Visiting family with dog who scratched my kid’s face twice

[Anonymous]

OP, we are in a similar situation. I've posted about it before--my parents are crazy dog people who refuse to train their very hyper, somewhat aggressive dogs. I have a 2 year old, and I myself do not like dogs. My parents refuse to travel without their dogs. The end result is we will not travel to visit them, because the do not crate the dogs, nor will they keep the dogs separated from us. Worse, because the dogs are not welcome in my home, my parents refuse to visit. It sucks. I have no good solutions for you. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could stay at a hotel, but it kind of sounds like you're looking for an excuse to get out of visiting them altogether.

Actually not at all, I’m pretty heartbroken that they are prioritizing the dog over us. Can’t/ won’t stay in a hotel bc we own the house in question and don’t have even more money to spend on a hotel.

How are they prioritizing the dog? Have you suggested something that they rejected?

And you own the house your parents and adult sibling live in? I think there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye.

THIS. The dog bites your child not once but twice (yes the dog bit your kid — trust your kid ) and the dog owner who lives rent free in the house you own is not only ok with that but insists the dog comes first? Dogs are amazing at carrying out their owners unspoken wishes. There is no way I would put my child in that position. Your child is very young and you have two? Unspoken message by your sibling.

[Anonymous]

My take is that obviously the child and dog should always be separated-go ahead and use a muzzle and a gate. Do they have a gated area in their yard? A doggy daycare?

Also, is this otherwise a well-behaved dog? Or is it aggressive? Or just untrained and poorly behaved?

I have had guests and relatives with children (up to age 14!) who repeatedly get in their own and others' dogs' faces (because they are bored) and end up being bitten or scratched. These are well-trained, otherwise lovely dogs. The kids (and parents who watch and do nothing) are definitely at fault in that case.

I'm not saying your parents and sibling shouldn't accommodate you-somewhat-but not to the point of paying for full boarding since this sounds like your child was unsupervised and got in the dog's face.

At 1, you're right, they obviously can't follow directions but you can still work on it by repeatedly steering him away from wherever the dog is being relegated to.

I've been severely bitten, twice, and one of those times was by a grandparent's ill-trained dog he brought over to our home after repeatedly being told not to. I went out to greet my grandparent, who opened the car door and his nasty, ill-tempered corgi did quite a bit of damage. My face healed but my hand is not only covered in scars but also has nerve damage.

The second was a neighbor's abused 'guard dog' who got loose and attacked me and the other children playing in our own yard. We were blamed because our 'running triggered him'.

I hope you take this opportunity to learn more about dogs and their behavior and body language. It will make interactions with any and all dogs in the future safer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, not two different answers. The dog scratched/bit a child. A dog hurt a child and the parents have a right to avoid the dog.

Right. Don't stay at the house. When you are there the kids are not to go near the dog, including the toddler.

If nobody will keep the dog contained then visit elsewhere. Or leave as soon as the dog is let out of the gated area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My take is that obviously the child and dog should always be separated-go ahead and use a muzzle and a gate. Do they have a gated area in their yard? A doggy daycare?

Also, is this otherwise a well-behaved dog? Or is it aggressive? Or just untrained and poorly behaved?

I have had guests and relatives with children (up to age 14!) who repeatedly get in their own and others' dogs' faces (because they are bored) and end up being bitten or scratched. These are well-trained, otherwise lovely dogs. The kids (and parents who watch and do nothing) are definitely at fault in that case.

I'm not saying your parents and sibling shouldn't accommodate you-somewhat-but not to the point of paying for full boarding since this sounds like your child was unsupervised and got in the dog's face.

At 1, you're right, they obviously can't follow directions but you can still work on it by repeatedly steering him away from wherever the dog is being relegated to.

I've been severely bitten, twice, and one of those times was by a grandparent's ill-trained dog he brought over to our home after repeatedly being told not to. I went out to greet my grandparent, who opened the car door and his nasty, ill-tempered corgi did quite a bit of damage. My face healed but my hand is not only covered in scars but also has nerve damage.

The second was a neighbor's abused 'guard dog' who got loose and attacked me and the other children playing in our own yard. We were blamed because our 'running triggered him'.

