Do you have children? Are you willing to risk a terrible bite? Because frankly, even dogs that are patient and mellow most of the time can occasionally snap and this dog is giving clear signs that he might. Do you know how challenging it is to keep a dog separate from kids in your own home? OP is clearly struggling with this- she is not taking this lightly. I am horrified by the folks out there who advocate putting a dog's needs before the safety of your kids. OP if you do not feel it is safe, I would aggressively start looking for a new home. There are several animal re-homing sites on facebook, hunt around for the right one and explain what kind of home your dog needs (free of kids). |
Okay, you are a troll, or a sociopath. Pets are great, I love pets. Human needs for safety come first, always. Please don't ever have children (I'm sure you won't)..but don't. ever. |
I'm the PP. Why would you want a dog whose natural inclination is to growl and snap at babies and children? When my kids were young we'd walk the dog with 1 child walking and a stroller. What does OP need-a muzzle on the dog for such an ordinary walk? |
I haven't read through the entire thread, but please don't get rid of your dog too soon. I thought I saw someone mention keeping them separate and trying to teach them how to play well with each other. Well, probably more so teaching the dog. The baby is still pretty young. I'm no dog expert, but maybe keep the dog to a certain part of the house and have the baby there with you so the dog learns that the baby is the superiorand free to be wherever even in his space just like all the other family members? Just constant redirection if you see your dog about to get snappy with the baby.
I don't know how attached you are to your dog, but you've had him for his entire life. It would probably be hard on him to not have you anymore. |
I'm a PP. The posters that are saying this are leaving out the second part of the sentence: "...IF you don't train the dog and baby to get along." The dog is not the only one who has to change, and OP is clearly too lazy to do it herself and too cheap to hire a trainer ("out of the question"). I really feel for that dog, and hope he finds a much better home than you are willing to provide, OP. |
I feel for the child, too! People who abandon dogs are showing their true colors. They won't treat their children any differently, in the end. |
So true! When my dog turned vicious and attacked our other dog multiple times and then went for one of my children we had him put down. Now that my teen is getting bad grades in Chemistry class I have considered surrendering him to the pound. BECAUSE I WOULDN'T TREAT MY CHILD ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN A DOG???
Some of you people are crazy. |
Attacking a person and growling when someone comes close are two COMPLETELY different situations. Growling is no different than a person saying, "Please leave me alone." The issue comes when people ignore the growling and keep pressing the dog's limits. |