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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog aggression and baby

88 replies

WorriedMummy2013 · 01/07/2013 14:03

I'm worried sick. I posted in parenting before I noticed this bit of the forum. Can anyone offer any suggestions on what I should do? Here's my original thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/1792652-Dog-aggression-what-do-I-do

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 08/07/2013 13:42

You wouldnt keep another person in the house that was aggressive to your baby

You're not supposed to do that? Sad How does one go about rehoming aggressive 6yo girls? I didn't realise you weren't supposed to keep aggressive people around your children. I always thought when they were family members you were supposed to try to manage the situation and work on a solution.

Branleuse · 08/07/2013 13:45

its a pet. Not one of your children.

not saying it wouldnt be heartbreaking, but its still a pet.

and yes i do have a dog who i love very much.

She is still a pet though, and lower on my list of priorities and responsibilities than my children

Confusedandfedup · 08/07/2013 13:52

I'm not entirely sure why I bother posting on here either. Time to move on methinks. Life is waaaaaaaaaaaayyyy too short to engage with people who think risking the life of a newborn baby is ok for the sake of a dog. Irresponsible doesn't even come close...

daimbardiva · 08/07/2013 14:01

A year and a half ago I made the decision to rehome my beloved dog (whose fear aggression we'd struggled with for the many years we'd owned him) because I was frightened he'd harm my children. I did this for their sake, but his too; I just couldn't put him in a position where he might feel so scared/threatened he'd harm someone. My heart is still broken by this, but I also immediately felt a weight lifted off due to not having the stress of worrying about the whole situation anymore. I also know it's best for him to live somewhere he's not stressed. Over the years, we'd had behaviuorists in, and worked really hard, but with children around it wasn't possible for me to maintain the level of work needed.

Thinking about it does make me very sad, but I don't feel guilty. It was the right thing to do for all of us. I'm not saying you have to do the same, but just thought sharing my experiences might help.

idirdog · 08/07/2013 15:13

I am sorry that this has kicked off again Sad

A couple of points to consider:-

This dog is NOT aggressive - an aggressive dog would have bitten. This dog did not bite.

This is a dog that has considerable self control (maybe more than some of the posters on this tread Smile)

The dog was in his opinion in a very scary place and he warned his owners that he was uncomfortable.

They are now counter conditioning the dog to the baby and if this is continued for as long as the dogs needs it the dog will have no need to feel threatened and there will be no need to growl.

If the dog was aggressive then there would be a different response from the knowledgeable dog experts on this thread.

The OP is not putting her dog before her DC but is very sensible taking expert advice (not hysterical overreaction from non dog qualified people on a forum)

Let us know how things progress OP

ShoutyCrackers · 08/07/2013 15:19

It's a dog. And children's safety comes before a dog. Unless you're completely mad that is.

Incidentally, I like dogs. Would I keep one that had done this around my tiny baby? Of course not. I'm a parent first and foremost and children come first

What is so difficult to grasp about that?

Original poster
WorriedMummy2013 · 08/07/2013 15:32

The dog had several teeth removed which were rotten. I thought there was something not right there as he'd developed the dog breath of death over the past couple of months and no amount of teeth cleaning would resolve it. I think the vet may have also given him a personality transplant. He's like a different dog, or rather back to the way he used to be. Happy, relaxed, waggy and wanting to be friends with everyone including the baby. He's started taking toys to the playpen and squeaking them to try and entice the baby into playing with him. He must have been in so much pain for a while now :(

I'm not irresponsible. Quite the opposite. If I felt that the dog was dangerous I would have dealt with it accordingly. My gut instinct, knowing the dog well, was that all was not lost.

As for implying that I don't deserve to have my child, that's downright vile and evil. Shame on you.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 08/07/2013 15:53

im glad its all worked out for the best. Thats lucky for your child

D0oinMeCleanin · 08/07/2013 16:02

It's not luck, Bran, it's all down to OP and her patience, understanding and good care of her dog.

Well done OP. If only more owners were like you rescues would be much less busy Thanks

idirdog · 08/07/2013 16:11

OP that is brilliant. Grin

ShoutyCrackers · 08/07/2013 17:41

Blimey. What a sudden turnaround. How very fortunate for your baby.

Abra1d · 08/07/2013 18:10

This is a heartening story. Terriers can be lovely pets with babies and toddlers. We have always had them, since just before my two children were born and there was never a bite. Air-snapping, once or twice, when toddlers pushed the bounds and needed a reminder (from me) about how to treat dogs.

Booboostoo · 08/07/2013 18:16

Fantastic news OP! The whole story shows how lovely your dog was, not how aggressive! Despite being in considerable pain he restrained himself every time.

I have to say that in my experience with horses a huge number of behavioural problems are down to physical pain, unfortunately the animals cannot tell us about it so it sometimes takes a while to figure out what is happening.

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