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Dog Concern

mmebus00mmebus00 member
in 3rd Trimester
Hi everyone!

I am 38 weeks pregnant and my husband and I have three dogs one of them I am truly concerned about. Golden (Cooper), French Bulldog mix(Chloe) and a Rescue dog(Luke) that is mixed breed maybe lab/hound or something. We have only had Luke for a few years and there has been dominance issues with him and our older male dog Cooper. They get into fights a lot and constantly growl. Since I have been pregnant there has been some extreme hard to handle situations with our dog Luke that I am truly concerned about for our baby's safety. Just a few months a go when we took him to the vet(been there few other times same one no issues) and they had to bring him back to us to muzzle him because he attacked the vet assistant!! I was shocked as I've never had a dog do that! Then a month ago we had a "Huggies and Chuggies" Party for family and friends to bring diapers and we provided food/drinks. One of our close friends son, Ryder came and he is only about 7 years old. My husband let the dogs out to go to the bathroom and Ryder wanted to play with Luke specifically. I wasn't out there to see what exactly happened, but my Father in Law was and said he was just trying to play with Luke when he attacked him and lightly bit his arm. I didn't see any blood but I could tell where it had left a mark on Ryders arm and I was so upset!! Ryders dad was so calm and really didn't want me to be uspet since he said Ryder probably scared him because he was trying to get down on and play with him. I truly can't think of any excuse for him to attack people no matter what even if he is scared I just don't find that as an excuse as none of our other dogs has EVER attacked anyone. I am not sure if he is like this because of his previous owners or what.  After this whole fiasco my parents said they would take him and find him a good home if they couldn't keep him at their house for good. My Father in law didn't think this was good either since he knows how he is and tried to talk to it with my husband to take my parents up on their offer but he said no. Every time I mention something to my husband about Luke's actions he says he is our dog now we are not getting rid of him period. I honestly think it is because he is an avid follower for animal rescues and doesn't want to be categorized in the group where people give up their animals. I truly do not feel safe with him around kids and especially once we have our baby! I don't know what to do because I can't get through to my husband and I am having a hard time dealing with this now and our son isn't even here yet to take care too. I am truly an animal lover too but I really feel this dog maybe better in a different home/environment. My father in law and mom/dad seem to agree it might be best for my mom to take him and maybe find something better for him if they can't keep him. If anyone has any advice please let me know as I am desperate for guidance and so emotional about all this.

Thank you.
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Re: Dog Concern

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  • RedBaramidRedBaramid member
    I'm going to have to agree with a vet and behaviorist.  Also I'd be digging into that dog's past as much as I could to find out if he's had other problems.  I wouldn't give up an animal unless it was truly a desperate situation. I think since you have family willing to take him if push comes to shove you should give this guy every chance possible. Who knows, maybe there is something small that in the midst of all the crazy of being pregnant and having a growing family that you have over looked that a behaviorist might catch.
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  • jessandmike2013jessandmike2013 member
    Giving up on this dog would break my heart. But if it truly
    Must happen, please put in some serious mileage to find him a new and very permanent forever home... Someone who can handle him no matter what the circumstance/challenge. It's very hard on animals to be bounced around. Good luck to you.
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  • katiefritzlerkatiefritzler member
    Dogs sometimes act weird when they're around someone they have known for a while who is pregnant. I know this is kinda different, but my mom's dog used to play and wrestle me like we were litter mates. Now when he sees me he doesn't like me touching him and he will avoid me at all costs; he'll even hide in his crate when I'm over to avoid me! This could be part of your dog's behaviour. He feels like he's not going to be focused on because there's a baby coming. I'm not sure, I don't know enough about dogs. Just a thought.
    ~~~My baby girl is due November 4th, 2014~~~
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  • carryon23carryon23 member
    edited August 2014

    We had to re-home our lab after DS was born in 2012.  She was placed with a good friend who has college age kids.  This was after 2+ years of vet visits, medication (prozac), and a trainer.  She was ok when DD was born in 2010, but started becoming very aggressive towards our older lab (who has since passed) in the months to follow.  She would  growl DH and snap at the kids through the baby gate (they were never allowed in the same room together). We had her for 7 years (adopted at 7 weeks old). It was not an easy decision, but we tried everything.  I couldn't imagine if she ever tried attacking DD or DS.....

    Good Luck - But I do agree this should have been delt with prior to 38 weeks along....
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  • mkw1013mkw1013 member
    I am a big animal lover and seriously hate when people give up there pets when they have a baby but thats only if the dog is an inconvenience to them. This dog isnt a inconvenience he is dangerous. You said it yourself you dont trust him around children. How is it going to be when you have a baby crawling around. I think you seriously need to do some training with him and see a behaviorist. But i think you need to think of your family and baby first and if this dog has already bitten two people then whos to say he wont do it again. Im sure he is a great dog but just shouldnt be around children. I think it is best to give up an animal if you are not the best home for him. He may do better in another home with less stress.
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  • Pitterpatter44Pitterpatter44 member
    edited August 2014
    Probably not a popular opinion on this thread, but I also think you need to think about how much time and energy you will physically have to deal with this situation this late in the game.  Newborns take ALL of your time.  It's not fair to your dog, who is clearly stressed and unhappy, for you to keep putting off training and help, just because everyone says you'll be a horrible person if you let him go live with your parents, where he'll likely be much less stressed and the center of attention (however, do consider what happens in a year or so, when you're visiting them with a toddler, if the dog still has not received training). 

    While I agree that everything should be done to help the dog adjust to life with you, in the end, you can't just worry about what everyone thinks about you and your decision.  Put aside your guilt and do what's best for the dog AND your family AND your sanity. The dog deserves to be happy with someone who has time to help it, and be in a situation the dog is happy with.  Sometimes that means it's not your home, and someone else's.

    Good luck with it. We have 2 dogs and I know how much of a part of your family they can become, but if one of them became aggressive, I wouldn't hesitate to take my dad up on his offer to have the dog live with them because my babies come first, and I know that the dog would be happier there.   I hope you're able to keep all your dogs, but remember to keep everything in perspective in this situation. 
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