Anonymous wrote:OP here. I texted the rescue coordinator today letting her know we need to take care of this this weekend because this is really agonizing. She said we're required to do extensive training first. I have no words. For the record, this is Lucky Dog rescue. I thought they had a great reputation. I'm exhausted and depressed and just want this to be over.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I was going to let this thread die because this has been a painful week for my family. But seeing these additional posts made me want to post an update. So, the dog is still in our house. And I can hear most of you yelling at me right now. I called the rescue Monday morning and it took until last night at 9 p.m to finally get someone on the phone for a real conversation. That conversation left me so frustrated, I can't even describe. The rescue coordinator said she would get me in touch with a great trainer, we should walk away when G is getting bitey, we need to train our kids. etc. I know all of this and told her so, and asked her bottom line, what is the process to return her. She said that it would be a very difficult process because they don't have a lot of fosters to go around, so it might take a while to find her a place to go, and that I should be aware that nothing good can come out of this, it will be a very traumatic experience for G.. she went on and on. I had been very calm about things up until then but at that point I got really upset and explained to her (as calmly as I could) that THIS IS A DOG. My responsibility is to MY CHILDREN. Ugh. So frustrated still.

I know you all don't know me and you're probably thinking why is this woman so wishy-washy and letting the rescue walk all over her? A good friend of mine who I talked to about this told me to "get NY on the rescue's ass" (seeing as I am a hard-ass from Queens), but it's hard when there are so many emotions involved. I am still determined to rehome her but every day it gets harder. You can all yell at me now, I deserve it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand your situation. Our dog bit my child. I know everyone on here would say get rid of her, but we didn't.

The context is she is a very laid back non-aggressive dog and our child was seriously bothering her. The dog had growled several times but our child had ignored this. I had told the child to move/stop doing it when the dog growls but he is very stubborn.

We all learned a lesson from this, and our child now does not harass the dog and knows to move away of the dog should she growl, which she will do if our child "cuddles" too aggressively.

If your dog snapped with no warning, that would be scary. Are you sure the dog did not growl first?

I grew up with dogs, but the lesson I learned as an adult is that young children need to be taught how to behave even around the most relaxed, mild-mannered dogs and how to treat the animal with respect.

They are NOT toys. I know you don't want to hear this, but lying down on the floor with a dog is not the wisest idea.

+1

op, you've had the dog since January, which means your kids have had 2 months to learn how to interact appropriately with her. They still need a lot of training.

I think you have a Rottweiler. You may not know it, but they shed like crazy. Dobermans do not. Rescues like about the mix, and say almost everything is a lab mix. If you really want to know, do a genetic test. I actually own a Rottweiler rescue dog (on purpose).

1. DO NOT like on the floor with the dog. That's asking for trouble. Never put yourself on the same level with the dog. DO NOT like on the couch with your head at the dog's level.
2. Learn to watch for the warning signs that the dog is displeased with something. "Whale eye". (Showing the whites of the eye). Pinned back ears. Sneezing. Licking. You can google this. If they're uncomfortable with something you're doing, they'll let you know--but you need to learn to understand what they're telling you.
3. Dogs will warn you. Repeatedly. (See 2). A low growl, lifting the lips. A snap. If the dog wanted to bite your DS, the dog would have bitten your DS. Dogs are lightening fast--it wasn't a miss, it was a warning.
4. Train your kids, too. This one is almost harder. At least it was for us. I CONSTANTLY had to remind my kids to get off the floor and lie down with the dog, especially at first.
5. Find a trainer that specializes in Working Dogs--Rotties, German Shepherds, etc. Not someone who obedience trains beagles. It's different. Don't take your dog to PetSmart to be trained by someone who barely knows more than you.
6. Or try here: www.positivek9training.com


In the meantime, keep a closer eye on your kids and dog together. Don't let them cuddle--seriously. They both need more training first. That can come later.
And it will. I'm on my 4th rescue Rottweiler, FWIW. They've all been great dogs, some faster than others. (People are really awful to dogs sometimes)

Dumb question but don't a lot of people let their dogs sleep in their beds? Wouldn't that constitute laying down at the same level with your dog?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand your situation. Our dog bit my child. I know everyone on here would say get rid of her, but we didn't.

The context is she is a very laid back non-aggressive dog and our child was seriously bothering her. The dog had growled several times but our child had ignored this. I had told the child to move/stop doing it when the dog growls but he is very stubborn.

We all learned a lesson from this, and our child now does not harass the dog and knows to move away of the dog should she growl, which she will do if our child "cuddles" too aggressively.

If your dog snapped with no warning, that would be scary. Are you sure the dog did not growl first?

I grew up with dogs, but the lesson I learned as an adult is that young children need to be taught how to behave even around the most relaxed, mild-mannered dogs and how to treat the animal with respect.

They are NOT toys. I know you don't want to hear this, but lying down on the floor with a dog is not the wisest idea.

