| When was the bite? Most puppies will nip/bite a few times and that shouldn't be held against him. You have to make sure dog gets same attention and needs met. |
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OP, here is the bottom line with kids and dogs that the vast majority of parents get wrong and which is why we have so many kids bitten by dogs every year.
Kids and dogs should NEVER be together unsupervised. Period. Generally older children - teens - are okay to be alone with dogs. Not before! There are SO many reasons why if you understand the natural behavior instincts of even good dogs - babies and small kids behave like prey, they screech and squeal a human newborn sounds just like a baby rabbit and deep in the canid brain, that sounds like supper. That is why even chihuahuas have killed infants left to cuddle together on the bed or sofa while mom cleans or cooks or takes a shower(!). Also older small kids run, they pull tails and ears and and pinch flesh and even good dogs will have a natural automatic response of nipping or biting at something that causes pain and sadly that can mean permanent disfigurement for a child, as well as phobia of dogs. ALL bad interactions between dogs and kids are the fault of adult humans. Period. There is no reason you can’t keep your dog and have a baby if you manage both of them the way all kids and dogs should be - supervised at all times, or separated by means that are entirely child and dog proof. |
| Get rid of the dog if dog doesn’t accept the baby. That is the only answer. |
Several years ago, he was just starting to show his reactivity so we didn't expect it and lunged and we did not catch him in time. He was not a puppy, though. Again, to everyone saying we'll have to rehome the dog - I'm aware of that, and am asking if you can even rehome a dog with a bite history. |
I don’t think there’s a yes or no answer to this. I think the question should be how do you find the right home for this dog if needed. Ideally someone you know without kids would take him. |
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The Animal Behavior Wellness center was a godsend for our dog and this may be a good place to start: https://www.abwellnesscenter.com/classes-workshops/dogs-%26-storks-workshop
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OP here. We've been working with Dr. Pike for years and she has helped us more than I could ever explain in terms of management, but he is never going to change. |
| If he is a biter then get him out of the house now, you don't want a dead or deformed child as a result of a bite |
You can…but I would not rehome to a family with children. |
| If you are dead-set on getting rid of your dog, do it before you start trying to conceive. Take your time to find a good place for him and ensure he is established. |
Op here, I am not at all dead set on it…in fact it would be my worst nightmare. |
| It is sad but sometimes you have to get rid of them. You can always have another baby though. |
| We had 2 dogs when we brought our DD home ( adopted as newborn) I tried not to disrupt their schedule too much. Still walked them and fed them at normal times, they got love still… both did fine. |
| I've seen a baby savagely bitten in the face by a family dog that had nipped at people beforehand. Why would you take the risk? |
yes but did you miss the part about the OP's dog being a BITER?
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