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December 2010 Moms
lindseybell3
member
Why do they have to make it smell so good if you can't eat it??
Grandparents with potentially dangerous dogs
lindseybell3
member
I've been MIA from this board for forever (my 2nd is now 7 wks old) but I have an issue that I've been dealing with for a long time that I need objective advice about:
My parents own 2 dobermans, both adopted from a rescue. One of them has displayed signs of aggression towards humans... charges, growls but hasn't actually bitten (that we know of). They've had him for about 5 yrs. The other has displayed aggression only towards other dogs (growl when they come near her on the couch). They've only had her for 2 years.
I've grown up with this breed of dog... we've owned them since I was 15. My parents have no rules for their dogs... they lounge on the couch, cruise the counters for food, eat off of ppl's plates. When we are over, I've made it very clear that the dogs make me uncomfortable and they're usually OK about penning the one that has been aggressive towards humans but won't do anything about the other one and they make it clear that they think I'm being ridiculous. They live with my brother and his GF who have a 1 yr old daughter. She constantly posts pics and videos on FB of the little girl feeding these dogs from the table, being outside with them while they run around and bark wildly, etc. My parents feel like: see, nothing's ever happened, as if this means nothing would happen. My niece JUST started walking as well.
I feel extremely uncomfortable with the situation and have made my feelings pretty clear, but they can't or won't see my point of view. I have 2 dogs too (a pug and a beagle) so they think I'm being a hypocrite since I let my dogs be around the kids all the time, but they have very clear rules. They are caged when we eat, they are disciplined when they bark, etc. Of course we have rules for my son about how he treats them as well, but he's 2 and doesn't always listen.
It's really affected my relationship with my parents and their relationship with their grandsons. In every other way, they are great wonderful with my kids. THey don't live far away and I'd love to use them as babysitters more. I know it hurts their feelings that I don't but I just can't relax about this situation. Am I being unfair? I want to go away for a night for my bday in July with just my husband but I'm already freaking out about the prospect of leaving the kids with them. I also have a wedding in September (nearer to their house so the kids would stay there) and I'm so afraid that the moment I leave it'll be the normal free for all with the dogs and I'm terrified that my son will get a bite. I just don't know what to do. Advice?
Why do they have to make it smell so good if you can't eat it??
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Grandparents with potentially dangerous dogs
I had the same exp. with my parents with the dog they had when J was born. He got more and more jealous and once tried to bite after him (J was about 6 months I think) - so they put him down.
They now have a new dog, which is more calm (a beatle)
I would be quite uncomfortable as well. There have been far far too many stories of dogs that had never shown any aggression suddenly killing or mauling a child. And both of your parent's dogs have shown aggression. I would have them
I don't trust one of my parents family dogs. Shes a medium breed, terrier cross. We've had her since she was like 8 weeks old but shes always been very food agressive. And since shes gotten older, shes been crotchety too. My par
My personal opinion is that when children are around a dog, they should ALWAYS be supervised closely. Even very gentle dogs will snap at a baby if threatened - they are ANIMALS. Sorry, humans come first.
You have every right to feel the way you
I'm a huge dog lover (ok, crazy dog lady, probably), but I agree that it sounds like you have reason to be uncomfortable. I think kids and dogs can coexist together...even dogs that may have some issues... but they have to be supervised, situations hav
GrayGhost: I'd love to get a behaviorist involved but they would never, ever go for that. They have no interest in changing things; I think they like to baby their dogs as much as they do. They don't respect my opinion at all because they t
Bummer...I agree if they're not interested in changing things, there's not much you can do.
If leaving the dogs home when they come to your house is a problem, could they go to doggie daycare? One of my dogs has separation anxiety, so we use dayc
I am a dog lover, raised with German Shepherds...love them most of all, currently we have 2 big dogs, a Pittie and a Malamute. My dogs are NEVER alone with my kids, they are never even around my kids if I am there but distracted. It is my job to k