my new favorite show is "the dog whisperer." first of all, i absolutely love dogs, so any show with dogs is good to me. but what i really love is that the show often deals with "last chance" dogs-- dogs that their owners don't know what to do with, and are considering euthanasia. the dog whisperer swoops in, "trains the owner", rehabilitates the dog, and saves the day. i love it.
but with that in mind, some of these dogs (pre-rehabilitation) are REALLY messed up... and that in and of itself makes me wonder at what point the "last chance" arrives. when a dog wont stop barking? when s/he attacks a stranger? a growl, a nip, a bite? what if it's someone's kid? what if it's your own kid? or, what if it's someone else's dog that your kid is around-- would you want to see the dog euthanized if it attacked someone (Esp your kid)?
i know there are people who feel really strongly about pets, and this post isn't to start a war over whether it's better to get rid of a dog (or any other pet) or not... this is a completely hypothetical "what would you do" situation. thoughts?
Re: "there's no such thing as a BAD dog..."
I think truly dangerous dogs are rare.
Certainly, a dog who has bitten someone should be managed with the bite history in mind, and not everyone will be an appropriate caretaker for such a dog.
Young kids and dogs should always be supervised, for the dog's sake as well as the child's.
And finally, I really don't want to get into a big argument about it (been there, done that) but I really dislike Cesar Milan.
also not to get into an arguement, but i really don't like cesar milan either! his attitude towards humans bothers me, but i still love watching him work with dogs!
I keep a watchful eye on my dog around strangers and he's almost always on leash. I warn kids that he is enthusiastic and will jump and may mouth at them (may seem like biting, but it's not - he's just mouthy). We will train him not to use his mouth on our kids (as he usually doesn't on us) and we will train our kids to treat him respectfully.
My job as the responsible owner is to get him trained, keep an eye on him, know his boundaries and keep him out of situations that have potential for disaster altogether. If something were to happen, we'd take appropriate steps to get him trained and make sure he wasn't in that situation again.
But he would never attack unprovoked. I do warn people away from things I think he might interpret as threats (like grabbing his toys away from his mouth - he'll lunge and snap at the toy, and that might result in a nipped hand), and don't allow people to approach him without first ascertaining that they know what they are doing.
Gabriel Ross - August 24, 2009 * Vivienne Rose - May 1, 2012
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i'm sorry i didn't mean to make you want to cry! i hope you find a great home for your dog... is it aggressive problems, or behavioral (like super hyper and destructive)? my sister lives in VA, i can give her a heads up on a black lab!
I just hate these talks so don't even know why I get into them. BUT a responsible pet owner needs to train both the dog and child that there are boundaries. I never saw a dog attack something when not provoked or scared or territorial. All of which can be overcome with some work for both child and dog from the begining.
After 7 years trying to concieve, 3 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs, my third IVF was a success!
My Christmas baby turned into a turkey bird! Dillon Richard was born at 34 weeks, 5 days on November 28, 2009 after 10 weeks on bedrest for preeclampsia.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v705/arriinthere/PJ/?action=view
1) I was severely mauled by a dog when I was 2.5, to the point of nearly losing my life. That dog was put to sleep the next day. Even if Cesar were around at that point, he would NOT have been called.
2) My dog used to be very dangerous, particularly around strangers. After biting DH's uncle, and two neighbors, and a pizza delivery guy, and killing my mom's beloved bird, we called our local Cesar Milan. LET ME TELL YOU, Gracie is a miracle dog. She has NO problems with anyone anymore.. she's still protective of her home, but shows no signs of aggression and everyone who meets her, LOVES her. She's also simply amazing with kids. I am SOOO GLAD we didn't give up on her, she's the best thing that's happened to our family.
With me having a high risk pregnancy one of the things I have to avoid is being on my feet longer than 30-60 minutes. I can't walk the dog, or do much of anything with him so DH has had to do everything not to mention we have a 3 year old who he has to pick up and take care of while I feel super bad being stuck to the couch. And DH has been pulling the weight with the housework and such. Pup was supposed to start training this weekend but DS can't go and DH doesn't have the energy anymore. Poor dog isn't getting enough exercise or attention. I feel super bad but I know there is a great home for him somewhere. He was pick of litter, paid $2,000 for him and I really want him to be in a good home with people who can spend alot of time with him and such.
Please consider trying to learn how to prevent & manage dog/baby issues before you do this.
