Doggie

lombardo21 · April 2015

our dog has shown aggression in the past-has a bite history, had a trainer coming to then house, showers aggression towards him & my husband. We are so torn about what to do. Any advice?

HaruhiChan · April 2015

Hmm. I would keep baby and dog separate for awhile and slowly introduce them and watch them carefully when they're around each other. Make sure your dog has his/her space that the baby cannot interrupt. A safe space is necessary as some animals just need this privacy and own personal space.

I don't have much experience with dogs, so that's the advice I can give. Sorry, I specialize more in parrots and cats lol

saric83 · April 2015

First and foremost, don't EVER leave any kiddos alone with the dog (that just a basic rule for anyone, regardless of how great a dog is). What happened with the trainer? If this were my dog, I would be doing a ton of training right now and everything I could to get him/her prepared to the little human gear, noises, and scent.

lombardo21 · April 2015

Trainer's professional opinion was to rehome our doggie. Too dangerous & unpredictable with child. Being due in 2 weeks I just feel so overwhelmed

jessicazimmer · April 2015

We had to get rid of ours for the same reasons. It was so hard but was the right decision.

cpage2211 · April 2015

That's really too bad that you're facing this difficult decision. If the trained professional is telling you to rehome, then that might be exactly what you should do.

marthaudani · April 2015

I agree that rehoming is probably your best option. It's heartbreaking but almost certainly a necessary thing to do for the safety of your child. It only takes a second for you to look away for the dog to attack a child. I would be very wary of keeping it.

We have a dog and he's a huge cuddler, loves everyone and is the worst watch dog ever. lol He will probably have jealousy issues but I plan on spending time with him when the baby is sleeping. Nap time doggie cuddles are almost as awesome as baby snuggles.

I'm sorry that you are going through this. Just think about it as he will be going to a home where he can be loved on all the time and where he can't be a danger to anyone - especially a small child.

dec2018mom · April 2015

We went through this recently. Our dog had a history of snapping at DH and I. We did everything we could to change his behavior and nothing worked, so we found him a new home.

Remember it can take one bite to seriously injure or kill a baby. I'd rather find the dog another home than risk my child's life.

Knottie54288128 · April 2015

I'm not usually rehome advocate, but if this dog is showing aggression towards everyone, then it is better to be safe. I will say though that my sister's chihuahua will sit on my tummy and growl at anyone who gets near it. She's not normally an aggressive dog but she wants to protect the belly. Instinct maybe?

lombardo21 · April 2015

Thanks ladies!

lombardo21 · April 2015

I just feel so guilty & like s failure. How did u know u were making the right decision?

cpage2211 · April 2015

In my eyes, the safety of my newborn would trump the love I have for my dog. I have two dogs and couldn't imagine re-homing them, but if they showed aggression with no positive growth, they would have to go. I am actually a second home for one of my dogs. Her and another female dog couldn't and wouldn't get along. Her previous owner tried everything....puppy Prozac, training, muzzles-nothing worked. She has never showed any aggression towards us or my new male dog. Has anyone mentioned a medication to relax the dog?

dec2018mom · April 2015

Don't feel like a failure. Some dogs aren't compatible with a growing family and that isn't anyone's fault. If you've done what you could do to change the behavior then you shouldn't feel bad.

I knew it was the right decision because if he would snap at my husband and I despite how well we treated him then he would snap at a child who doesn't know better than to pull tails and ears. Obviously there was the we can just keep them separated and always watch them when they are together thoughts. But when you think about how quickly dogs react to things...even if we are close by we might not be able to prevent anything horrible from happening.

Also keeping dog confined and or separated from the family even if it's not ALL the time isn't good for the dog. Dogs are pack animals and need to be with their families.

lombardo21 · April 2015

Contacted a local rescue and this is the response I got: Hi Cassandra,

I am so sorry for what you are going through with your dog. It must be heartbreaking to make this decision but I think it is a wise one. Dooley does not sound like he would do well around your baby. No one can fault you for not trying with various trainers and techniques.
Rogers Rescues is not a shelter but a series of foster homes. We take dogs in to our homes to live with our families and our own animals. All our foster homes have children and other animals. Honestly, we don't have a foster home that would be willing to take him on. Also due to insurance reasons we can't take in and adopt out a dog with a bite history. If we adopt a dog like that out and he bites someone or inures another animal we could be sued.
I'm sorry, I know that is not what you wanted to hear. Also, I appreciate your honesty. Off hand I can't think of any rescue or shelter that would take him.

lombardo21 · April 2015

I am going to call my vet tomorrow and see what their advice is. I am still waiting to here back from the rescue we got him from too

dec2018mom · April 2015

sakafa · April 2015

I am so sorry you are going through this. Our dog is our fur baby and I'm so worried about my little one being allergic to or the dog having difficulties adjusting to baby. My heart goes out to you. You are making the right decision for your family.

