When our golden retriever, Beau, began barking at our new nanny, we assumed he was just having trouble adjusting. Beau had always been a loving, gentle dog—friendly to everyone and quick to wag his tail at visitors. But his reaction to Claire, our caregiver, was different. He growled, barked, and stood protectively between her and our baby daughter, Zoey. It worried us so much that we even considered finding Beau a new home.
After years of hoping and waiting, Zoey was finally here—our little miracle and greatest joy. Beau stayed close to her crib like a devoted protector. But once Claire arrived, his behavior changed, leaving us confused.
Claire came highly recommended—professional, kind, and well-loved by past families. We trusted her right away, but Beau didn’t. His anxiety grew every day, especially when Claire got near Zoey. She began sending worried texts: “Beau won’t let me near her. Maybe you should keep him in another room?”
As exhausted new parents, we started to wonder if she was right.