To get rid of the dog,...or not

[jules22]

Hi all, I have a bit of a problem. We got our dog, Patches July 2008. We have had our son in Dec of 2009. The dog has always been jealous of my son but never really got fussy/chased after him in anyway. Now that my son is walking/running and playing he tries to play with Patches. Patches gets SO MAD. He growls and shows his teeth and even tries to bite. I have done everything to show him that is not the way we act with a child.

My son thinks its a game, but its not. I've tried getting my son to stay away but its hard because he also likes to love on Patches. Patches is a small dog, a Havanese but was supposed to be good with kids. I think he is jealous that we have my son now but he has been worse the past year. He won't come when called, he hides under the bed and now that I am pregnant, he causes more head ache than anything. He's bitten me 5+ times and has nipped my son 5+ times. My vet said once it bites a child, you should get rid of it. I'm starting ot believe her.

I wanted to ask what you all think? We are strong dog lovers, and believe dogs should be in the house/in a family. What do you think we should do? Should we get rid of this dog and then in a couple years get a dog more suitable for kids like a golden retriever or lab?? I feel guilty like it is my fault but I'm sick of having to protect my son and myself in my own home!

 

[Jennifurball]

Rather than get rid of Patches, could you not take him to a behaviour class, if you have the funds?

 

[stickylizard]

Hu hun. it must be so hard for you because a pet is part of the family as you say , BUT i do agree with your vet - he may get a proper hold one time and do some real damage. i agree with you that dogs should be part of a family but it sounds like perhaps your dog would be happier maybe living with a single man or woman, where it is centre of attention, and you would be happier too not having to worry it might do someone some damage. then you can get a lab as you say or a nice collie, they are so loving. it would be so hard to do but think of your soon to be 2 children. however it is a personal opinion. perhaps if you cant part with the pup then you could contact a dog behaviourist? xxx

 

[Mari30me]

I am an animal lover, but I agrees with your vet. If he has already bitten you several times, I would not chance that with my child. If you do not get rid of him, maybe try an animal behaviorist?? Best of luck with what ever you decide.

 

[bella1988]

hi there, i had to re-home one of my dogs recently for different reasons and it was one of the hardest things i have ever done and i did feel so bad about it and still do but it was for the best, i rehomed her with someone who had the time for her and i still keep in contact so i know how she is. i still have one dog and my son torments her but she has never bit him or growled, some dogs are just not able to adjust to a household with kids and it will only get worse for patches with another baby, it will be hard but it will prob be best for you and for the dog. just my thoughts. xx

 

[AliciaDA]

If it was me personally, I would get rid of the dog. I love animals and they are like my kids too, but my child will always come first. Plus it doesn't sound like the dog is too happy anyway, being constantly on the edge because of the child.

When I was a kid, my parents had a rottie that was their baby, it became super jealous after I was born. Would just growl and snap etc, but never touched me. Until one day it went after me (I started walking by then and was going up to the dog). I still have scars on my wrist from it. Needless to say, they got rid of the dog after that.

 

[jules22]

thanks everyone. I would take him to a dog trainer, but I'm a high risk pregnancy and my husband barely has time for us let alone taking him to a trainer once a week. I've raised 5 healthy labs in my life and they have never growled at me and I remember as a kid, pulling tails and such and never once got bit. I think you all are right, and helped confirm it...that I probably need to rehome. It is so sad, but the new baby and my son don't need to be bit... thanks all

 

[kdutra]

I am not a fan of giving away dogs either, but if my dogs bit my children they would be gone so fast. And I absolutly love all 4 of my dogs to death!!!

 

[LisK]

Maybe you could try going back to the basics with Patches. Have the dog and the baby in the same room together (but have the baby in a crib or playpen) and praise the dog a lot, give him lots of treats, etc, so the dog starts associating the baby with things that are good and positive.

Taking patches on lots of walks and stimulating his brain with games may help too. A lot of times dogs start acting out when they are bored and frustrated. And you can do basic training yourself (having the dog sit/lay down for treats) which may help re-establish your dominant role.

