Aggressive Dog + Little Kids

[Anonymous]

What would you do?

The dog is 7 years old, about 50 pounds, neutered. He is most likely inbred and was abused as a puppy. It is breaking our hearts to consider rehoming him, but we don't know what to do. We have been keeping them separated , but that is not fair for the dog or the kids. He charges at them and has snarled at them a few times. They are both afraid of him and cry and run from him.

[Anonymous]

Humans first. No question.

[Anonymous]

In breeding and abuse? OP, it's a lack of socialization and exposure to young children when he was a puppy, that's it.

And, yes, you should rehome him because he's past his primary socialization and it will take a ton of work, and time you don't have, to make him a little less dangerous.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids and how long have you had the dog?

Not that it even matters, the dog has to go. Or you can put the kids up for adoption.

[Anonymous]

Give him to a breed specific rescue OP and do it quickly unless you’re going to put him down yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids and how long have you had the dog?

Not that it even matters, the dog has to go. Or you can put the kids up for adoption.

NP. I would definitely get rid of kids first. This is a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would you do?

The dog is 7 years old, about 50 pounds, neutered. He is most likely inbred and was abused as a puppy. It is breaking our hearts to consider rehoming him, but we don't know what to do. We have been keeping them separated , but that is not fair for the dog or the kids. He charges at them and has snarled at them a few times. They are both afraid of him and cry and run from him.

How old are the kids? I imagine you had the dog first. They are pack animals and the dog considers your kids lessor members of the pack. Before you re home, I'd consider working with a trainer.

[Anonymous]

Work with a rescue, and if none will take him euthanize him. It's only a matter of time before he bites one of the kids, and you need to get rid of the dog before then. It's heartbreaking I know, but its the responsible action to take.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all. I have known for weeks that getting rid of him is the answer but it's just so hard. He saved my life and I don't know how to be without him. But the kids come first, always.

We have had him for 6 years. The kids are 1 and 2.

To explain the abuse and inbreeding, I do know for a fact that he was abused because it was done by my own family member which is how I ended up with him. The inbreeding is due to the backyard breeder he was purchased from by my family member. His papers show the same dog on both sides.

We have spoken with a local trainer and she isn't sure she can take him on since he is so protective of our property that she hasn't been able to get out of the car when she has tried to come see him. Honestly, even if he was able to be trained, I don't think we could ever trust him around our children because of how he has acted in the past. He has never attacked the kids, but he has attacked DH and me several times.

We have also spoken with a local rescue and they won't consider him until/unless the trainer can see him and make a recommendation. I will look into breed-specific rescues.

I don't know where to go from here. I'm heartbroken and scared. No matter what I do, it's the wrong thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all. I have known for weeks that getting rid of him is the answer but it's just so hard. He saved my life and I don't know how to be without him. But the kids come first, always.

We have had him for 6 years. The kids are 1 and 2.

To explain the abuse and inbreeding, I do know for a fact that he was abused because it was done by my own family member which is how I ended up with him. The inbreeding is due to the backyard breeder he was purchased from by my family member. His papers show the same dog on both sides.

We have spoken with a local trainer and she isn't sure she can take him on since he is so protective of our property that she hasn't been able to get out of the car when she has tried to come see him. Honestly, even if he was able to be trained, I don't think we could ever trust him around our children because of how he has acted in the past. He has never attacked the kids, but he has attacked DH and me several times.

We have also spoken with a local rescue and they won't consider him until/unless the trainer can see him and make a recommendation. I will look into breed-specific rescues.

I don't know where to go from here. I'm heartbroken and scared. No matter what I do, it's the wrong thing.

As someone who adores dogs, I'm truly sorry, but you need to not have that dog in your home another day. Seriously? with toddlers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all. I have known for weeks that getting rid of him is the answer but it's just so hard. He saved my life and I don't know how to be without him. But the kids come first, always.

We have had him for 6 years. The kids are 1 and 2.

To explain the abuse and inbreeding, I do know for a fact that he was abused because it was done by my own family member which is how I ended up with him. The inbreeding is due to the backyard breeder he was purchased from by my family member. His papers show the same dog on both sides.

We have spoken with a local trainer and she isn't sure she can take him on since he is so protective of our property that she hasn't been able to get out of the car when she has tried to come see him. Honestly, even if he was able to be trained, I don't think we could ever trust him around our children because of how he has acted in the past. He has never attacked the kids, but he has attacked DH and me several times.

We have also spoken with a local rescue and they won't consider him until/unless the trainer can see him and make a recommendation. I will look into breed-specific rescues.

I don't know where to go from here. I'm heartbroken and scared. No matter what I do, it's the wrong thing.

As someone who adores dogs, I'm truly sorry, but you need to not have that dog in your home another day. Seriously? with toddlers?

You're absolutely right. I guess I'm feeling really guilty and just needed to be reassured we're making the right decision because this is killing me. Still don't know how exactly to go about it. I don't know if it's responsible to try to rehome him, or if it would be better to euthanize him as much as we would hate to do it. Until we figure something out, we keep the kids with us 100% of the time and the dog is in a separated part of the house or outside so they are safe. But the fact that they are getting bigger and more and more mobile is scary. Like I said, it's not fair for any of us for it to be this way.

[Anonymous]

He has attacked both you and your husband SEVERAL times and the trainer can’t even get close to him? I’m sorry, this dog will never be a good pet for anyone. You need to protect your children. I’m sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He has attacked both you and your husband SEVERAL times and the trainer can’t even get close to him? I’m sorry, this dog will never be a good pet for anyone. You need to protect your children. I’m sorry.

He had gotten better while I was pregnant with #2 and a little before, so we had hoped maybe things were turning around. He ended up attacking DH a couple times near the end of my pregnancy. Since then, it hasn't happened as often as it did before. But obviously anything at all is too much, especially with kids involved.

[Anonymous]

Do you want a dead or maimed child? Get it out of your house!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He has attacked both you and your husband SEVERAL times and the trainer can’t even get close to him? I’m sorry, this dog will never be a good pet for anyone. You need to protect your children. I’m sorry.

He had gotten better while I was pregnant with #2 and a little before, so we had hoped maybe things were turning around. He ended up attacking DH a couple times near the end of my pregnancy. Since then, it hasn't happened as often as it did before. But obviously anything at all is too much, especially with kids involved.

I’m really sorry but you need to euthanize him. I know it’s heartbreaking (I have a family member who had to have an aggressive dog euthanized, and he wasn’t nearly as aggressive as you describe your dog being), but there is no other responsible action that you can take.