Dog went for baby

[ParisGellar]

Wwyd rather than aibu but in need of advice

My mums normally quite placid Lhasa apso has just gone for my baby

He was on the couch next to my mum. The baby (13m) walked up to my mum arms outstretched to be picked up and the dog growled and squared up to the baby

My mum moved the baby away asap and nothing happened but I think he would have bitten him

This isn't the first time the dog has growled, it's the third but the first time he's looked like he may attack

Wwyd? My mum now wants rid of the dog. The dog is locked out away from the baby now behind a baby gate

[FoxInABox]

I gave him a chance but left everytime he let the dog back out. We do not have a good relationship and I only see him now and then, and only for my DH. The dog has long since passed away but was one thing in a long list of many.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I know it's not your dog, not your final choice but-

Your DS walked up with ourstretched arms -which toddlers do.
The dg might have seen this as an attack "Oh hands outstretched near my face"

Is the dog's eyesight poor? How old is the dog?

I don't think (IMO) that dogs should be on sofas,beds,chairs (and yes I know the "Pack/Dominance Theory has been discredited )

And everyone saying "Rehome"......oh , yeah, there are LOADS of takers for a dog with a bite/near miss history.
People will walk over all the other 1000s of dogs in Rescue to get a biter.

[ParisGellar]

He's only 2. I do feel a bit sorry for the dog because he was part of a litter from which our own dog came, dh's mothers bitch had the litter and we were there when they were born etc so we feel close to these dogs. That doesn't mean I feel more for the dog than my son- hes clearly a threat and my mum loves him so I wondered what my best course of action might be. I think locking the dog out when we are there but spending less time there might be the answer. If she feels the need to rehome him I won't obstruct that.

[ArmfulOfRoses]

It seems like you feel sorry for the dog?

[BettyDraper1]

Could your mum take him to a dog trainer?

[pinkie1982]

We have the opposite with my sisters dog. She goes for anyone approaching my son (my sister cares for him whilst I work). She growls, bears her teeth and then goes for their feet or hands quite visciously. She went for a passer by walking past his buggy yesterday. She is only small amnd very over protective of my son but if he is playing on the floor (he is 12 months old) she is kept in another room, just in case.

[londonrach]

Your mum is right and amazing gran to put her grandchild before her dog. If she kept the dog the risk will always be there. One slip up and the door is left open. Shudder. No your mum is a very sensible lady. Dog would be happier in a home without children by sounds of it.

[Leopard12]

Its up to your mum what she decides, I think it might be harder to rehome because of the potential issues and I'd feel nervous rehoming as even if no current children, visitors, extended family etc may visit the new owner too, baby gate/closed room seems a good option as it will probably be fine when the childs older, maybe it would winge less if it couldnt see/hear you? Or make sure it has favourite toys/treat/food to keep occupied, hope you find a solution your both happy with.

[Abinob]

My nans dog bit me when I was a toddler and I have scars on my face still (not that noticeable though, they're like dents)
Actually it was my mum's dog and bit my older brother first so went to live with my nan then bit me

[Stormtreader]

"We spend a lot of time at my mothers house and the dog isn't happy being behind the gate, whinges and cries the whole time"

That doesnt surprise me, the dog sees itself as the protector of your mum and isnt happy it cant do that, unfortunately that just isnt going to work with children or vulnerable people in the house.
I love animals, but the dog whinging for a few hours while youre there wont hurt it.

[sizeofalentil]

How old is the dog? If you didn't want your mum to rehome it and it's a middle-aged dog or older then you could possibly keep them apart for the next few years until it passes away.

However, if it's a younger dog rehoming it would be fairer all round.

If you want to give your mum the green light to rehome the dog you shouldn't feel guilty at all. Trust your instincts.

[ParisGellar]

We spend a lot of time at my mothers house and the dog isn't happy being behind the gate, whinges and cries the whole time

[Nivea101]

I'm thinking when you're not there the dog is your mum's baby and it is jealous of your little one when your mum gives it a cuddle.

My daughter and her husband had a dog that they treated like a baby but when they had a child they had to get rid of the dog as it's nature changed and it was aggressive and frankly bloody scary.

[Cloudspider]

Never take a risk. If there is a good dog behaviour expert (dog whisperer) in your area its worth a try. Sounds like it thinks it's protecting your mum. The expert would advise if it's possible to change its behaviour and what to do if not re-home.
Good luck op

[SaveSomeSpendSome]

My mums dog bite my step sisters daughter on her face when the child was about 2 years old.

My mum told my step sister to stop her daughter from grabbing the dog. She made 3 very pathetic attempts to tell her daughter to leave it alone and then the dog snapped and bite the toddler in the face.

She had afew stitches at A&E but the dog was never put down. It wasnt reported either.

[WalkingBlind]

The dog seems to have some jealously/protection issues around your mum, this could be due to the attention it gets or it could be that way inclined. (However small dogs that get a bit spoiled are far more likely to act like this).

It is totally feasible to just lock the dog in the kitchen or an outdoor kennel while you visit. But if her relationship with the dog is now affected then rehoming may be necessary, make sure to tell the rescue to not rehome with children.

[Benedikte2]

Support your Mum in her decision. You will never forgive yourselves if baby is harmed and young children scar so easily. If the dog is rehomed by reputable organisation it can be kept safe and so can any potential victims. Your mum isn't proposing to have the dog put down

[branofthemist]

There is nothing for you to do. Your mum wants to regime the dog. She is right.

Mils dog attacked my Dd. He but her head and detached her ear where the ear meets the skin of her head.

Mil refused to get rid of the dog. We no longer visit

[pinkladyapple]

I think rehoming the dog, as sad as it is, is a good idea. Locking the dog away is practical and obviously what needs to happen but in the long term the risk is still there as all it takes is someone to go into that room/garden and accidentally let the dog in.

My PILs dog tried to nip my then newborn babies head. Luckily i pulled her out of the way so just his nose caught her, and she cried for over an hour. MIL was there when it happened, and was in shock too. She agreed to always have the dog in the back garden when we went around. FIL wasn't there, and being the narcissistic idiot he is, decided I was completely wrong about what happened, and everytime we went round he would let the dog back in, meaning my nerves were gone and I couldn't leave quick enough.

Personally I wouldn't go round at all after that.

[cozietoesie]

She might also not feel entirely comfortable with the dog now with regard to herself.

[lucy101101]

Your mother is right.

[MunchCrunch01]

If she could manage it so the dog is shut upstairs it'd be fine but I can see why he'd be a case for re-homing, a dog that was a risk for biting my grand-child would be one that I'd want re-homed, totally understood.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

The dog belongs to your mum, she wants rid because she feels that's the sensible way to make certain your child is safe.

Why is this even a issue for you?

[FoxInABox]

I think your mum is right in wanting to rehome the dog- it is too much of a risk. I'm glad she is taking it seriously.

My PILs dog tried to nip my then newborn babies head. Luckily i pulled her out of the way so just his nose caught her, and she cried for over an hour. MIL was there when it happened, and was in shock too. She agreed to always have the dog in the back garden when we went around. FIL wasn't there, and being the narcissistic idiot he is, decided I was completely wrong about what happened, and everytime we went round he would let the dog back in, meaning my nerves were gone and I couldn't leave quick enough.