Advice needed on family and dogs

[Ninjasquirrel]

First I confess I did not read every page.

Second....I have big dogs. My extended family is afraid of big dogs so stay away.
SCORE!!

It makes picking up all that poop SOOOO worth it!

I too would keep my dog out of that drama all together.
Anyone that thinks 2 dogs that are strangers can randomly magically be friends in a chaotic gathering is not where I want my dog.

One thing that struck me......
The in laws dog bites people?








Yeah.....no. I would decline to attend all together. I don't care if it is 15# or 115# I prefer to not be bitten.

I've never witnessed a full on bite but definately a shark snap. They just yell at her and put her in the crate

 

[chickens really]

I've never witnessed a full on bite but definately a shark snap. They just yell at her and put her in the crate

Any reason that dog can't be left at home alone?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Do this. Family holidays are for visiting family. this is not the time to try to train your dog, especially when the other parties are so clueless. You have done a lot of work with Duchess and please don't risk her mental well being, by putting her in this situation. you are her protector. A little inconvenience now, may save a great deal of inconvenience in the years to come, as you will not set her back in her training. keep looking for that bulletproof dog to work her with. Your relatives dog sounds very defensive, and he's probably so uncomfortable around your dog, that it is unfair to him, as well as her. It would be kind to both of them, to make the effort. It would have been nice if they had gotten along, but that sounds like a pipe dream.

We have a friend with 2 bulletproof dogs but he lived kinda far so it's hard to arrange some BAT sessions. I agree it is a pipe dream that they will automatically be friends but the MIL is insistant. Im starting to think its for selfish reasons, i.e. watch your dog for you when you go on vacation. Which they do, a lot. And she complains she has to pay more for a hotel to take the dog with

 

[Peepsi]

After reading more on this thread, I'm glad I have chickens, and NO dogs. Too much drama over dogs in general. People insist on taking them everywhere with them.

Now, Chickens? I leave 'em in their coop/run, and go out to visit them on MY terms. I don't have to worry about bringing my chickens to my in-laws house and having to worry about it fighting with the in-laws chickens. I don't bring my chickens to any stores, nor do I have to worry about finding a pet-friendly hotel for them. I don't have to worry about my chickens biting little children or any other people for that matter, nor do I have to worry about them barking all night and keeping the neighbors awake. I do still have to clean up the chicken's poop, but at least they will lay eggs in exchange for the favor...something dogs cannot do.

So the real solution here is to lose the dogs entirely, and keep the chickens.

 

[Conan]

Over the last few years (specifically, since having children) I have come more and more to not like dogs. Today's pet culture is just too absurd for me. The humanizing of animals trend is becoming too much for me to stomach.

Both my parents have ill mannered dogs and I hate visiting with them. And both parents justify this behavior by calling the dogs their babies. Uhh, what about your grandchildren? If my human babies acted like that you would throw a fit!

Animals should not be more important than humans. Period.

Well said. I couldn't agree more with this. I'm consistently blown away by the excuses and mental gymnastics people perform to justify their crazy dogs. Can't stand it.
To the OP, sounds like you've figured it out. To you and your family, it's a holiday. To the dog, it's just another day. Best of luck, and happy holidays!

 

[BGcoop]

That is awful! Is the dog ok? I agree with you though. People need to remember that dogs were breed from wolves. They are not all friendly. My SO knows this from personal experience. He was bit by a neighbor's dog at a very young age on the face. He had to have stitches and he still has scarring. His beard grows in "all white trash" because he can't grow hair where his skin was injured. I hope anyone reading this will practice mindfulness and consider others when they are making decisions and not just what is best for their own endeavors. It is important especially now more than ever that we think of how our actions might hurt others.

