how do i tell dd about rehoming dog

[knat]

WE have had a cocker spaniel puppy for 4 months (he's now 6 months old) and we've had problems for quite a while with food guarding which has developed into guarding everything especially when dd comes near he's getting quite aggressive and it turns out that dd is quite upset that she cant play with him because of his barkign and growling at her. WE've had to come t the sad decision that we will have to let him go as although this may well be trainable out of him the time and safety issue is just not practical (our behaviuorist has confirmed that this is probably the best decision). How do i tell dd that he is going (she only bothers with him when he's out if he's away in his bed she wont even think about him for hours, coming home from anywhere she very rarely asks for him so i dont (well im hoping) she wont be distraught about it but how do i deal with it the best?

You haven't said how old your DD is but I would imagine quite little by what you have said. I think small children are more resilient than we often give them credit for and they bounce back quickly, even if they are upset at the time. Perhaps you could say the dog is going somewhere he can learn how to behave properly initially. Once he's gone, you could then say he couldn't come back because of his behaviour. I think you are making the right choice - your daughter has to come first - but it is hard. Would you be thinking of getting another dog or not? I was wondering, if not, about something like a rabbit/guinea pig which would distract her. Good luck.

thansk choc - shes 4 next month. We did think about another pet like a guinea pig (although she keeps sayingshe wants a kitten but i'm allergic!) just not sure how to introduce the concept of another pet especially as she can be quite argumentative/contradictory and anything i suggest which may be acceptable to me as a pet she wont want!!!!! What a minefield

How about doing some research and finding where you want to get your guinea pig from, then taking her along just saying you're going somewhere exciting. Let her look at them and if she likes them ask her if she would like one.

Given her lack of interest in the dog, I wouldn't bother with a pet at all! Guineapigs are boring, fidgety and greedy, rabbits are aggressive (and take more training than a dog) and hamsters bite.

Get a pet YOU want, if you want one at all. It's you who will have to look after it anyway.

mice are fantastic pets for kids - especially if you get some from a breeder (NOT a petshop)

They live between 1-3 yrs so are not a "long term" commitment if she doesn't like them / loses interest and they are dead easy to maintain (weekly clean out, daily handling and that's it)!

Re the dog: just tell her that it is unsuitable for the family as there is no time to train him - don't lie or say it is anyones fault - just be honest; she may cry or whatever but I think it is the best way overall

Is there absolutely no way you can train it? A good trainer will get it sorted within a matter of 4-6 weeks (thinking of my mum here - she'd get on top of it that soon if the owners really worked hard on it at home during the week)?