+1

op, you've had the dog since January, which means your kids have had 2 months to learn how to interact appropriately with her. They still need a lot of training.

I think you have a Rottweiler. You may not know it, but they shed like crazy. Dobermans do not. Rescues like about the mix, and say almost everything is a lab mix. If you really want to know, do a genetic test. I actually own a Rottweiler rescue dog (on purpose).

1. DO NOT like on the floor with the dog. That's asking for trouble. Never put yourself on the same level with the dog. DO NOT like on the couch with your head at the dog's level.
2. Learn to watch for the warning signs that the dog is displeased with something. "Whale eye". (Showing the whites of the eye). Pinned back ears. Sneezing. Licking. You can google this. If they're uncomfortable with something you're doing, they'll let you know--but you need to learn to understand what they're telling you.
3. Dogs will warn you. Repeatedly. (See 2). A low growl, lifting the lips. A snap. If the dog wanted to bite your DS, the dog would have bitten your DS. Dogs are lightening fast--it wasn't a miss, it was a warning.
4. Train your kids, too. This one is almost harder. At least it was for us. I CONSTANTLY had to remind my kids to get off the floor and lie down with the dog, especially at first.
5. Find a trainer that specializes in Working Dogs--Rotties, German Shepherds, etc. Not someone who obedience trains beagles. It's different. Don't take your dog to PetSmart to be trained by someone who barely knows more than you.
6. Or try here: www.positivek9training.com


In the meantime, keep a closer eye on your kids and dog together. Don't let them cuddle--seriously. They both need more training first. That can come later.
And it will. I'm on my 4th rescue Rottweiler, FWIW. They've all been great dogs, some faster than others. (People are really awful to dogs sometimes)

Dumb question but don't a lot of people let their dogs sleep in their beds? Wouldn't that constitute laying down at the same level with your dog?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand your situation. Our dog bit my child. I know everyone on here would say get rid of her, but we didn't.

The context is she is a very laid back non-aggressive dog and our child was seriously bothering her. The dog had growled several times but our child had ignored this. I had told the child to move/stop doing it when the dog growls but he is very stubborn.

We all learned a lesson from this, and our child now does not harass the dog and knows to move away of the dog should she growl, which she will do if our child "cuddles" too aggressively.

If your dog snapped with no warning, that would be scary. Are you sure the dog did not growl first?

I grew up with dogs, but the lesson I learned as an adult is that young children need to be taught how to behave even around the most relaxed, mild-mannered dogs and how to treat the animal with respect.

They are NOT toys. I know you don't want to hear this, but lying down on the floor with a dog is not the wisest idea.

+1

op, you've had the dog since January, which means your kids have had 2 months to learn how to interact appropriately with her. They still need a lot of training.

I think you have a Rottweiler. You may not know it, but they shed like crazy. Dobermans do not. Rescues like about the mix, and say almost everything is a lab mix. If you really want to know, do a genetic test. I actually own a Rottweiler rescue dog (on purpose).

1. DO NOT like on the floor with the dog. That's asking for trouble. Never put yourself on the same level with the dog. DO NOT like on the couch with your head at the dog's level.
2. Learn to watch for the warning signs that the dog is displeased with something. "Whale eye". (Showing the whites of the eye). Pinned back ears. Sneezing. Licking. You can google this. If they're uncomfortable with something you're doing, they'll let you know--but you need to learn to understand what they're telling you.
3. Dogs will warn you. Repeatedly. (See 2). A low growl, lifting the lips. A snap. If the dog wanted to bite your DS, the dog would have bitten your DS. Dogs are lightening fast--it wasn't a miss, it was a warning.
4. Train your kids, too. This one is almost harder. At least it was for us. I CONSTANTLY had to remind my kids to get off the floor and lie down with the dog, especially at first.
5. Find a trainer that specializes in Working Dogs--Rotties, German Shepherds, etc. Not someone who obedience trains beagles. It's different. Don't take your dog to PetSmart to be trained by someone who barely knows more than you.
6. Or try here: www.positivek9training.com


In the meantime, keep a closer eye on your kids and dog together. Don't let them cuddle--seriously. They both need more training first. That can come later.
And it will. I'm on my 4th rescue Rottweiler, FWIW. They've all been great dogs, some faster than others. (People are really awful to dogs sometimes)

Anonymous wrote:OP- I am the German Shepherd owner/handler from pages pack. 20+ years of working with German Shepherd Dogs. Both of the ones I have now are rescues.

Call the rescue group back and tell them they have 24 hours to take the dog. If they do not comply, tell them you will take the dog to a local shelter and that and you will explain exactly what happened between the dog and your child. Make it clear that you will provide their name and contact information to the animal shelter.

No reputable recue organization would leave a dog that showed aggressive behavior (and snapping absolutely IS aggression) in the home with a child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PLEASE think really hard before giving up on the dog. Dogs aren't disposable, they are family, and you have a responsibility to work with them and teach them just as you would any family

Oh ffs. They're ANIMALS! They aren't family and they can absolutely be replaced. If they hurt a child, no second chances. Quit putting DOGS before you're HUMAN children.

