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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to worry about looking after this dog

23 replies

Dirtydishesmakemesad · 17/10/2011 20:17

A close member of dhs family will be going away next year, very forward planning but DH has agreed that we will look after their dog for a few days. I like dogs and have no problems with dogs visiting with their owners but i am really not sure about this dog. It is huge, a rotweiller and a young male, very active, not used to children whereas by the time the trip is planned we will have 5 including 3 of ages 3 and under. Also one of the amusing stories they tell about it is that they were encouraging it to play fight with one partner but it accidently bit the other instead and bruied her arm. I have no other concerns about the dog - I dont care about mess etc, we can walk it but i am uneasy.

AIBU to refuse to have it here based on the above - too careful? or justified in telling DH he needs to back out now.

OP posts:

mumblechum1 · 17/10/2011 20:19

yanbu. I wouldn't dream of having one of those things in the house even though we no longer have small dcs.

They should put it in a kennels.

Chattymummyhere · 17/10/2011 20:20

If you are uncomfy with it, and believe the dog will not be good around children you are NBU.. If your partner insists on looking after said dog tell him it will need to be crated when in the house so it is no where near your children

thisisyesterday · 17/10/2011 20:20

hmm.

i am not really a "all big dogs are dangerous killers" type person

but in this instant I think you would be justified in saying you can't have it. simply because it is NOT used to children, you'll have your hands full with your kids anyway and because they've been encouraging it to fight! i mean ffs....

if you do have it then at least take steps (if you can) to always keep it separate from the kids.

squeakytoy · 17/10/2011 20:21

Tell them their dog needs to go into kennels or they need a house sitter. I own a dog, and would not leave him in a strange home, with young children, no matter how placid he is.

The dog is likely to be stressed due to being in unfamiliar surroundings and small noisy children could easily spook him.

It would be irresponsible to just have him for a few days.

squeakytoy · 17/10/2011 20:21

ps, I would say the same about ANY breed, from chihuaha to great dane and anything in between

cuttingpicassostoenails · 17/10/2011 20:29

Five children and a rottweiler of uncertain temperament is a recipe for disaster and possibly tragedy. Don't do it.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 17/10/2011 20:31

I board dogs and have small children, I have had dogs here that wern't used to children, but then I also have dogs of my own andt he kids are very dog savvy.

I think in your situation I would only look after it if it is fairly easy to separate the dog and the children most of the time, that way the dog won't feel overwhelmed and problems shouldn't arise.

However if you are feeling very uneasy it's probably best to back out now and give the owners plenty of time to make otherr arrangements.

PumpkinStars · 17/10/2011 20:31

If your not comfortable, then the dog wont be!
With young children you can never tell how a dog will react if their not used to them! A big dog like that wouldnt have to be agresssive to hurt a child just its size could be a problem, ie.knocking them down etc.
YANBU!

Original poster

Dirtydishesmakemesad · 17/10/2011 20:33

ok thanks for the repliess :) I will tell dh i am really not happy about it, with this much time they should be able to arrange something else.

OP posts:

SacreLao · 17/10/2011 20:34

I have 2 Rottweilers and they are all lovely, well raised dogs that would never hurt a fly. One of them was recently attacked and had stitches to his face (by a cat I might add) and yet did not retaliate.

I have 2 children and 2 of the dogs were here before them, they are now 9 and 7 years old and have never had so much as a bump from the dogs.

So please do not assume that Rottweiler = Killer dog

However I would not allow ANY untrained dog, that has not been exposed to children in my house, be it a poodle, yorkie or Rottie.

SacreLao · 17/10/2011 20:35

Should say I have 2 children and 1 of the dogs (must read before clicking post)

pigletmania · 17/10/2011 20:37

YANBU I would refuse to have the dog, you don't know it or its temprament, and also its not used to children, should be big warning bells. Absolutely no.

foolserrand · 17/10/2011 20:45

Another rottie owner. Two fairly young ones with a toddler.

Trust your instincts, as was said above, if you aren't happy, the dog won't be. I wouldn't dream of having a dog used to being hyped up and play fighting near my ds. Recipe for disaster.

mumblechum1, I really hope you don't single out rottweilers as a dog to avoid. They are no more dangerous than other breeds and actually make perfect therapy (PAT) dogs.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 17/10/2011 20:48

YANBU. If in doubt leave it out. In the nicest possible way

I personally love rotties but I wouldn't be happy having a boisterous one around my DCs, or indeed any large and powerful boisterous dog who likes to playfight. Say something now OP. The couple have plenty of time to make alternative arrangements.

