chubbychipmonk
Wed 23-Jan-13 13:12:44
Posting this on behalf on friend who doesn't know what to do.
She has a 4 yr old DD & 8 year old DS, is also in a relationship with DP who has 8 year old DD who stays at the house regularly.
She bought a Dalmatian puppy at Xmas who up until now has been playful & boisterous. She has been taking him to puppy classes & he seems to be training well. Last night however she was in the kitchen, heard a scream & found the dog had jumped up on DD & bitten her behind the ear whilst trying to retrieve a toy. Resulted in a hospital visit, tetanus jag & stitches.
Her DP (as well as his ex) now understandably don't want the dog round their daughter. My opinion is also that she should get rid of the dog as its too big a risk. However she has spoken to otherswho advise that the dog is merely being playful & she should persevere. Basically she just wants to see what the common consensus is, it's already causing arguments between her & DP. My opinion is she's being unreasonable to keep the puppy but what do others think?
chubbychipmonk
Thu 24-Jan-13 20:06:11
How old are puppies meant to be when taken from their mother/ litter? (Never had a puppy, my dog is rescue dog so have no clue)
8 weeks minimum. they learn vital behaviours and social skills in those last few weeks that can create problems later if it isn't allowed to happen. it really is a very important stage for the puppy.
coffeeinbed
Thu 24-Jan-13 20:15:44
Our breeder gave them at 8 for experienced dog owners and 9 for first timers.
countrykitten
Thu 24-Jan-13 21:52:37
Very many breeders will say 12 weeks and give first vacs too.
sniggy01
Thu 24-Jan-13 22:07:50
I think that they should rehome the dog for its own sake - it will only get worse as there is obviously hostility towards the puppy that will make him crave more attention. He's just a baby.
I have 2 dogs and would never leave either alone with mine or any children - although the dogs have never shown any aggresion. What so many people forget is at the end of the day they are animals and don't think like we do.
I'm quite sure this puppy was just playing but no one was monitoring this play and letting the puppy know its behaviour is not good.
I taught my children that if they wanted the game to stop with a puppy you have to turn away and ignore it - the more children scream,shout, roll on the floor the more the puppy thinks they are playing.
You just have to watch a litter of puppies playing to see they nip and bite each other - they yelp if it gets too rough and move away.
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