I don't really want to go there with pinkprincess's post, TBH. I'll just leave that one alone and that's probably enough said.
?
I am sorry you are having a difficult pregnancy but that is no reason to get rid of your dog. Get a dog walker, have a friend help you out or send the pup to doggy daycare. I am sure your dog would much rather have less?exercise and attention?than be given up. You and your husband?committed?to this dog for life, not until it became inconvenient.?
Also, if the dog came from a decent breeder, s/he will take him back and find an appropriate home. ?
Shoulda never even started.... BUT first off we DO have a dog walker, Second off, I got a paycut after we found out I was pg so I can't afford a dog daycare where I live, and thirdly, no offense to all of the dog owners but my children do come before my animals. I personally do not think I am doing the wrong thing. Unfortunately yes we got this animal thinking it would be a lifetime commitment and now are not able to care for him.
Didn't you research the amount of activity your dog needs before getting him? He is a puppy for God sake - didn't you take into consideration how difficult raising a child, puppy and being pregnant would be? Plus potential problems that could arise?
R.E.S.P.O.N.S.I.B.I.L.I.T.Y - at least stop making excuses and say "yeah I suck and I will never be an irresposable dog owner again"
After 7 years trying to concieve, 3 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs, my third IVF was a success!
My Christmas baby turned into a turkey bird! Dillon Richard was born at 34 weeks, 5 days on November 28, 2009 after 10 weeks on bedrest for preeclampsia.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v705/arriinthere/PJ/?action=view
I COMPLETELY agree. ?That is what I meant by extra obedience training, I do not think it's okay to trade a furbaby for a real baby. ?Both mine and DH's family think we should "get rid of the dog" now, but she is all I've got once DH deploys!!! ?She belongs to us. ?We belong to her, we are family!!! ?You don't get rid of family. ?
Sorry I wasn't clear about that in my PP. ?But I definitely plan on doing all I can do before we would consider re-homing her. ?
First off.. Like I said I took a paycut and we are having a hard time paying bills right now so back off on the money thing. Secondly I wasn't pregnant when we got this dog, bleeding and cramping several times a day, going to work risking my own baby's life to make ends meet.
What's funny is... you are sitting here telling me that even though you wouldn't be able to care for your animal you would want your husband to do so by himself, tend to a child, by himself, do the cooking, cleaning everything by himself, work 50 hours a week? Please take your previous post and shove it! Thank you
I always thought if our dog snarled at DD we would give him to my parent or ILs, but it's also important to teach your kids boundaries with pets. We have to keep a close eye on them when they interact to make sure she's not poking her fingers in his eyes or mouth and tell her how to behave with him.
I had a dog when I was a kid who was the sweetest with me and my brothers, played with us, protected us and all that. We got him when I was only 2. A cousin (4yr old) came over for dinner and stuck her hand in his bowl while he was eating and he bit her & she needed stitches. We kept him of course and he was the perfect dog with us and everyone else after that.
No, what I am telling you is you should have PLANNED better. Was this child unplanned? Did the economy just start sucking today? If the answer is no to both these questions, you didn't plan very well did you? By asking a few "what if" questions before running to the breeder all could be prevented. You could throw away $2000 on a disposable animal, but you didn't do any research before spending the 2k to see that maybe, just maybe a black Lab may require a ton of work and maybe if having a second child you might be in a position to not be ready for the dog at this point in your life. Dogs are awfully cute when you look at them on TV, but they require as much work as a newborn child does. You would have known that if you did the research.
I would not have gotten a puppy in the situation you got a puppy in.
No, I will not shove it. Because IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, I make perfect sense. But you don't think and that is your problem!
And if we found ourselves in the position you are in with my 7 year old dog. You BET my husband would work a little harder. Because we made a COMMITMENT to this dog when we brought her home.
After 7 years trying to concieve, 3 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs, my third IVF was a success!
My Christmas baby turned into a turkey bird! Dillon Richard was born at 34 weeks, 5 days on November 28, 2009 after 10 weeks on bedrest for preeclampsia.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v705/arriinthere/PJ/?action=view
No didn't plan to have another child at this time, in fact we weren't supposed to have children at all... battling cervical cancer supposably depleting my chances. guess they were wrong. Oh and no I didn't plan on getting a pay cut. FYI - why don't you go attack those that send their dogs to the pound or send their dogs to be put asleep. Wow the nerve of some.
