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Original poster

Doggy People... I have a dilemma

24 replies

Berrie · 14/03/2008 16:31

My Mum has just taken in an 11 month old rescue Boxer. I love boxers but the last one we had as a child was a nutter and had 2 police warnings.
How do I introduce Dc to the dog safely? I know this is a different dog but we know very little about it and we wouldn't have trusted the last boxer with our children though we loved him dearly.

OP posts:

Original poster

Berrie · 14/03/2008 16:52

OP posts:

luciemule · 14/03/2008 16:54

I guess if you don't trust the dog, then maybe ask your mum to shut it away when you visit.

Aren't boxers supposed to be good with children generally? Obviously I realise that if they've been rescued they'll have baggage.

Original poster

Berrie · 14/03/2008 16:55

I guess she can shut him away. I was just wondering if there was a procedure for introductions.

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Mum1369 · 14/03/2008 16:56

I would get a professional dog trainer in to come and assess the dog. Also, they can then help train the dog around the children.

Walnutshell · 14/03/2008 16:58

I read that title as 'dodgy people' which brought me over - not sure why.

Anyway, re the dog, some ideas here

luciemule · 14/03/2008 17:01

The thing is, if the dog hasn't grown up with your child from the start and you don't know it's complete history, theres' always the risk of something frightening the dog and him snapping/attacking your DC (worst case scenario I know) but the dog trainer idea sounds like a good one.

YouKnowNothingOfTheCrunch · 14/03/2008 17:04

For the first meeting make sure you keep everything as calm as possible (for the kids and dog's sake!). No running around the dog, no loud noises, nothing that could put the dog off the children or make it react in a way that wouldscare them.

I would let the dog approach them, maybe while they're on your lap, and only if the children are not scared. Let them stroke him - make it a big deal about how nervous the dog will be of meeting all of you and how you must make it welcome.

I would keep the meeting short (unless everyone is getting along really well_, perhaps only five mins before the dog is put away and then a huge fuss made of how well your children did and how much the dog loved them.

Any of that make sense?

WiiMii · 14/03/2008 17:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Berrie · 14/03/2008 17:07

Thanks for that. I'm really worried actually.

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YouKnowNothingOfTheCrunch · 14/03/2008 17:08

I was going to add, have you met the dog?

Make sure you're happy with its reactions first, and then maybe move on, just take it all very slowly. And remember, this is not that other dog, but it might have its own issues. Be cautious and always be right there.

11 months is still very much a puppy.

Walnutshell · 14/03/2008 17:14

Trust your instincts and let the relationship develop over time with you watching.

Walnutshell · 14/03/2008 17:14

Have you explained your concerns to your mum?

Original poster

Berrie · 14/03/2008 17:32

My Mum was not responsible for the previous dog. We got him when he was 4 and he was terrified of tall men and behaved aggressively towards them. He never sunk his teeth into anyone but he did rip the bum bag from the egg man and he used to escape and chase joggers.
My Mum claims that the rescue centre said that this dog is ok around children but I don't trust her to tell the truth on this. In any case even if the family did have children, the dog was left in the yard with it's sister for 9 hours a day while the owners were at work and the neighbours' complaints led to it being given away.
Sigh, we'd just started visiting more because she's given up smoking. Now we are back where we started!

OP posts:

Original poster

Berrie · 14/03/2008 17:35

Yes I did express concerns as did my brother who also has children. She got a bit shirty. I think it's nice for her to have a dog, she gets lonely. We'll have to see how it goes...

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Original poster

Berrie · 14/03/2008 17:35

No I've not met him yet, she's only just got him. She didn't tell us before hand.

OP posts:

WiiMii · 14/03/2008 17:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Berrie · 14/03/2008 19:52

Sigh...I really don't think so. He'll be alone for 3 days a week and I really can't see Mum doing 2 hours a day.
Good idea about ringing the rescue centre, thanks.

OP posts:

WiiMii · 14/03/2008 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CountryGirl2007 · 16/03/2008 01:10

If you shut the dog away when you bring your DC around, that will only create problems as in the dog mind DC arriving = something bad happening.

Just because a dog is from a rescue doesn't mean it has something wrong with it, as I've said before dog's become homeless for the most silly reasons.

I'd say go around and if the dog appears friendly and playful (which boxers usually are) let your DC have some fun with the dog (don't let him/her hurt the dog though) usually dogs and kids are fine, I and my cousins etc when younger have grown up around cats and dogs and have always played around with dogs, even strange ones shockhorror and have never been attacked, ever!

LittleB · 17/03/2008 12:34

I would think it should be just like when any dog is introduced to your children, its helpful if the dog is on a lead, even in the house, and the children call the dog to them for strokes, rather than approaching the dog. Perhaps after they've stroked the dog they could have some treats and encourage the dog to sit for them therefore helping with its training, giving the dog positive feelings about the children and giving them something to do with it. Wouldn't have excited play until they are really used to each other. I am surprised they let your mum have him if he's going to be left for three days a week. Is she going to take him to training classes, they would help alot and the trainer will meet the dog and be able to offer advice about introductions too.

widgypog · 18/03/2008 11:01

havent read all of it but I was told once that when you have a baby and a dog you should put a used babygrow in with the dog (while you are still at hospital) and let it get used to the smell. Then when the dog comes home it will be used to the unusual smells if a small baby. This could work too with older children. Maybe get some worn clothes and put them with the dog a couple of days before and ten the dog will be used to the smell.
As an animal person I would say this is a little ott but if you are worrued it would work I am sure. If it were me I would just make sure the kids are quiet as dogs are much more likely to show aggresion when afraid

widgypog · 18/03/2008 11:03

btw I believe dogs get very jealous too and if the dog is shut away and sees the kids getting the attention it could provoke a reaction.

oggsfrog · 18/03/2008 11:17

Berrie, do dc have any experience of dogs? How do they react to dogs when you're out and about (are they nervous in any way or do they want to pet them)? Do you have any friends with dogs that dc know?
Can't remember how near your Mum is but could you not go and meet dog first on your own?
Are you and dh doggy people? (know you're not keen on cats )

horseshoe · 18/03/2008 21:47

We ran a foster home for Dogs for many years with our children and never had any problems.

In general we used stair gates so that the dogs could still see us but did not have access to the children.

The main point to make is no matter how soppy a dog may seem work on the fact that you will never completely trust them.

I have a yellow lab and he is the most wonderful family dog but I would still not leave the kids alone with him. Many of the dogs we fostered were turned in because they had snapped at a family member and yet they appeared to be lovely pets. But you never know when they are hurt, unwell or just grumpy.

My mothers dog is a rescue greyhound and will snap at the children if they get too close and she is not in the mood for them. For the time that we are visiting...i watch the kids like a hawk and keep them well away.

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