Do you keep a dog you can't trust with your kid?

[Tiki108]

Also to add to what I said there are certain dogs that have problems and should be put down to protect everyone, it sounds harsh, but there's a difference between a dog defending itself and attacking. Good example is on another fourm I'm on a girl showed us pictures of herself after a dog attack. Basically it was her friend's dog, it came up to her and rolled over on it's back and looked at her, as if to ask for a tummy rub, when she went to do so, killbite to her face. That's very different than a dog that was abused and is scared, this dog went into a submissive position that in dog language shows submission and trust, then attacked. Something is very wrong in a case like that and the dog could be mentally unstable, just as some humans are born with mental disorders there have been cases of animals with mental problems, these may not be fixable and in situations like that, the dog should be euthanized as hard as it is.

 

[Blondiechic]

I must have read the initial question wrong since I didn't see anything about the dog randomly attacking her child. Rather being excited about the ball.
Dogs like all annals command respect for them and common sense around them. All very easy to be doom and gloom and have stories. Maybe try to focus on a positive outcome for a change.

 

[dainerra]

she also stated that the dog had gone for a niece's face on a previous occasion.

And that the dog has a long history of fear issues around people. Most owners seem to forget that not every dog realizes that children are little humans. They don't look like humans. They don't sound like humans. They don't smell, move, or act like humans. Yes, most dogs will recognize that they are "babies" but they don't realize that kids aren't puppies and some dogs will treat them like puppies (which means nips for being annoying). Owners don't realize that even a dog that has been good with children can bite later. Not because they suddenly don't like the child but because they think that the "puppy" is old enough to learn some manners.

There are a lot of things that go into having a dog and children. It's not "hard" it's just a matter of keeping a constant watch. Kids and dogs aren't alone together. If you have a dog with a known history, then it gets more complicated. If you can't trust the dog when you are RIGHT THERE, then no. I wouldn't keep the dog.

The problem comes with "what do you do with the dog?" In this litigious society, you can be sued if the dog bites someone in it's new home. Also, it takes a very experienced person to find a good home that knows how to handle a potentially aggressive dog. But, you can't make use of the expertise of rescues because they won't open themselves to the liability with an aggressive dog.

 

[Tiki108]

I must have read the initial question wrong since I didn't see anything about the dog randomly attacking her child. Rather being excited about the ball.
Dogs like all annals command respect for them and common sense around them. All very easy to be doom and gloom and have stories. Maybe try to focus on a positive outcome for a change.

I was more talking in general about dogs when I went on my little rant. Animals do need to be respected, but some need to respect you, such as horses and dogs. While I'm not a professional dog trainer or anything several have told me that there are some dogs that just are not right, be it from genetics, a disorder, or the way they were raised; those are the kind that are a danger to everyone around them and need to be put down, sounds harsh, but it's for the best.

 

[arabianequine]

I agree Stephanie739....I dont agree with putting him down. I think that is the easy way out and not human to the dog at all. It is the owners responsibility to care for their animals.

I would never do that....but that is just me.

I hope op you are able to figure out a resolution for this situation that is fair to the dog.

I don't believe it is cruel to have him stay outside with the proper care and shelter, especially if he has visitors. Its a dog! Fence him in, give him a good doghouse and some company, he will be fine as the child grows.

 

[arabianequine]

Exactly they can take him out for walks/runs. When the child is sleeping or in a different area where dog cant get to the child.

We will just have to disagree here. I didn't say put him in a 4x4 kennel and forget he exists. If he has a large run and can be visited by the child through the fence, as well as taken out whenever possible, given extra care during cold months, he will adjust just fine. I recall reading that there is another dog in the family which would be devastated if this dog left. Well the older dog will be good company in the run when appropriate.

 

[arabianequine]

Why is everyone so eager to kill? I dont understand it. I am an animal lover and as a owner of animals if one of mine was in this situation. I would not take the easy chicken crap way out! Very heartless and inhumane imo.

I mean we are basically talking about either killing the dog or figuring out what else might work.

 

[dainerra]

easy way out?? seriously? It makes me wonder if you have ever spent weeks agonizing and crying over the decision to put down a dog. A dog that can't be trusted is next to IMPOSSIBLE to rehome. Even if you do find someone willing to take the dog, the original owner has to think about their potential liability issues (that is why rescues won't take a dog that isn't good with people). Other shelters will simply take the dog and have it euthanized.

A dog that can't be trusted is also next to impossible to live with. Why? Because we are human. Our body language gives off fear and distrust. This is upsetting to the dog who doesn't know what danger is making Mom so nervous. This causes distrust and behavior problems in the dog. Which leads to further distrust from the person.
Can some people handle it? Of course they can. But it requires a lot of time and money, something that not everyone is willing to invest.

If the OP is willing to spend the time to work with this dog - at least several hours a week in at-home exercise and training in addition to as classes with a behaviorist and trainer(another hour or so a week) - and the money - a good behaviorist with a track record of helping dogs with reactivity issues is going to run $200 or so depending on your area - then yes. She will also need to invest in a secure kennel that will allow ZERO access to children. That includes being designed that children can't approach the fence. My point was not that she shouldn't work with the dog. It was that, if she DOESN'T feel safe with the dog, euthanize him rather than pass the problem on to someone else. It is much more humane to give him a peaceful ending with the family he trusts than to let him live out his last days scared and alone. Especially since this dog has issues being afraid of strangers.

 

[FireTigeris]

The local Humane Society here runs 'cheap' (well cheaper) behavior classes, as they want people to keep animals.

$95 for a 7 week group class
$80 for a 6 week level 2 group classes,
$50.00 an hour for one on one
$75 an hour one on one with issues...

Maybe there's a group there that does that too-

 

[Mskayladog]

I had a spastic paranoid rescue chow rotti mix. He had a cage in another room he learned when he was stressed to go to it. Yiu could see the relief in his face he felt safe and knew no one would bother him. He was wonderful with the grandkids and if the kids would get rowdy Butch would remove himself and go to his cage or I could say cage butch and he would go to his cage.
He passed away in his sleep. He was a good dog.
If he did not have a safe place..no doubt we would have had to put him down. I never ever let the grandkids play in his cage like they could crawl in and out of the other dogs cage.
Wonder if you could set a safe place up for you mix someplace quite