odawg · April 2015

Oh no! This saddens me. I would say, if you were in a situation where you were going to have them together at the same time (so if you decide to keep the dog or you have the baby prior to the dog being placed) then I recommend a couple things-I know we are going to be tired and what not when we get home from labor but you need to give your dog a chance to see you and love on you without the baby present. So, most people have the mom go in first and see the dog or go out back with the dog for a little and just say hello! Then I would introduce the dog to the baby right away- keeping them separate will make the dog not realize it is a part of the family. Your dog knows that babies heartbeat from hearing it when you were pregnant and realizing your belly is not making an extra heartbeat. Obviously a parent will be holding the child- just let your dog smell her for a few seconds then call him over and give him a treat and some more attention. The key to bringing home a baby with any pet is making sure the pet knows they are still loved and cared for. This can be complicated for a lot of people because it turns into all about the baby-but a lot of breeds of dogs get fiesty when they feel outcasted.

CanadaMom17 · April 2015

Unfortunately, some dogs cannot be re-socialized. As much as I have always loved my pets, including dogs, biting ANYONE, never mind children, other than in self-protection (i.e. being physically beaten) or of the family, would warrant euthanasia. It does not sound like your dog would be safe to give to any family. If you do want to keep trying, try at the state level for rescues, or if he's a particular breed, there are sometimes breed rescues. At the end of the day, knowing what you do, you have to protect the baby first and foremost.

dec2018mom · April 2015

Keep in mind that you also can probably get in legal trouble if your dog bites someone else and they report you. I've heard of parents getting in trouble with the law for knowingly keeping an aggressive dog when it attacked their child.

This might be a hard choice, and I hate to be harsh...but this is a no brainer. That dog doesn't belong in your family. No amount of rehabilitation could ever make me trust a dog that has bitten around a child...Much less my very own newborn.

ekaeb · April 2015

I don't now what to tell that everyone else on here hasn't already! But I'm very sorry u are going through this and hope it all works out for the best of ur family!!

danibii · April 2015

Thinking of you- sorry you are in this tough situation- do you have any extended family that could take the pup in?

29claan · April 2015

Sorry you have to go through this. We have a puppy who starts overnight puppy training boot camp soon for 3 weeks. He's not aggressive (he's a total love bug) but we want to be sure he's trained properly for the baby (no jumping, off the couch, etc.) We are afraid of just his jumping so I can't imagine your fear with biting. But I'm sure you will do what is best for your baby.

saric83 · April 2015

If you're not able to find a new home for the puppers before the baby arrives, maybe consider a muzzle to help in the short-term. It's not something you should leave on when you're not there, but it can be a really great tool to just help everyone feel more comfortable if you're concerned about biting. Just make sure to get one where the dog can still have treats with it on, and you can start practicing having him wear it now.

keitlin415 · April 2015

We went through the same thing with my dog when I had my first daughter. We had friends who could foster him while we tried to arrange private adoptions through several different outlets. But, it's very hard to find a good home for an aggressive dog. After a year, we eventually found an organization that worked with the humane society, it is called Canine Express. We had an excellent experience with them. Our dog was adopted in a week, and we have maintained contact with the people who adopted him. I'm not sure if it is available in all areas, but it wouldn't hurt to look into it.

rileysmama2007 · April 2015

We had a dog that aggression towards my son and we rehomed him immediately. I don't think it's worth the risk

lombardo21 · May 2015

Thanks ladies! I'm heart broken but we have talked to the rescue we adopted him from. They are going to take him back next week. They are going to have a professional evaluate him to see if he is suitable for rehoming, if his behavior can be corrected. If he is, which I hope so they will put him up for adoption. If he deemed unsuitable he will have to be put down. I'm just such a mess. I know it's the right decision, but so difficult. Once again thank you for all your kind words and advice

sunnysidexup · May 2015

We have two dogs, small, but one is aggressive toward shoes and fast moving kids. We just deal with it and have trained him with "time out" techniques he uses himself when he's uncomfortable. Yes we are watchful, but he is so much a part of the family we look for strategies instead. Hope the pup finds a new home.

tk020803 · May 2015

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this right before the arrival of your little one. I will agree that rehoming him is your only option. A friend of ours turned her back for a split second to answer the phone as her infant was playing on an activity mat (not crying or even touching a dog she had had for years). Her dog lunged atime the baby latching on his leg and did quite a bit of damage. She was terrified and the dog ended up having to be put down anyway . Better to be safe then sorry.

rosannewild · May 2015

You're making the right decision, though a truly heartbreaking position. I have a big love of a dog who is a big moosh. He has a bit of prey drive, but no aggression. just posturing play, "I want in on those cuddles!" Which are amazing displays that are funny now... and make me nervous for him startling the baby. He's always kind and gentle with cats and other dogs who visit (even elderly disabled ones). Point is: I'm going to be really really cautious with my big moosh. I will have him go for intensive training with the rescue/rehab where we adopted him from if he has difficulty adjusting to baby.
Again, so very sorry for you. trust your gut feeling. All the best wishes for you and that doggie just needs some work to go to a kid free home!

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