Yes, but this particular dog warned the child (which is what snapping is) when the child invaded his space. Sounds like she might be worth a second chance, and some training for the dog and the family. I do hope OP reconsiders and contacts a good trainer. But it is definitely her choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PLEASE think really hard before giving up on the dog. Dogs aren't disposable, they are family, and you have a responsibility to work with them and teach them just as you would any family

Oh ffs. They're ANIMALS! They aren't family and they can absolutely be replaced. If they hurt a child, no second chances. Quit putting DOGS before you're HUMAN children.

Anonymous wrote:PLEASE think really hard before giving up on the dog. Dogs aren't disposable, they are family, and you have a responsibility to work with them and teach them just as you would any family

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I was going to let this thread die because this has been a painful week for my family. But seeing these additional posts made me want to post an update. So, the dog is still in our house. And I can hear most of you yelling at me right now. I called the rescue Monday morning and it took until last night at 9 p.m to finally get someone on the phone for a real conversation. That conversation left me so frustrated, I can't even describe. The rescue coordinator said she would get me in touch with a great trainer, we should walk away when G is getting bitey, we need to train our kids. etc. I know all of this and told her so, and asked her bottom line, what is the process to return her. She said that it would be a very difficult process because they don't have a lot of fosters to go around, so it might take a while to find her a place to go, and that I should be aware that nothing good can come out of this, it will be a very traumatic experience for G.. she went on and on. I had been very calm about things up until then but at that point I got really upset and explained to her (as calmly as I could) that THIS IS A DOG. My responsibility is to MY CHILDREN. Ugh. So frustrated still.

I know you all don't know me and you're probably thinking why is this woman so wishy-washy and letting the rescue walk all over her? A good friend of mine who I talked to about this told me to "get NY on the rescue's ass" (seeing as I am a hard-ass from Queens), but it's hard when there are so many emotions involved. I am still determined to rehome her but every day it gets harder. You can all yell at me now, I deserve it.

One other thing, I wanted to make it clear to one of the PPs: there were no warning signs (whites of eyes showing, tail indications, ears, etc) because G was lying down in her bed, licking at my son's face. She looked totally relaxed and content. I've seen her show stress signals and I always shoo my kids away when that happens.

OP, this week has been crazy with the weather. I can see how it would be difficult to do anything about the dog earlier this week. But today or tomorrow, you can call a nearby shelter and tell them that you're coming by to surrender a dog. Tell them everything that you know about the dog, good and bad. Done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I was going to let this thread die because this has been a painful week for my family. But seeing these additional posts made me want to post an update. So, the dog is still in our house. And I can hear most of you yelling at me right now. I called the rescue Monday morning and it took until last night at 9 p.m to finally get someone on the phone for a real conversation. That conversation left me so frustrated, I can't even describe. The rescue coordinator said she would get me in touch with a great trainer, we should walk away when G is getting bitey, we need to train our kids. etc. I know all of this and told her so, and asked her bottom line, what is the process to return her. She said that it would be a very difficult process because they don't have a lot of fosters to go around, so it might take a while to find her a place to go, and that I should be aware that nothing good can come out of this, it will be a very traumatic experience for G.. she went on and on. I had been very calm about things up until then but at that point I got really upset and explained to her (as calmly as I could) that THIS IS A DOG. My responsibility is to MY CHILDREN. Ugh. So frustrated still.

I know you all don't know me and you're probably thinking why is this woman so wishy-washy and letting the rescue walk all over her? A good friend of mine who I talked to about this told me to "get NY on the rescue's ass" (seeing as I am a hard-ass from Queens), but it's hard when there are so many emotions involved. I am still determined to rehome her but every day it gets harder. You can all yell at me now, I deserve it.

One other thing, I wanted to make it clear to one of the PPs: there were no warning signs (whites of eyes showing, tail indications, ears, etc) because G was lying down in her bed, licking at my son's face. She looked totally relaxed and content. I've seen her show stress signals and I always shoo my kids away when that happens.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand your situation. Our dog bit my child. I know everyone on here would say get rid of her, but we didn't.

The context is she is a very laid back non-aggressive dog and our child was seriously bothering her. The dog had growled several times but our child had ignored this. I had told the child to move/stop doing it when the dog growls but he is very stubborn.

We all learned a lesson from this, and our child now does not harass the dog and knows to move away of the dog should she growl, which she will do if our child "cuddles" too aggressively.

If your dog snapped with no warning, that would be scary. Are you sure the dog did not growl first?

I grew up with dogs, but the lesson I learned as an adult is that young children need to be taught how to behave even around the most relaxed, mild-mannered dogs and how to treat the animal with respect.

They are NOT toys. I know you don't want to hear this, but lying down on the floor with a dog is not the wisest idea.

+1

op, you've had the dog since January, which means your kids have had 2 months to learn how to interact appropriately with her. They still need a lot of training.