Dog really hates toddler DS

[TheHolyGruel]

I have posted about this before. I have two dogs (staffs) and a toddler DS who is 20mo.

My older dog (male) really dislikes my DS. He growls at him constantly and it is just getting worse. We had problems with this dog being dog aggressive but this has been overcome somewhat by walking him on a muzzle and walking the dogs separately. The dog has been checked by a vet, other than a recent worm problem (now sorted) there is nothing wrong.

We sought advice from a dog trainer/rescue person who we had a couple of sessions with. His advice re the toddler/dog situation was to put the dog down, as if something did go wrong then not only would it be a dreadful situation for us, but dreadful for staffies everywhere (another story for the papers etc, another crack in the BSL nonsense defence - I fully believe that BSL is bollocks and that the problem is not because he's a staff, but I'll talk about that in a moment). But I don't feel I can do it. In the meantime, any attempts to unite dog and DS are failing. DS is instructed to offer dog treats, to sit nicely and pet nicely, not to run up to dog, not to touch anything belonging to dog, etc. I make an effort for the dogs to be in the same room as DS as often as possible, but I am becoming worried for DS safety, as dog is really sounding at the end of his rope.

I honestly believe it is because the dog has been usurped from his position of 'first born'. The other dog displays no such issues, and is very fond of DS. The problem dog has always been the established top dog.

DH works away from home sometimes and has his biggest stint of the year coming up next month. He is away for a month, and I am petrified of how I will cope with this situation alone. It is so stressful.

In the first instance, does anyone know of a way in which I could find a foster carer for my dog, initially for this upcoming period, or is this unrealistic? He is fine with dogs smaller than himself and with older children (all children aside from DS it seems, in fact).

Can anyone offer any other advice or solutions? I think ultimately he will need rehoming, but I also know it's not that simple...

No they were bred to latch on to the bull and not let go. Are you getting it yet? Am I to gather that you believe a dog might confuse a person with a bull?

Signet, you'd get same reaction if it was a poodle or a spaniel. The child comes first. Training should take place BEFORE the baby arrives.

Dooin, if you can't see that being taught not to let go is another way of saying tenacious, there's not much more I can do for you.

Bye all.

I was talking about both Lemarch. You're obv defensive about your dogs. I have no beef with any trained dog. My dog is a rottie - considered to the devil dog by lots of people.

Dooin, your point about staffies laying their life on the line for their owner.. in this case the staffies entire loyalties are with the OP. That makes it heartbreaking for the OP but dangerous for the dc.

Retrievers were bred to retrieve ducks etc. from shoots it doesn't mean they go around retrieving babies, does it? No, because a baby is not a duck.

A dog can tell the difference between a bull and a person. Breeding a dog specifically to cause harm and suffering to a bull does not equal breeding a dog to cause harm to a person. The two are not exclusive. People are not bulls.

Did you see the bit were I pointed out that their fighting history meant that for centuries any bull terrier that showed any form of aggression towards a person was destroyed and only people friendly dogs were bred from, resulting in a people loving breed or are you choosing to ignore that bit because it does not suit your argument?

If you are still looking for a sanctuary near Bristol try Holly Hedge

"But some breeds such as staffie have been bred for eons to have tenacity. That makes them dangerous."

Just for clarification purposes, you understand.

Get rid of the dog. Don't hesitate. Do it now. Call the RSPA or a dog home and get advice but get it out of the house. You really shouldn't have to ask, surely?

I'm beginning to think that a lot of MNetters cannot actually read.

I am too Dooin.

I am amazed you are posting about this on here. What a waste of time. GET RID OF THE DOG. YOU are totally responsible for the safety and well being of your child. He trusts you to keep him safe. Do not let him down.

D0oinMeCleanin Wed 11-Jul-12 14:55:20

*JUST IN CASE ANYONE MISSED IT THE FIRST ELEVENTY MILLION TIMES IT WAS POSTED OP IS LOOKING FOR A RESPONSIBLE RESCUE TO TAKE THE DOG IN

SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THEM NOW AND HAS ALREADY RECEIVED CORRESPONDENCE FROM A FEW PLACES*

I don't see the word ' staffy' and instantly some red mist descends over me.

I read about a toddler who has a dog growling at it and snarling and an OP who says it scales baby gates and she is terrified that she cannot keep this little boy safe from the dog.

And then i read posts in support of the dog.

And i wonder.... who exactly is particularly hard of reading?

< not a dig at you dooin, I have no axe to grind with you >

As if to prove your point Dooin..

But she has posted about this before and clearly not done anything since. She might just do nothing again. If anything happens she could be prosecuted as she KNOWS the dog is a danger to her child.

I would save your breath. Everything gets twisted.

Shiney, to those who understand canine behaviour, Herbert for example, who has a degree in the subject, growling is good it is not the sign of a dangerous dog.

Growling is akin to us saying "Please stop I am unhappy with this/I am nervous of you"

Yes, it is something that needs addressing, but it does not automatically mean that the dog is an immediate danger to the child. The fact that this has been going on for almost two years and has not escalated further proves that this dog has a great deal of control over it's actions and absolutely does not want to hurt the DS. It wants to be listened to.

While I don't agree that rehoming is the only option I do applaud OP for going about rehoming in the right way.

Shiney, to those who understand canine behaviour, Herbert for example, who has a degree in the subject, growling is good it is not the sign of a dangerous dog

Growling is akin to us saying "Please stop I am unhappy with this/I am nervous of you"

Yeh god. What utter tosh. A dog growling at you is good. Now I have heard it all. A degree in the subject from where? Some second rate community college?

No, a yelp or a whine is a way of saying I am uncomfortable. A growl is like someone threatening you before they hit you. There is no 'please' involved.

A dog who consistently growls at a child, is a danger to the child. What part of the OP did you not understand?

Dooin, when a dog is nervous and is not given any other coping strategy it eventually bites. In any case I doubt it's nerves. It's part territorial and part habit. It's pretty simple to sort that kind of simple behaviour out but the OP hasn't done it. Whatever, it should NEVER have been allowed to growl at the dc after the first time. There will be a time when the dc gets too close, runs to mum or runs into the kitchen. The OP is playing with fire and that's what I and others can't believe. The dog should be gone by now. It's not something I would usually say - I believe all dogs can be trained.

Perhaps, Flatbread, you can tell us your qualifications in dog behaviour? Or vast experience in dog ownership? Oh, got none? Didn't think so....

And Flatbread, your degree is in? You're experience of training and rehabilitating badly treat dogs is? You've worked with how many rescues?

Herbert is a knowledgeable and experienced behaviourist who has and is doing something practical to help OP.

Her opinions and experience hold far more weight than yours I'm afraid with your grand total of experience seemingly being down to your own pet dog, whose season you didn't even spot

LookBehindYou, it should NEVER have been allowed to growl at the DC after the first time...

This is when dogs do bite. They stop growling as they aren't 'allowed' to growl and because humans don't usually notice the other, more subtle signs that they aren't happy with something they are then accused of biting without warning.

The ideal situation is where a dog knows it can growl and that someone will pay attention if it does, but it is so well socialised that it never or rarely feels the need to growl.