How to let children know we have to give our dog away

[Anonymous]

This past Sunday our lab bit a guest in our house. I was shocked he did it, he's extremely friendly, even to strangers. I just don't feel we can keep him even if I was always shutting him in another room. My kids are 8&9. I don't think my daughter will be that upset but my son will be. I don't even know if a recue will take him. Would a goodbye be too hard? I hate to just get rid of him while they're at school.
Thanks, it's been a sad week.

[Anonymous]

What did the person do to provoke a bite? What could you have done to foresee this and prevent it?

[Anonymous]

What happened? Did the person do something to the dog?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did the person do to provoke a bite? What could you have done to foresee this and prevent it?

+1

Just offer to pay the medical bills. If they are any kind of human being, they will refuse.

[Anonymous]

You have other options.

[Anonymous]

I think you should fully investigate other options before automatically thinking the only solution is to give him/her away. If he/she is typically extremely friendly (and most labs are) then something very out of the norm happened with this particular guest to cause this. IF so, don't blame the dog. What really happened here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did the person do to provoke a bite? What could you have done to foresee this and prevent it?

+1

Just offer to pay the medical bills. If they are any kind of human being, they will refuse.

+2

[Anonymous]

Yes, you have to get rid of the dog. There are lab rescues that will find the dog a family with adults only.

What were the circumstances of the bite? Have you consulted a trainer?

I have a zero tolerance policy with dogs and bites. One bite, and they are gone. But there are lots of people who will take a dog that's had an aggressive incident. As long as there are no children in the house, and they know the dog's trigger, then it's possible to have the dog adopted.

I'd try adopting the dog before putting him down, though.

Tell the kids you can't keep him because he bit someone, and you are worried he might bite someone else. Tell they you will find a loving home for him that will take care of him and he won't bite anyone else ever again.

It's tough OP, but your kids will get over the dog sooner than you think.

Get rid of dog toys, etc. so there are no reminders, and give them extra attention for a few days until they feel better. And tell them you can get another dog someday when they are older.

So sorry OP. I love my dog totally and would be devastated if I had to give him away, but if he bit someone, out he goes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you have to get rid of the dog. There are lab rescues that will find the dog a family with adults only.

What were the circumstances of the bite? Have you consulted a trainer?

I have a zero tolerance policy with dogs and bites. One bite, and they are gone. But there are lots of people who will take a dog that's had an aggressive incident. As long as there are no children in the house, and they know the dog's trigger, then it's possible to have the dog adopted.

I'd try adopting the dog before putting him down, though.

Tell the kids you can't keep him because he bit someone, and you are worried he might bite someone else. Tell they you will find a loving home for him that will take care of him and he won't bite anyone else ever again.

It's tough OP, but your kids will get over the dog sooner than you think.

Get rid of dog toys, etc. so there are no reminders, and give them extra attention for a few days until they feel better. And tell them you can get another dog someday when they are older.

So sorry OP. I love my dog totally and would be devastated if I had to give him away, but if he bit someone, out he goes!

-1, to counteract the bad advice and perspective given in the above posting

[Anonymous]

If you just get rid of the dog -- whatever you mean by that -- while they're at school, won't they wonder what will happen to themselves if they do something wrong?

[Anonymous]

If you get bit by a dog, get stitches and when asked say that it's a dog bite, the dog will be impounded. No choice. Even if it's your dog and you don't want that to happen.

This doesn't need to be "your" decision in the eyes of your children, this is a county public safety decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you get bit by a dog, get stitches and when asked say that it's a dog bite, the dog will be impounded. No choice. Even if it's your dog and you don't want that to happen.

This doesn't need to be "your" decision in the eyes of your children, this is a county public safety decision.

OP needs to clarify. Was it a bite or a snip. What were the circumstances, etc. All dog "bites" are not the same, especially with a family friendly lab.

[Anonymous]

He was trying to eat hot dogs off the counter. She walked in and either pet him or tried to take the plate when it happened. She went to her personal doctor and he did not report it. That's beside the point. I almost wish he has been taken away. He snapped at my son a year ago. I gave him a pass because my son climbed on his dog bed. I was still shocked he bit her. He loves strangers!

[Anonymous]

OP have you thought taken the dog to the vet? What did the person do? Your kids will hate you If the dog just disappears one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He was trying to eat hot dogs off the counter. She walked in and either pet him or tried to take the plate when it happened. She went to her personal doctor and he did not report it. That's beside the point. I almost wish he has been taken away. He snapped at my son a year ago. I gave him a pass because my son climbed on his dog bed. I was still shocked he bit her. He loves strangers!

OP, my brother and SIL had a rescue dog that had what you describe, food-agression. If a dog has this, it's probably smart for you to take serious measures. This is not something that is easily fixed--not something easily trained out of a dog. I don't know if it even CAN be trained out of a dog (maybe other PPs know).

My DB and SIL live in CA and in that state, all medical personnel are required by law to report a dog bite. So our bitten friend's doctor reported it. You wouldn't believe it. Our friend started getting phone calls from attorneys who specialize in dog bite lawsuits--they find the report and solicit business this way! They wanted our friend to sue my brother! Fortunately she is a decent person, but yikes, what if it had been some stranger?

Re your kids, I would research and decide what to do before telling your kids. Don't tell them before you've got your plan.