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...

This situation has been ongoing for MONTHS. It IS irresponsible to only be trying to do something about it NOW. And even trying to find a solution will take time.

The responsible thing to do would have been to take action as soon as the problem came to light. Not months down the line.

Sometimes trying to do something is just not good enough. Only actually doing it is.

Harsh but true.

I feel sorry for the child having to live with a dog who hates him. Poor child.

But LBY she can keep them separate until she finds somewhere. Lets give the OP some credit eh? She has children, she runs a home while her DH works away, she manages to get dressed in the morning, I trust her to be able to manage the situation. Lets stop assuming she is a numpty who is incapable of dealing with it.

Am sure the dog would rather be kept shut away for a little while while OP explores options rather than be killed because of something it hasnt even done. Lets not forget its a Blue, if it can get a place in rescue its odds of someone with a suitable home environment taking it in will hopefully be pretty good. Hell if I didnt have a 3 yo Id be snapping the OPs hands off, id love a Blue.

I feel sorry for you to live with no compassion for another person must be horrible.

So what should the op have done?

I'm dying to know, should she have taken it out into the garden and shot the dog?
Because according to you she can't keep it, can't rehome it, and it's probably not too easy to dump a dog somewhere and demand it is killed.

So your solution is....what?

Tulips, owning a dog takes work, its not always a walk in the park and issues arise that need to be worked through where possible. Anyone who would get rid when the going gets tough without at least trying to sort the situation out frankly shouldnt be trusted with an egg to look after let alone a pet.

She said it was a blue and then said that the dog guy had said that it was a pit.

Tantrums I get the feeling people are just getting whipped up into a foaming pile of froth and dont actually know what they are typing. Maybe they are just hitting their heads on the keyboard and hoping something coherent comes out.

As advised by the dog trainer from whom she sought advice she should have had the dog put to sleep MONTHS ago.

What is complicated about that?

She said in her OP that the dog is sounding like he's at the end of his rope. Is she actually waiting for the dog to attack her child before she does something? Because it sounds like that is exactly what is going to happen. My compassion is for the child in this situation. NOT the mother.

Is it honestly likely to be rehomed? Even if it is a blue? If we are representative of the dog loving population, is there anyone here that would take it if we lived locally? This dog could unccomfortable around dcs and bigger dogs. How many people have the time and knowledge, no children and no bigger dogs and could tske the dog now/very soon? There dont seem to be any takers here (maybe op would travel with the dog) so whats the likelihood there will be someone local?

How long will you manage this situation Op?

yea yea LBY, the policeman thought my SBT was a pit, I have papers for her FFS. You cant tell if a dog is a pit by just looking at one you know

hairy I think you are right.

Everyone has some type of opinion, apparently fact is irrelevant.

I've been stopped by the police, thinking my dog was a pit.

It's not that easy to judge.

Fgs this flaming has to stop!, what help is it to the op?? -apart from destroying her self-esteem even more.
Op has posted here to get help REHOMING her dog, she DOESN'T want him pts so stop trying to get her to do it.
Just because her dog isn't ok with her son does not mean the dog can't live a perfectly happy life with a childless person.
Remember this ops pet, she LOVES him, she isn't going to heartlessly dump him or put him down-what sort of pet lover would do such a thing???
I don't buy into all this SBT media hype, having has two lovely, doscile ones myself.
ops dog is dangerous it doesn't mean to say other staffies are.
Op is keeping the dog away from the child, any sensible person would never leave a kid alone with any dog, even for a second.
Op is trying to rehome him so why flame her.
If no-one has anything nice to helpful or nice to say, don't say it.

Oh dear, this is a terrible thread, just awful.

I hope the 'usuals' who like to come on the Doghouse every now and then to stir shit up are reading this and now realising that its not always the 'barmy dog lovers' who are horrid to posters just trying their best, attacking a mum trying to do the best in a bad situation, disgraceful

If my dog turned on me or my child, I'd rather it was a yorkie-sized creature, that's all I'm saying.

There are trends in dog breeds. People live in housing estates and then go and buy athletic dog breeds built for walking 20+ miles a day...they are just inappropriate.

Horse owners are much more sensible. They get a quiet little pony for a bit of hacking...or a hot-tempered thoroughbred for an experienced racer etc.

Hear, Hear, hairylemon!!

yep BFG, and if a Yorkie turned on my child Id rather it was a mouse

And class is FINALLY being brought into it, only took 390 messages

LeBFG, your making assumptions about people on housing estates now? snooty

Pedigree your neighbour's story has sent shivers down my spine. Horrendous.

I have two big dogs and a toddler. Luckily they get on fine. I love the dogs and do sympathise with the OP. I would be tempted to see if it could be rehomed somewhere where it is unlikely to come into contact with young children, but failing that you should put it dow. Urgently, given the rottweiler-killing-two-year-old story which still has shivers running down my spine

and LOL at the thought of trying to make my SBT walk 20 miles. Id get this face

My staff would defo not make it 20miles

20 miles?

My staffy wouldn't make it that far :)

20 miles, I dont think she does that in a week lazy cow

What's fair is irrelevant. Life is usually very unfair. If you don't already know that you have a lot to learn.