This happened a couple of years ago and yes the dog was ok after THAT attack. Unfortunately he was a tiny Pomeranian and one day he was let outside to “do his business” in a yard with one of those underground invisible fences, and something else got him. The neighbor found his body.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I have a puppy mill shi tzu service dog who is now trained to know when I am going to have a seizure and how to help me. He also learned this summer how to run agility course..i was disabled when I thought him this. This can do by a willing dog owner. As for introducing, neutral teratory helps, the dog home owner will always have an advantage. But meet outside and let the dog who lives their lead inside. Then, off leash if you can, let them sniff bums, etc..watch, if it gets aggressive you’ll see hackles come up on the back..this is key...grap them without overreacting..just say a short key word that will be your new key to the dog when she mis behaves..watch Caesar Milan if you can..he uses a scchht sound just to grab attention...then separate and chill the moment...go on with day, try to keep leashes down. Take breaks with dogs in rooms or in cars or in crates...for the DOGS...not you..it is important that they relax and learn that it is not so bad when the other visits and the stress level goes down...and they can have the attention...make sure each other family pays attention to the other dog. And then bring them back together. It’s not the time yet, but down the road it would be a great bond to have them both get treats together. This needs work on both of your parts at the holidays..but it sounds as though you’re going to have to do more of the work at home...it’s not hard as long as you’re willing and take time and persistence..it’s all on utube..I am give you great sites later. For now..focus on these next few..or several holidays because if you don’t put in the effort now, the dogs will become an issue for the long haul....and most importantly enjoy the holidays with your family and you new dog...just take breaks..hey, everyone needs a short break during those long days with family!! Lol. Keep us updated and ask any questions!?

 

[FortCluck]

Over the last few years (specifically, since having children) I have come more and more to not like dogs. Today's pet culture is just too absurd for me. The humanizing of animals trend is becoming too much for me to stomach.

Both my parents have ill mannered dogs and I hate visiting with them. And both parents justify this behavior by calling the dogs their babies. Uhh, what about your grandchildren? If my human babies acted like that you would throw a fit!

Animals should not be more important than humans. Period.

The only reason I bring my puggle everywhere is because she is well behaved. I have never had her attack anyone or growl at anyone or do anything to make anyone hate her. She's a very good dog and we barely even notice her when she goes into Lowe's with us. I usually put a blanket in the cart or my coat and she sits in it the whole time I shop.

I'm somebody who spent as much time and money as I could into my dog's training so that my dog would be what I wanted her to be.

I don't understand people who just allow their dogs to do whatever.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I have a puppy mill shi tzu service dog who is now trained to know when I am going to have a seizure and how to help me. He also learned this summer how to run agility course..i was disabled when I thought him this. This can do by a willing dog owner. As for introducing, neutral teratory helps, the dog home owner will always have an advantage. But meet outside and let the dog who lives their lead inside. Then, off leash if you can, let them sniff bums, etc..watch, if it gets aggressive you’ll see hackles come up on the back..this is key...grap them without overreacting..just say a short key word that will be your new key to the dog when she mis behaves..watch Caesar Milan if you can..he uses a scchht sound just to grab attention...then separate and chill the moment...go on with day, try to keep leashes down. Take breaks with dogs in rooms or in cars or in crates...for the DOGS...not you..it is important that they relax and learn that it is not so bad when the other visits and the stress level goes down...and they can have the attention...make sure each other family pays attention to the other dog. And then bring them back together. It’s not the time yet, but down the road it would be a great bond to have them both get treats together. This needs work on both of your parts at the holidays..but it sounds as though you’re going to have to do more of the work at home...it’s not hard as long as you’re willing and take time and persistence..it’s all on utube..I am give you great sites later. For now..focus on these next few..or several holidays because if you don’t put in the effort now, the dogs will become an issue for the long haul....and most importantly enjoy the holidays with your family and you new dog...just take breaks..hey, everyone needs a short break during those long days with family!! Lol. Keep us updated and ask any questions!?

Cesar does more harm then good imo. I have read several books on dog training and watched videos of dog trainers to train our dog. She had several behavior issues when we first got her. Now her only problems are nibbling and jumping up. We are still working on those because she wont do that with me...just other people.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

The only reason I bring my puggle everywhere is because she is well behaved. I have never had her attack anyone or growl at anyone or do anything to make anyone hate her. She's a very good dog and we barely even notice her when she goes into Lowe's with us. I usually put a blanket in the cart or my coat and she sits in it the whole time I shop.

I'm somebody who spent as much time and money as I could into my dog's training so that my dog would be what I wanted her to be.

I don't understand people who just allow their dogs to do whatever.

The cat is actually teaching the dog to be more social. She no longer faces the cat head on. She goes to the side and then sniffs her butt. The problems Ive witnessed with dogs is she wants to go in face first to them instead of a proper greeting