To get rid of puppy?

[chubbychipmonk]

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?

[Booyhoo]

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]

Our breeder gave them at 8 for experienced dog owners and 9 for first timers.

[countrykitten]

Very many breeders will say 12 weeks and give first vacs too.

[sniggy01]

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.

[Mama1980]

Words fail me
I got my dog springer x lurcher at 8 weeks from a accidental litter heading to rescue. I was told at the time that usually 12 weeks old s best for both socialisation and basic good manners. She needed masses of training and tlc, she was in a bad way when we got her.
she accidentally caught my 15 year old dds hand trying to get a toy and misjudged, she was about 16 weeks and drew blood. Never once did I consider not keeping her, it was a accident. She's now 2 devoted, well trained and soft as butter, but it has taken a lot of hard work.
The company aspect for the pup doesn't seem enough here, he's getting walked but what about held or fussed or played with? My girl adores company however will manage for about 6 hours quite happily now on the rare occasions its necessary (I filmed her to check ) but as Pup would have gone crazy.
Having said all that if your friend is going to remove the sooner the better for the pups sake

[SilverApples]

Mama, why did you resurrect a zombie thread?
What was the point?

[BlatantRedhead]

We had a border collie who as a puppy bit my little sister (5 at the time). Sis had to have stitches, still has the scar. We had that dog for 14 years, she never did it again and was a wonderful dog.

Never ever ever leave children alone with an untrained/half-train puppy.

[BlatantRedhead]

Lol only just noticed how old this thread is!

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

Puppies are not unlike toddlers. Some bite when they get excited or teased. Also like toddlers they should be supervised when with children.

Your friend BVU not to have properly considered how this would all pan out and to supervise properly. But if she cannot cope and look after the puppy properly then rge sooner she rehomes the better.

I do think that her 'unreasonableness' is mitigated a bit by her taking him to training classes. She has obviously tried to do something.

[Crinkle77]

It really annoys me that people buy puppies without thinking it through properly.

[Sinful1]

If she doesn't get rid of or the DP can report it and have the dog destroyed as or has attacked a human