealous, where will it stop?

Can anyone offer any helpful advice with this problem?

Kind thanks in advance!

I know that you don't want to hear this first bit, but read me out please.

When I was first married (at 18 :-( ) we had a dog that got very jealous when the baby arrived. She got to the stage where I couldn't go near the baby - she would put herself in between me and the baby. For the babies sake I got rid of her. She lived a happy life in her new home and I don't regret it.

However, I now have the experience (I hope ;-) ) to be able to live through that behaviour. I have since had another 2 children, and I don't know how many dogs (I now have grandchildren :-) ) and there is no way that I would do it again. Firstly I would get a crate for your dog and teach him to go in there when you go out. That way there shouldn't be anything for him to chew to pieces. This has to be, in my opinion, a priority if you don't want to keep going to the furniture shop......

Who feeds him? If you do then I would let your wife take over this job. She should also be the one that grooms him, at least for now. You are going to have to take a back seat for a while. How does he behave when you are dealing with your baby? How old is your baby? How do you both react to him when you are dealing with the baby?

He has to be made to feel that he is still part of the family, and that the baby is a good thing. If one of you holds the baby, and the other gives him treats when he is reacting in a good way, he will soon learn that baby means food. Whatever you do, don't leave them alone together.

Hi, thanks for the advice, fingers crossed!.  Andy