Father and dogs

[harcourt123]

NC

My Dad has a Alsatian which is about 6-8 years old, not trained at all, very poor recall etc

Before this dog he had another Alsatian, it was exactly the same, not trained, very bad recall. The police even came to the house twice as it hurt two smaller dogs whilst playing, my dad paid for the vet fees

To the current dog. I took DD4 to see my dad yesterday and the Alsatian was there plus my sisters three month old Spaniel puppy

I had to pick my DD up as both dogs were jumping and running around. My dad eventually put the Alsatian outside but very begrudgingly and he makes lots of passive aggressive comments about having to do so

He also teases my daughter because she gets scared of the Alsatian trying to come up to her, running at her etc

I honestly feel like not going to his house anymore

My DD spent the whole time sitting on the worktops. My dad let the Alsatian back in the house after less than ten minutes, my DD got frightened if it went near her. The puppy is okay but it's claws are sharp and it too jumps up at you

I just feel that my dad takes the piss out of my little girl when he can see she's scared because a big dog comes running up to her. He will moan if I don't go over but at the same time he won't keep his dog under control, never has, never will

It's always off the lead on walks with no recall. I only ever went on one walk with him and that was enough for me

How have other's handled poorly trained dogs? I don't think I have a choice other than not to go to his house. My DD comes first

The only thing you can control here is whether your daughter goes to your dad’s house or not.

It doesn’t matter how others have dealt with dogs, all you can do is keep her away if you’re uncomfortable.

I don't think I have a choice other than not to go to his house. My DD comes first

Absolutely!

Of course you stay away, I would. If he doesn't like it, tough. What an idiot.

Stay away! We have had the same issues with a relative and German Shepherd.
They are guarding dogs and by nature will want to protect your father.
They also have a huge prey drive and squeaky toddlers can sound alarmingly like small animals in distress.
It will pick up on your stress (can be interpreted by the dog as you preparing to attack) and they are quick when they snap.
Luckily my relatives dog went for me, not my children. I was fortunate enough to be able to kick it off (I am large and fairly strong for a woman!) If it had gone for my child it would have been a different story. I no longer speak to my relatives and part of it was their inability to put the children before a dog.

Also, I am a dog lover! I have 2 of my own. They are just a more family friendly breed with less of a guarding instinct.

Let your Dad moan - don't take your daughter there. He is the one putting her in danger and could cause dog phobia in your daughter. Not worth it.

Suggest he meets you with dd elsewhere... We have ddogs. Older one was always put out when anyone came as she wasn't happy otherwise . Isn't that the norm?

I have a German shepherd. She is extremely well trained. I still wouldn’t allow her that close to a small child. She is just not used to them. She is also fairly clumsy and likely to knock a child flying just by running past her.
I think you have no choice but to stay away.

I wouldn’t go to his house. My DD is nervy of dogs and if people aren’t happy about putting a dog away (obvs their house, their choice) then I don’t go which has actually never happened as people don’t normally want to see a little girl scared

We have a similar issue with a very close family members dog. Big 70kg+ dog, not trained, not used to small children. We don’t go round and I’ve made it clear that the dog is the reason why.
They don’t like it, but my children’s safety is more important than their hurt feelings.
And I am a dog person. I have a dog of my own.

You meet elsewhere
Or
You take charge of putting the dog out each and every time and leave if you have to do it multiple times.
No exceptions
As soon as you see the dog you order it out and put it out standing by the door and close it.
The dog will be much easier trained than the humans, and you will find that the dog will get to a stage it sees you coming in and gets out without prompting.
To train the humans you need to develop a strict rule you have to leave if you have to keep putting the dog out.
Eg You can opt to give the human a second mistake of letting the dog in but not a third.

Before everybody piles on with their horrific experiences of German Shepherds, please remember that the individual dogs are not to blame for bad behaviour.
The breed is fine and can be part of a young/ big family when they are trained and socialised properly.
The fault lies with the owner.. not the dog.

But yes, under these circumstances I would not take your daughter to your fathers home.

So many hopeless incompetents that own dogs- Usually of this type of “ Macho” dog.
Why don’t people train their dogs?
Answer: Too lazy .

Don’t blame you, Op

Whilst in the house what were the dogs actually doing wrong?
Sounds like they were playing? ’both dogs were jumping and running around’ in which case small children shouldn’t be near anyway.

I just feel that my dad takes the piss out of my little girl when he can see she's scared because a big dog comes running up to her.
Adult man thinks it’s OK to make fun (or worse) of a four year old is sufficient reason to stop going to see him, dog or no dog.

Op, you would be negligent to ever take your child into that house again. It's a disaster waiting to happen. It's difficult, but you must put your daughter's safety above your idiot father's feelings.