Assuming he came from a good, responsible breeder, you very likely have a clause in your contract specifying that you return the pup to the breeder if you can't care for him. Please do that over trying to place him yourself.
If my dog was a threat to my child I would absolutely rehome him/her.
However, if you're really not willing or able to care for the dog, like people mentioned above, please do the responsible thing and return him to the breeder.
Just so everyone knows.... I just got off of the phone with our breeder who will take our pup back to be with his mom/dad/brothers/sisters and wanted to use him to breed?
I also spoke with our dog walker who has offered to "house" him during pregnancy and train him if we allow her to breed him with her lab. She is also a breeder.
Not sure what we are going to do yet, but I will make sure not to let anyone know. I already have one a**hole thank you.
Oh dear. You should not have posted this. Hopefully no one's still reading.
Please NEVER get a dog again. or any pet for that matter.
I am very sorry that I was still reading. EXCELLENT idea, breed your dog so there can be other owners like you that dont want to properly take care of them.
I have 2 fish that I take very good care of thank you.
LMAO this is great. A bunch of pregnant women attacking the h*ll out of me for trying to do the right thing with my pup.
After 7 years trying to concieve, 3 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs, my third IVF was a success!
My Christmas baby turned into a turkey bird! Dillon Richard was born at 34 weeks, 5 days on November 28, 2009 after 10 weeks on bedrest for preeclampsia.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v705/arriinthere/PJ/?action=view
Um hello... I am not breeding a damn thing. If a breeder wants to freakin breed dogs then go for it. They are responsible people, otherwise they wouldn't be given whatever they need to be an accredited breeder or whatever. People do that for a living in case you weren't aware.
:::slams head on desk:::
Yep I knew about 3 posts ago you were a dipsh!t, thanks for sealing it for me. My mom told me never to argue with a moron, so I am out here. Have a good day...
After 7 years trying to concieve, 3 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs, my third IVF was a success!
My Christmas baby turned into a turkey bird! Dillon Richard was born at 34 weeks, 5 days on November 28, 2009 after 10 weeks on bedrest for preeclampsia.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v705/arriinthere/PJ/?action=view
Actually, people who do it for a living are NOT responsible. Dog breeding is NOT a profitable occupation for people who are doing it properly - they do it for the love & improvement of the breed and they are usually happy to break even. It sounds like you've got two awesome BYBs on your hands, yay. More puppies headed for the shelters.
Damn, I didn't want to get dragged into this one.
Agreed.
Seriously... I would love to be able to keep my dog even though right now I can't do much with him. Question is... is it healthy for him. posting something on a thread where one will come into contact with avid dog lovers was NOT a good idea.
And for the person who called me a dipshit.... I hope your dog takes a giant leak in your shoe and then craps on your floor. Am I being stupid? No. Childish? Ehh maybe a bit.
Umm I was the one who called you a dipshit and my dog would never piss in my shoe or crap on the floor... She is well trained and loved. Unlike your dog, unfortunately.
After 7 years trying to concieve, 3 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs, my third IVF was a success!
My Christmas baby turned into a turkey bird! Dillon Richard was born at 34 weeks, 5 days on November 28, 2009 after 10 weeks on bedrest for preeclampsia.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v705/arriinthere/PJ/?action=view
Hey noone said my dog was not trained, or loved. wanna give me your address so that I can send him on over to piss in your shoe and crap on your floor for your dog?
ah, i feel like i should post since i started this (and then had to go to a meeting, and then went home, and then took a nap, and now am reading all of this).
it's my personal opinion that no one has a right to judge anyone else's situation. this post was not intended to be about what is right and wrong that OTHER people do, it was what would YOU do. i am proud of the women who posted whatever it is that is true for them. do i agree with it? not always. do i have to? not at all. it's a forum, it's for exchanging opinions.
i thank God every day for what I have... a wonderful husband, a baby on the way, and a sweet yet slightly obnoxious border collie. i love this family with all my heart. but i also know that there are some things in life that you just can't plan for. horrible things happen to good people. responsible people. and if someone is making a decision that i think they should really reconsider, i'm going to try to find a way to tell them in the most constuctive way possible. i'm going to listen to their situation and try to sympathize and try to offer solutions or alternatives. but if all else fails, it's not my decision to make.
and sometimes i think everyone can be in a situation that they never wanted to be in, making a decision they never wanted to make.
for anyone considering getting rid of a dog, i think there were some legitimet suggestions made throughout these postings, and i hope these are taken into consideration.