What to do with the dog?

billybek · billybek's Garage

My wife and I had a sad realization today. Harley dog may not be able to stay with us any longer.
It is a typical couple has baby, dog doesn't seem to be compatible with the new family order.
Some background. My wife adopted the dog from a rescue society in North Carolina about 7 or 8 years ago. Harley is a mixed breed, but appears to be a Kelpie and perhaps Blue Heeler cross.

She is a pretty good dog, although she is a bit willful.

The big problem is that she growls at our little guy and while she has never made a move to bite him, she did make an "air snap" at another child today. I am worried that she will one day bite and do damage to some poor unsuspecting child.

She is about 9-10 years old. While I would hate to put her down before her time, I would hate more to do nothing and allow her to hurt a child.

Ahhh crap, what do ya do?

masraum · 07-19-2009, 07:47 PM

Beautiful dog, I hope you find a good solution.

fingpilot · 07-19-2009, 08:06 PM

I know this may sound funny, but there are ways of 'acclimatizing' a dog to 'new' members of a family. Look it up online. My step daughter had a similar situation with a longtime dog and a newborn. It all resolved, but it took some 'work' on everybody's part.

Such a sad situation. Hoping here for the best.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

yes, do that

Oracle · 07-19-2009, 08:27 PM

We had the exact same problem and with the baby we didn't have time for anything else.
Not a chance to acclimitize or educate and we were just not willing to risk something regretable for life.. we gave her away right away.
I regret to some extent not trying harder but I also know that I did what I had to do as a responsible adult.
I would have shot myself if I had witnessed an animal under my roof harm any of the kids. In my view there are risks and there are stupid risks...

billybek · billybek's Garage

The funny thing is that the dog places herself in the position to protect the little guy when there are visitors (strangers to her) in the home.
The sad thing is that the little guy just loves her, and she doesn't have the time of day for him, except when he is dropping food from the high chair!

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

I have three dogs at my house. The dogs have a pecking order in their pack (which includes my wife and me). Your dog likely feels that she is ahead of your child in the pack pecking order. It's a normal position for a dog to take with a small child. An attack or even a real bite is highly unlikely. "Air snaps" are common with the largest dog in our house when dealing with the other two smaller ones. There's never a bite, just a message to the others saying "leave me alone!" It usually happens when one of the smaller ones is pestering the larger one.

I'd find a dog trainer and pay for the advice/training. It'll be well worth it for all involved. Remember, that dog is part of your family. You wouldn't give away a child if he were bullying a younger one. Rather, you'd teach the older child what sort of behavior is expected of him. Right? Do the same with this dog. Find a pro to help you.

jyl · jyl's Garage

You need to make a real effort to get your dog adjusted to the new situation. As suggested, consult a professional dog trainer. Almost certainly your dog will adjust fine and be a loyal friend and protector for your child, given training, attention, and an owner who cares enough to make the effort and show as much loyalty to the dog as it has shown to you. If you won't make the effort, don't expect any support here.

LWJ · 07-19-2009, 10:30 PM

I agree with 450 and jyl. We had a Lab that was honestly the best dog possible, until we had our first child. The dog got really bent out of shape just as 450 says. One day, he groweled at our daughter. He was sharp enough to realize that he had seriously crossed the line. He accepted his lowest on the totel position after that and did not fuss when the next two were born.

See the pro. There is hope.

Larry

Jim Richards · 07-20-2009, 02:28 AM

+1

stomachmonkey · 07-20-2009, 05:22 AM

Hierarchy as mentioned by others.

You'd be shocked by what simple actions make a difference to an animal.

Things you never think about, like letting them lead you through a door, feeding them before you etc... make them feel higher up in the order.

As they get older being pushed down in the order is natural for them and you'd be surprised how well, easily they adapt.

Rot 911 · 07-20-2009, 05:30 AM

When we adopted our daughter our dog, Max, also thought he was ahead in the pecking order and did the "air snap" once. That was immediately followed by me quickly smacking his snout and about 5 minutes of shaming him. He then spent the next 2 years basically ignoring her. Now they are best friends.

rammstein · 07-20-2009, 07:08 AM

Either find him a new home or get pro help immediately.

Zeke · 07-20-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammstein

Either find him a new home or get pro help immediately.

I agree, but personally, I wouldn't take the chance. A dog is first an animal, a pack animal, and will attack members of its pack. You can't take animal out of "dog" no matter what you think or believe.

Moses · 07-20-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

I agree, but personally, I wouldn't take the chance. A dog is first an animal, a pack animal, and will attack members of its pack. You can't take animal out of "dog" no matter what you think or believe.

Absolutely. 100%.

Completely irresponsible and reckless to take a chance with your child. A few years ago I delivered a baby for a young couple whose dog had difficulty adjusting to the new member of the family. Without warning the dog killed the baby.

equality72521 · 07-20-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

I agree, but personally, I wouldn't take the chance. A dog is first an animal, a pack animal, and will attack members of its pack. You can't take animal out of "dog" no matter what you think or believe.

Couldn't agree more.

McLovin · 07-20-2009, 09:27 AM

Dog that size with that behavior and background needs to go bye bye.

Yeah, you can "experiment" with some behavioral modification BS stuff. Maybe it will even work. Maybe. Maybe not.

Seahawk · 07-20-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Absolutely. 100%.

Completely irresponsible and reckless to take a chance with your child. A few years ago I delivered a baby for a young couple whose dog had difficulty adjusting to the new member of the family. Without warning the dog killed the baby.

That is simply amazing...this is a phenomenon I was unaware of.

McLovin · 07-20-2009, 09:37 AM

It will be particularly dangerous once the baby starts walking. Kid is stumbling around, grabs dog for balance or falls on dog, lights out.

Moses · 07-20-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

That is simply amazing...this is a phenomenon I was unaware of.

The baby was in a car seat. The parents placed the car seat on the couch. They were getting ready to leave the house. They heard the attack and rushed the baby to the hospital but it was too late.