to ban MIL's new rescued Rottweiler from the house?

[PaddlingMadly]

MIL and SIL came to stay with 5yr old Rottweier bitch from rescue centre, she'd been abandoned.

I have DD and DS both under 3, the dog growled at them a few times then properly snapped (but not an actual bite) after DD toddled too close on her way past. I whacked dog and got very cool treatment from MIL as a result. I now insist dog not welcome in our house.

MIL thinks dog's just "a bit grumpy" and I overreacted. Bearing in mind I am a long term dog owner, have an MSc in Animal Behaviour, will forgive dogs most things, (but not this) can anyone reassure me I'm not just another neurotic mum?! How on earth can I get MIL to understand?

You have an MSc in Animal Behaviour and felt it appropriate to "whack" the dog, knowing it has been abandoned and therefore could have had a difficult past? No wonder it growls!

YANBU to not allow this dog access to your house, or near your children.

You ARE, however, BU to "whack" a dog for growling. A growl is a dog's way of saying "back off, somethings wrong". So do that! A growl is a warning.

How would you feel if you told me to "back off and leave me alone" and I hit you?? You'd probably bit me back. That's exactly the type of response you're likely to get from the dog - It'll bite.

Very good idea to keep the dog away from your hosue.

In view of the earlier comment that "Rottweilers are dangerous dogs", you might like to read Danny's story. It's a long one but well worth flicking quickly past the oohs and aaahs to read the basics of it. Danny was to be put to sleep by his owners and considered by them to have aggressive tendencies. I KNOW this dog, I (wo)man-handled him several times following his collapse, my kids play with him.

There IS danger - danger that Rotties and similar dogs will be discarded and/or die due to generalisations that THEY are "dangerous".