Hard decision: pet owners come in!

katieh704

We have 2 dogs and they are my babies, but ever since LO has been here they have been awful. Peeing on everything of his they can get to, peeing all in his room, and nothing I do will help. I called a couple dog trainers and they all said the same thing, they are threatened by the baby and no guarantee training would even help.

I have tried so hard to find a home for them but can't and am thinking about taking them to the human society (they are a low kill, only will put them down if they have behavioral problem or health issues which they don't). I can't help but feel guilty but I know LO is my number one priority and keeping the house sanitary (not have pee everywhere). If you are a dog owner what would you do? I am in tears just thinking of getting rid of them:(

If you got through that here's a squish pic for your time!

tyedyeme12

I would keep looking around for dog trainers and give it a try. Give your dogs the benefit of the doubt that they can learn.

TXmamatobe

You said you called trainers but have you actually tried training?

Lpegirl2013

I agree with PP! Give training a shot! After X amount of time if there's no progress then consider other options!

katieh704

eldunlap said:

I would try giving it time to work itself out. Many dogs develop cage fright and become very aggressive at pounds when they are usually not. Please don't take them to the pound, can you confine them to a room with a baby gate so you can reintroduce them to LO gradually?

Yes I actually didn't think about baby gates. I can definately try that. The only reason I'm worried is because we have hard wood floor now so accidents are easy enough to clean up but we are moving in 2 weeks to carpet and I don't want to have the place ruined and constantly smelling. I'm not trying to be selfish at all I just don't want LO eventually crawling on pee stained carpets.

katieh704

TXmamatobe said:

You said you called trainers but have you actually tried training?

We haven't yet just because the quotes I have gotten are pretty expensive. I need to keep calling to find something reasonable

alanna7777

Just a thought but maybe sending them to dog daycare or a walker to give them some attention? Don't know the dogs age/size/breed but they could also be bored? Maybe some walks alone with you could help too...our Dane has been more needy since baby came home but has adjusted. I have been walking him which I wasn't doing for awhile because of ice, pregnancy and then recovery from a section. They may miss that one on one time.

katieh704

mrsashleyk said:

eldunlap said:

I would try giving it time to work itself out. Many dogs develop cage fright and become very aggressive at pounds when they are usually not. Please don't take them to the pound, can you confine them to a room with a baby gate so you can reintroduce them to LO gradually?

This. I volunteer at our local animal shelter and they only euthanize aggressive dogs or dogs with a low standard of life. Dogs will develop kennel stress if they are there too long and shelters will euthanize for that reason as they no longer have a good quality of life. Hire a trainer. They may be expensive but it's worth it in the long run.

I'm glad I posted this because I didn't know that at all. Thank you!

greenbeanqueen

I would try everything before I ever considered getting rid of my dog. She is family.

katieh704

Me and SO just talked and are going to invest the money on training them. It's worth the shot. They are great with LO they have never been aggressive so I'm hoping training will fix the problem.

Eta spelling

Whitterpow

The baby isn't mobile yet. I would avoid the floor and keep working at it. Unless one of the dogs gets or seems like it's going to get violent or aggressive, I wouldn't give them up. I would also try to give them some more attention and snuggles when you can.

Edited: autocorrect made me look stupid

MrsC731

I have a 2.5 year old too and since day one with him my two dogs have wanted nothing to do with him. I've considered giving them up so many times but I would never do it. When you get a pet you make a commitment to them for life. So just keep trying. Understand that you are going to have to change some things and your relationship with your pets probably won't be the same but its ok. Also baby gates do work wonders.

katieh704

Whitterpow said:

The baby isn't mobile yet. I would avoid the floor and keep working at it. Unless one of the dogs gets or seems like it's going to get violent or aggressive, I wouldn't give them up. I would also try to give them some more attention and snuggles when you can.

Edited: autocorrect made me look stupid

As you and pp said I think more attention and time will help probably. I know I haven't been as good at giving them my time and attention since LO got here.

pink flamingo

Def. try trying first

ReggieLou13

A pet is a life long commitment. Try the training, take them on walks. When my LO is napping I cuddle on the couch and give love to my dog. She hasn't been on her best behavior either but can you blame them.

please do not abandon your dogs. Be realistic, its highly doubtful they will get adopted. Save their life and finish your commitment. You are all they have. Try anything and everything. I'm sure in time, they will get better.

katieh704

Cashingn2 said:

My Dogs are old and have lots of accidents (one will be 18 in May). I won't be getting rid of either. I already shampoo my carpet weekly and will do it more frequently once she starts crawling.

What do you use to clean the carpets well? I want to have something on hand before we move in

Eta if you have something that works well for you

teacupkat

I agree with everyone, try everything possible before sending them away. But I will share that my SIL had this happen with her westie and my niece. They just didn't get along. They sent the westie to a dog refugee farm. Maybe you could look into that as an alternative to the humane society? Not sure where you are from, so can't say there would be any of that sort of thing around you, honestly I had never heard of them until this happened.

lilypienmessimy

Definitely try the training and look into doggie day care places. My dog goes 3 days a week and it's so good for him! He plays with other dogs for 5 hours and comes home exhausted! I also don't have to worry about him all day which is a great break for both us at home and him too!

katieh704

teacupkat said:

I agree with everyone, try everything possible before sending them away. But I will share that my SIL had this happen with her westie and my niece. They just didn't get along. They sent the westie to a dog refugee farm. Maybe you could look into that as an alternative to the humane society? Not sure where you are from, so can't say there would be any of that sort of thing around you, honestly I had never heard of them until this happened.

