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...

Sorry but "expert" advice is a matter of opinion. Gina Ford classes herself as an expert... I class her as totally bonkers

I'm flattered Dooin. You've put me in the experienced camp, right?

Cannot believe this is even being discussed. You are debating about the best way to keep your vicious dog sweet! It's a dog and you have a real life human being that you are responsible for and who is helpless and dependent on you. Are you for real? Sure why don't you just put your toddler up for adoption?

Has the OP come back? I think she needs to be tracked down and the dog removed from her home. I do NOT want to read about a 20 month old toddler being mauled by the pet dog who hated him.

OP have you got rid of your dog? Not in a few days. NOW TODAY.

Tulips What are you expecting the OP to be able to do right now if there are no rescues with space to take the dog?

Yeah lets call the fbi and have them track Ops pc and then we can send the armed response unit round to her house or the SAS or Rambo or something

Has op not been back to the thread? Cant think why

Hey tulip, how about you RTFT?

Flatbread, your insistence that you know better proves my point for me. You are just trying to get your own back for the flaming you received when you acted irresponsibly. How bloody childish.

Well she was a bit stupid to be posting in the first place. What sort of response did she expect? "Ok then lovey keep the dog and only get rid once he's mauled your son/another child to bits". I hope she's too busy getting rid of the dog to be able to post again but somehow I doubt it...

She was a bit stupid for posting on the doghouse topic to ask about dog rescues and dog foster homes?

Where prey tell should have sought advise on rehoming or fostering? Her gp maybe? Perhaps she knows batman, I bet he could help.

Tulips, again RTFT. FGS woman have you missed all the rehoming posts? OP has been very sensible posting here - she has had lots of advice and lots of help.

That'll be what the OP is doing. Standing on her roof, waiting for it to get dark so she can shine the bat light thing into the sky....

Not stupid for posting in this topic. Stupid for posting full stop. The dog hates her child. There is no advice needed. Call the RSPCA and get rid of the dog. Easy if you really want to do it. Does not require an MN discussion first.

I have no idea what RTFT means.

Get RID of the dog. I adore my dogs (almost as much as my kids ) but I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to pts if they showed ANY signs of unprovoked aggression towards a human being.

Also, I don't blame Flatbread for erring on the defensive side, given the awful treatment she's received here in the past (for a mistake of far less consequence than keeping a dangerous dog in the home with a small child...) and I think her approach and comments are just good common sense. Positive reinforcement is a fantastic tool up to a point but some (most?) dogs require a clear sense of boundaries in addition to that. That doesn't mean cruelty or blind following of pack theory but rather a balanced, consistent mixed approach made up of rewards and clear boundary setting via voice cues and body language.

The op is not stupid, she wants to re-home her pet which is aggressive towards her son-what is wrong in that.
Op asked for help, people are giving her good honest advice, shame some off mnetters are being vipers as it doesn't help the situation at hand-Tulip!
Remember this ops pet, if she does re-home it will be heartbreaking even though she would be doing the right thing iyswim?

chickenshavenolips love the froth wiping

RTFT - means read the fucking thread.

Btw I am not trying to suggest op retrain dog etc and keep it cos IMO (to which we are entitled) it would be bonkers

Wow. Now a dog that has coped with being around a toddler that it's uncomfortable around/doesn't like for two years without ever doing anything to harm the toddler is a dangerous dog...

Tulips, the RSPCA will not take anyone's unwanted pet dog.

" Call the RSPCA and get rid of the dog. "

And this is why she should post here, she's actually got more useful advice than telling her to give to dog to a charity which will not take it.

That is a good point midori

THE OP IS REHOMING HER DOG. SEVERAL MNERS ARE HELPING HER FIND A SUITABLE FOSTER PLACEMENT. SHE IS NOT USING HER TODDLER AS THE DOG'S CHEW TOY.

Apologies for shouting. I think early on a couple of people suggested ways in which the OP might possibly work on keeping her beloved dog. The OP stated that the situation was untenable. Then everyone started trying to find the dog a home. Except all the people who continued berating the OP for being terrible and putting her dog above her child. Except she wasn't, hasn't and isn't. BTW, the OP has stated that she is suffering from PND and stress, so kicking the crap out of her for chuckles is a pretty poor show.

It's not a good point at all. The OP was very lucky. To have your dog growl at your dc consistently and have no go areas for the dc for two years and do nothing about it is nuts.

Exactly Chickens-Give the op a break people

Dear Mumsnet, there is a person in my house with a loaded shotgun. This person hates my baby and can scale the gates between themself and said baby. However, I have loyalty towards loaded shotgun person and so rather than chuck them out to the far side of fuck, I would like to find shotgun owner another comfy home, and in the mean time, they can stay here, even though every minute they spend with my baby is one minute closer to the possibility they will shoot him.

Even nice dogs have the potential to be dangerous. If any dog growls at an adult/child for no apparent reason they have the potential to cause serious harm. Staffies are extremely powerful dogs; I wouldn't like to cross an upset one and I'm a full-grown adult. A toddler wouldn't stand a chance ...I don't know why this is even a discussion, quite frankly.