 

[Tabbyfourpaws]

I would make time for the trainer personally. I'm a softie and could never give the family pet away x

 

[bumpbear]

I think you're making the right choice in rehoming the dog. If one day it harmed your child, you would regret not having acted sooner. Behaviour classes take time to have effect, and as someone else mentioned, it sounds like the dog would be happier in a childless home where it can be doted on - perhaps with a retired couple or something. Maybe ask around locally to see if anyone would be willing to take him in rather than taking him to a dog's home?

 

[SabrinaKat]

I am an animal lover as well (I have two lovely cats, Sabrina and Daphne), but I was concerned when I read that the dog had bitten you. My DH and I discussed about maybe getting a dog in a few years when our hopeful first edition (due end of Feb) is older, and although i grew up with a dog (a red setter, who my little sister!), I would not be happy keeping a dog that growls and had bitten me. I would speak to your vet, perhaps, and find out what they recommend.

best wishes

 

[Minivan]

Hi,

I had to do the same thing with my first dog. we had her for 4 years before we became pregnant. So she was like our first child. She was pretty good with our Son until he started walking. One time he fell on the dog while she was sleeping and the dog instinctively nipped at him and actually bit him on the face. It was a sad day and we knew we would have to give our dog away. It was a hard choice and I still miss her, but my child was much more important than the dog. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something else happened. I'm sorry you are faced with this choice. Just do what you know feels right.
hugs.

 

[amore]

When my niece was little her grandmas dog bit her - it was an unprovoked attack that came after a few little nips. The dog bit right throughher top lip and split it in two and did damage to the gum underneath, this had to be reconstructed by a plastic surgeon - she is 15 now and the scars are still obvious. This decision is ultimately yours but I just wanted to let you know about her experience x

 

[welshgirl21]

I'd take him to classes hun, I am a believer in that when we get animals we make a commitment to them and make them part of the family so I would do all in my power to make this situation better, I have always believed animals are for life and issues can be resolved.

xx

 

[libbylou]

I would try a trainer first, but if thats not an option (money, time, etc), then I would definitely consider re-homing the dog.
My pets are my family, but clearly your dog is unhappy sharing his home with children, so you're doing him a kindness by finding him a child-free home where he can be comfortable and happy and your children in return are safe from a nippy dog

 

[sunbaby777]

Young kids are very scary to pets. They move fast and make high pitched noises, not to mention the fact that they are "intruders' in your pet's eyes. I think you should just keep them separated until the kids get a little older. I would also work on some behavioral training / socialization skills. It sounds like the pet is terrified, but it CAN be remedied if you put the time into it. I know not all will agree, but I don't believe pets are disposable. Once you take on that responsibility, they are yours. Can you get a baby gate and keep the pet in a different room from your little ones?

 

[Geegees]

It might be a little 'way out' for you but google the trust technique.
I have seen the results first hand... It's truly amazing.

 

[LittleBoSheep]

I would get rid of the dog because it sounds dangerous to your son and future child.
I know it's part of the family, but I would even get rid of my dog if it meant that my children would be safe from harm.
Children > Animals

I'm sure someone would want him like an older couple who would show him a bunch of attention and wouldn't upset him like a child would.

 

[Jaylynne]

We got a rescue dog when I was in elementary school. The lady said he was excellent with kids. One night a few months later I went to say goodnight as was normal and as I leaned down to pet him, he lunged up and bit me right next to my eye. He actually got part of my lower lid and nose. I hadn't been moving to fast or aggressively and if my reflexes were slower he would have taken an eye out. My parents got rid of him as soon as we got back from the ER.
MY two huskies are great with my stepson. When he was 2, when we werent looking, he would pull ears, hair, tails and they would only whimper or run away lol. One of them is a rescue and he's been GREAT with him. If you can't trust your dog with your child, I'm sorry he has to go. A nip can turn ugly very fast. I'm a huge animal lover too but my child comes before a dog even if that dog is part of my family.
Sometimes small male dogs are looking for a place in their "pack". They start with the next smallest and work up from their to show dominance. This was what our vet told us when our first rescue dog attacked me.