ScaredBear · 17/10/2011 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

princesspuds · 17/10/2011 21:22

I also would not have the dog in my home if it had not been socialised with children, also I would not be happy with the "play fighting" aspect of the conversation either.

I have 2 rotties and a husky as well as 3 kids, so I am not against the breed, just against any type of dog in general in those circumstances.

Inertia · 17/10/2011 22:21

Don't do it- dog not used to being around children, small children not used to being around dog. Not fair on either.

And would it actually be your DH at home every day, walking the dog/clearing up after it/watching it around the children? or would it be your responsibility?

The owners can put the dog in kennels, where t would be looked after by professionals in an appropriate environment.

SaffronCake · 18/10/2011 00:00

I have no issues with rotties on the whole, I would not rule out keeping a pet rottweiller with my children but...

If I were to take in said rottie I'd want to know thier full character, that I would be able to introduce them to the children slowly, that I was likely to command enough respect with this dog to be able to create the impression my children outrank it in the pecking order so that the dog is happy not to challenge them.

I would expect all of this to take weeks and I would expect to be separating my children from the dog much of the time. I would also expect it to be very difficult as my children would be excited and want to play with the new house guest all the time.

In your shoes? I'd apologise and if necc to save face I'd offer to pay the kennel fees if nowhere else turned up, but the work involved for you and the worry would just be astronomical (and the dog would probably hate staying with you too, it's not just one sided).

ShroudOfHamsters · 18/10/2011 09:16

No no no.

Not fair on you and your children and REALLY not fair on the dog. If it's just for a few days, the dog should go into kennels where it will be cared for and exercised properly by professionals. Not taken in by a family who don't have a dog themselves and have three young children in the house and whose priority will, quite naturally, be keeping the children away from the dog and safe. While the children most likely give the poor stressed dog a harrowing time and not a moment's peace and quiet (unless you lock poor dog somewhere away from them and thus on its own for most of the time).

And of course, stressed dogs in an unfamiliar setting suddenly surrounded with the noise and bustle of a group of people they don't know are going to be more likely to snap. Doesn't mean they will, but bottom line is you will just spend the whole time making sure your children are nowhere near the dog. Not much fun for anyone.

ENormaSnob · 18/10/2011 10:47

yanbu

I like rotties but the situation you describe is far from ideal and I just wouldn't take that chance.

bubby64 · 18/10/2011 11:07

I think YANBU, I own dogs, and have owned a rottie (soft old thing he was!) however, if you are not used to dogs, nor are the children, and the dog is not used to being in a household with young children, all of you, including said dog, will be uncomfortable and on edge.
They would be better either asking another person who is happier with the arrangement, ofr kennels or a dog sitter- especially as they have plenty of time to arrange it.

Ephiny · 18/10/2011 11:54

I love rotties, my favourite breed in fact, and they're often very good with children. They're not one of the breeds I'd automatically have concerns about.

I would not be too concerned about the 'biting' incident either personally- when we first got ours he had a 'mouthing' habit and did bruise my arm/hand sometimes because he's a big strong boy. But this was absolutely not biting or aggression or anything dangerous, just over-excited 'grabbing' - if he'd wanted to bite me I would have known about it! It's a common habit, though one the owners should really be training out of him!

Having said that, I don't blame you for being unsure about an unfamiliar dog in your home, especially if he isn't used to children. I think it's very unlikely the dog would bite/hurt anyone. But if he's not used to them he might be stressed by them. And little ones can easily get accidentally knocked over by a big boisterous dog, again especially if he hasn't learned to be gentle around them. If you're not happy about it, then don't do it.

Five children and a big active young dog sounds like quite a handful as well, not sure I could cope with that!

Butkin · 18/10/2011 12:02

YANBU - don't do it. We have a dog who is used to children and is a very relaxed breed but we'd never ask anybody to look after him. That is what kennels are for and we put our boy in ones that he really enjoys (pulls his way to get them when we arrive!). Why on earth would they put a strong dog like this into a family with small children?

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