Dog Community

HELP!!!!

Posted : 3/27/2007 2:48:02 PM

Really need help!!
I have 2 JR's, they are brother and sister and have had them since they were puppies, they will be 7 this year. I also have a little boy whs has just turned 1 and is walking.
The problem is the male keeps growling and showing his teeth at my son, the bitch is quite laid back and doesnt really pay much attention.
Unfortunatley im having to start putting the male in the kitchen as as I really am having doubts about him, its probably my fault as treated both dogs as babies when i got them, I no longer am able to give them all the time I used to.
I have asked family/friends if they would like to re home them, it breaks my heart thinking about it, but if anything did happen I would never forgive myself.
What would you do?

Chuffy

Posted : 3/27/2007 7:49:01 PM

I would get your vet to refer you to a good behaviourist to help you. In the meantime manage him as you have been doing, erring on the side of caution.

Enforce NILIF with both dogs. (Nothing in Life is Free, google it or do a forum search)

Set some time aside every single day which is purely for them and them alone - even if it is just 20 minutes of play, training and cuddles when the son has gone to bed. Try to make sure good things happen when the son is nearby (dropped pieces of meat for example, or a favourite toy)

Do you have baby gates, dog crates? If not, get some.... this way the dog can be seperated from the son for safety but can still get used to his presence and can be offered good things to help him build a positive association

How long has this been going on for?

Natalie Evans

Posted : 3/28/2007 2:51:59 PM

Thanks for all your advice, will look into this more. It has really come to light in the past few months when my son has started to walk. I have babygates everywhere and do put my dog in the kitchen to seperate, but he does give my son a look which worries me. Both dogs know that he will give them his food and they are good together then! I have treated my dogs as furry children before i had my son and think that my dog has got a real jealousy problem, which i can hardly blame him.

Susan Robertson

Posted : 3/28/2007 7:40:49 PM

Ditto what Chuffy said, but also please be careful!! Growling, showing teeth at a l yr old child would not be acceptable to me in any way, shape or form. I'd be very cautious of this dog anywhere near my child. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye and he's already giving you a warning. As much as I love dogs, I would not be willing to compromise my child's safety at all. In fact, I can pretty much tell you what my dh would do. He would never trust the dog and the dog would be gone. Period. Sounds harsh, but you would never live with yourself if something terrible happened.

Sometimes, I just think kids and dogs don't mix and shouldn't be forced to. If you can manage the environment diligently keeping them apart, then you'll have time to work with a behaviorist. Good luck!

Angelique

Posted : 3/28/2007 7:54:48 PM

Mastiff already covered most of what I was going to say.

I know you realise what contributed to the situation, but this is now very serious. Protecting your child is your first priority.

My preference for canine professionals who deal with serious aggression issues can be found through the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).

[linkhttp://www.dogpro.org/]www.dogpro.org/[/link]

Good luck and I hope your dog lives out a long happy life in a home where he and those around him are safe.

Lilea Storm

Posted : 3/28/2007 8:36:13 PM

Ditto what Mastiff said.