Rescued dog *Pic* (Keep?)

[ajablu]

I would never take in a grown large breed dog with childen in my home. Sorry, this is something I feel strongly about. You dont know the background of the dog. I have known too many people who made this mistake and had children bitten or attacked by the dog they took in. I would even be cautious of smaller dogs if their backgrounds were unknown. My children mean to much to me to risk over any dog. Sometimes the dogs acted fine for some time and then it would happen suddenly after the dog started to feel comfortable enough to show its normal behavior. If you read statistics on dog fatalities you will see many happened to innocent children by grown dogs their parents took in. Never risk your child. Its not worth it for any dog. Sorry this is my honest opinion. It happened to my own sister.
Thank God she survived. I was also bitten by the dog. It was an approximately 1 year old dog my Dad adopted that was a stray. Since that time I have known several other families who made that same mistake.

 

[saxet]

I am sorry that your sister got bitten Ajablu

But to blame that on a dogs size or unknown past is not fair. Good dogs, bad dogs, they come in all shapes and sizes. It comes in some breeds more than others and it happens to some children because they never learned how to act around dogs to begin with. Not meaning that you or your sister did something wrong as a child, but too many times, owners and dogs do not speak the same language. Parents should indeed never leave small children with an dog, I don't care what size, until the child really really knows the rules. One of the easiest rules to implement around kids is to tell them to never approach the dog, and always let it be the dogs initiative. That way, the dog has an out if the child becomes too pushy. And yes, there are dogs that are reactive, but they will also tend to be that way around adults. One should mostly see trouble coming in those cases. JMHO

 

[SarahFair]

Smaller dogs are more likely to attack

I brought an adult GSD into my home with my (at the time) couple month old and 2 year old son. We never had a problem.
Sure I watched her interact with them and my other dog but I just let her know who was the dominant one in the house and also that my children were over my dogs as well.

My two year old (lord help him) is in a stage where he thinks the dogs are horses and tries to ride them. The dogs may grunt a little but have never snapped or growled at them. Usually the dogs get up and move or come hide under my feet.


You just let that dog know whos boss and dont leave you child around it alone

 

[NewHopePoultry]

I havent and wont leave him alone with ym daughter.
For the most part he is outside all day (his choice) and only comes in at night and even then he is put up in a room.
No one wants to take in a dog this size, so we are making the best we can with him.
He is super smart, and Ive already taught him stay.

Smaller dogs attack just as much (in not more) as larger dogs, but those stories rarely make it to the news. I feel better with her around larger dogs then most small dogs.

 

[Why and Dotte]

I'm glad he's working out for you

Always good to see a dog saved from a shelter.
saxet I agree with you 100%

Sometimes the dogs acted fine for some time and then it would happen suddenly after the dog started to feel comfortable enough to show its normal behavior.

That's why she's watching him, I had a dog turn from angel to terror and it was because we didn't know better and trusted her within the week she showed up.

I've been attacked by small dogs, two tiny black pomeranians they're nuts.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Let me say thank you for taking in this dog. And yes you should keep him.

We rescued a Black Lab (at 2 years of age) who is now a charrished member of this family. He loves everyone and has never been 1 ounce threatening to anyone. He cam here and was a little crazy after being tied to a tree for the first 2 years of his life. He did not stop panting for over a week. But by week 3, he was sleeping in our bed and completely settled in. We have since found out from neighbors of the previous owner that he had been kicked, beaten, gone without food for days and completely neglected. But today, he is an awesome family pet.

On another note, we have friends who had a Golden Retriever (got at 8 weeks) that ended up attacking an 8 year old girl and she required 300+ stiches in her face. My point is that any breed can be a bad dog.

You are doing the right thing. Be cautious, never let the dog dominate you or your kids and you will have an excellent friend for years to come.

Thanks again for your loving heart!

 

[laturcotte1]

There are no coincidences, everything happens for a reason, just go with it, you will see it will be worth it in the end.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Thanks everyone

So far he is fitting in great, but he has yet to see my mice (hopefully he wont at all) I have too much money in my mice for them to be a snack.
My husband is still abit iffy becouse we already have so many other animals, but so far Buddy hasnt gave him a reason to have any doubt about him.
He listens good and we have been working on "stay"
Im planning on taking him to the river to let him play since he loves water.
I checked his feet and they are webbed.
He is starting to warm up and jump more then he did before, but we are working on that.

I actually do alot of rescue work, so I know all about training him,etc but this the first time Ive had the same dog twice which is why I am leaning towards keeping him.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Webbed..................feet...................newfoundland, right?? Loves water, faithful breed, HUGE, very friendly..........................

 

[babyblue]

I too am extreamly leary of ANY adult or even half grown dog I dont know the history to. have a friend that nearly died and still has life long scars from her parents taking in a super super sweet dog that apparently got black out crazy scared during thunderstorms. that being said I for one think life in an outdoor kenel, fed and taken for a walk is a better life then many many dogs ever get. so even if he isnt the perfect dog around tiny kids or livestock I would keep him penned till the baby is bigger and always keep him away from the lifestock.