I'm in Southern California I don't think anything like that is around!

katieh704

@mrsashleyk that's pretty far I'm in Orange County! Thanks though!!

cammyisagirlsname

My girl dog annoys the shit out of me since LO is here. But she's my first baby so I wouldn't ever think of getting rid of her! Though I may or may not have told her that I'm gonna get rid of her several times. Ha!

lp0

hswan91011 said:

mrssturm45 said:

Try the training. With anything there is a risk it may not work, but I think you should try it. Also as PP said a baby gate would keep them out of the baby's room.

This! Mine are my babies too and unless they acted like they would hurt DD I wouldn't consider getting rid of them.

This! My male dog started acting up in my third tri. He is suddenly marking DS's toys and grocery bags left on the kitchen floor. I made sure I removed what I thought he'd mark and it stopped for a while. Then the other day he walked into our living room and right in front of me marked DS's play tent/tent. I don't know why after 3 years he's suddenly doing this but I definitely wouldn't consider giving him away. I understand you need to keep a clean house and baby is now priority number one but you have a commitment to your pets and owe it to them to try everything (like training). GL!

KFED103

We have one of these steam vacs. Works great dealing with accidents

BeachMommy2B

OP, I am on the opposite side of everyone else. If it were me, i personally would get rid of them if my pets were peeing on LOs things. SO give his cat to his mom before LO got here, and although I love animals I am loving not having animals in the house.

Maybe you could find a family member that would want to take your dogs that could spend more time with them. Just a thought, it worked for us.

Good Luck.

onewayticket

I wouldn't give them up. Is there a family member that can take them? Maybe build a dog house outside and keep them outside (unless your somewhere freezing). I would also at lease give training a shot.

katieh704

KFED103 said:

We have one of these steam vacs. Works great dealing with accidents

Thanks!

Lyzza350

When you get a pet it becomes your responsibility. You don't send it to a shelter because it misbehaves are you kidding? So far you said nothing about it being a danger to your lo, so don't say you are getting rid of them because "lo is your first priority." Unbelievable.

sugarjack

Clearly these dogs are not your babies if you are considering putting them in ANY kind of kill shelter (low kill or not).  Here's other options:

Put wood floors in the new place. . .
Don't move to a place with carpet. . .
Invest in a spot bot. . .
Take your dogs on walks with the baby in a stroller twice a day  (I do this. . sometimes I use the bjorn though)
Make sure that EVERY time your SO or DH has the baby you are petting and loving up your doggies
Take your dogs to bed with you so they bond with you at night while the baby is in the crib.
CLOSE the baby's room door 
Put the dog bed in the baby's room and take a nap with your dog on the floor next to the dog bed with the baby in the crib
Use the internet to find a pet rescue and drive your dog to the rescue if you get desperate (and know that at some day you will have to explain to your kid why you got rid of your dogs. . .very poor modeling for yourchild of commitment)

Sorry for flaming on you. . .I just work with a rescue and have picked up too many basset hounds from people who don't want to for fill their commitments.

My baby and dogs belong to our pack. . . PERIOD.

sugarjack

Here's a reasonable trainer in your area.  I know her personally.

https://www.barktobasicstraining.com/


Again, sorry for flaming earlier, I'm just super passionate about this issue.

There will also be 100s of no kill pet rescues near your area in April

https://petexpooc.org/2013/06/americas-family-pet-expos-2014-date/

sorry it's not clicky.

katieh704

Lyzza350 said:

When you get a pet it becomes your responsibility. You don't send it to a shelter because it misbehaves are you kidding? So far you said nothing about it being a danger to your lo, so don't say you are getting rid of them because "lo is your first priority." Unbelievable.

When I say LO is my first priority I mean because I am not going to have my child crawling on pee covered floors and not to mentioned if they decided to poop and he got a hold of it. I posted this asking for advice to find other options because I said I DIDNT want to take them there

katieh704

sugarjack said:

Here's a reasonable trainer in your area.  I know her personally.

https://www.barktobasicstraining.com/


Again, sorry for flaming earlier, I'm just super passionate about this issue.

There will also be 100s of no kill pet rescues near your area in April

https://petexpooc.org/2013/06/americas-family-pet-expos-2014-date/

sorry it's not clicky.

I actually called and set up something with a trainer a couple hours ago but I'll check her out! Thanks

Lyzza350

katieh704 said:

Lyzza350 said:

When you get a pet it becomes your responsibility. You don't send it to a shelter because it misbehaves are you kidding? So far you said nothing about it being a danger to your lo, so don't say you are getting rid of them because "lo is your first priority." Unbelievable.

When I say LO is my first priority I mean because I am not going to have my child crawling on pee covered floors and not to mentioned if they decided to poop and he got a hold of it. I posted this asking for advice to find other options because I said I DIDNT want to take them there

That it was even thought of as an option is disgusting to me. And if you don't want your kid on pee...clean it. Duh.

Lyzza350

@cashing2 That's how I feel about it. There is no excuse. She brought up the topic and this is what I think. Why should I temper my answer...Anyway I stand by what I wrote. Animals aren't possessions to be discarded when you are done with them. They are living breathing beings that shouldn't be thrown out with the trash.

lba0614

I personally wouldnt put up with my dog peeing in the house due to being threatened by lo. I also personally wouldnt be able to afford training, so if it was me i would do my best to find a friend or family member to take the dog.

Also there is a no kill shelter near me but i realize you dont have that option.

I just wanted to say i can see the other side of this, because i wouldnt keep my dog if she wouldnt stop peeing in the house and i couldnt train her myself. Good luck and i hope training works out, but if not you should make the best decision for your lo.