I hope you take this opportunity to learn more about dogs and their behavior and body language. It will make interactions with any and all dogs in the future safer.

This PP crazy

[Anonymous]

I would tell them that my rules have changed and now I will not be allowing any pets on my property. They can follow the rules or buy the house from you.

And no way would I let my child on a property where I knew there was an animal that had hurt them even once. That is pure insanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could ask him to board the dog during your visit. My sister courteously did this when I visited her with young children even though her dog is gentle. We didn’t ask her to do it, she just decided on her own. He’s a big dog and she didn’t want anyone to be scared or for him to knock anyone over. Maybe ask him to board him and offer to split the cost?

Sounds like OP’s kid was at fault from her follow up so I absolutely do not think her sister should pay a cent toward this.

In the other hand it sounds like the sibling lives in OP’s house so...

Her sibling lives in her parents’ house out of state.

My parents’ house is not my house. I do not live there anymore.

Are you serious or just can’t read?

[Anonymous]

So much drama! Who owns the house, complicated system to control a dog who has shown aggression, blah blah.

Just stay in a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could ask him to board the dog during your visit. My sister courteously did this when I visited her with young children even though her dog is gentle. We didn’t ask her to do it, she just decided on her own. He’s a big dog and she didn’t want anyone to be scared or for him to knock anyone over. Maybe ask him to board him and offer to split the cost?

Sounds like OP’s kid was at fault from her follow up so I absolutely do not think her sister should pay a cent toward this.

In the other hand it sounds like the sibling lives in OP’s house so...

Her sibling lives in her parents’ house out of state.

My parents’ house is not my house. I do not live there anymore.

Are you serious or just can’t read?

Actually, you're the one who can't read. OP owns the home her parents live in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could stay at a hotel, but it kind of sounds like you're looking for an excuse to get out of visiting them altogether.

Actually not at all, I’m pretty heartbroken that they are prioritizing the dog over us. Can’t/ won’t stay in a hotel bc we own the house in question and don’t have even more money to spend on a hotel.

Have you told them you're not coming because of the dog? Or are you assuming that wouldn't make a difference? I think they should work with you on this but if you don't make it clear that the dog is a deal-breaker, it's not really fair to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could ask him to board the dog during your visit. My sister courteously did this when I visited her with young children even though her dog is gentle. We didn’t ask her to do it, she just decided on her own. He’s a big dog and she didn’t want anyone to be scared or for him to knock anyone over. Maybe ask him to board him and offer to split the cost?

Sounds like OP’s kid was at fault from her follow up so I absolutely do not think her sister should pay a cent toward this.

In the other hand it sounds like the sibling lives in OP’s house so...

Her sibling lives in her parents’ house out of state.

My parents’ house is not my house. I do not live there anymore.

Are you serious or just can’t read?

Actually, you're the one who can't read. OP owns the home her parents live in.

lol. Snarkfail.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all the constructive comments - it seems there's a strong consensus that the kids should not be around the dog, which was my question. OP signing off. Have a nice weekend!

[Anonymous]

I kept my dog locked in my bedroom when little ones came. She was so gentle, but you never know.

[Anonymous]

I think you're doing everything right, OP. If your family won't make it their #1 priority to ensure your family's safety, then no trip. I thought you were going to say the dog was jumpy and it scratched your kid with its paws. But if that dog has bitten your child or anyone, don't let it near your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could ask him to board the dog during your visit. My sister courteously did this when I visited her with young children even though her dog is gentle. We didn’t ask her to do it, she just decided on her own. He’s a big dog and she didn’t want anyone to be scared or for him to knock anyone over. Maybe ask him to board him and offer to split the cost?

Sounds like OP’s kid was at fault from her follow up so I absolutely do not think her sister should pay a cent toward this.

In the other hand it sounds like the sibling lives in OP’s house so...

Her sibling lives in her parents’ house out of state.

My parents’ house is not my house. I do not live there anymore.

Are you serious or just can’t read?

Actually, you're the one who can't read. OP owns the home her parents live in.

lol. Snarkfail.

NP - what snark? according to OP, she owns the house that her parent and her siblings live in.