Would you rehome a dog snapping at your toddler?(not a knee jerk reaction to events in media...trying to resolve this for months)

[Louisiasb]

Hi, I have 7 year old cockatoo and 18 month old dd. dog growls at dd if she walks past crate or sleeping. I have taught dd that she is not allowed to approach dogs when sleeping or in crate.however she has ignored this when I am busy and dog has snapped at her 3 times.

Dog is only allowed to sleep in crate and I know warning signs.however I am nervous that I can't trust dog as dd was very traumatised after incidents. Growling has also progressed to snapping.

I am not sure what to do. House is too small to keep separate unless dog crated all day. Dd very boisterous and don't trust her to leave alone. Have spoken to behaviourists but as house is too small there isn't much i can do.

We have child-averse dogs and when the children arrived we lived in a building site. If you want the family to remain a family, you make space, however small. What then if you have another child? No doubt you would make room. Of course your dog may be better off in another home. Dogs are hard work and children are hard work. Dogs are probably easier to train and quicker than children to train. I think you've gone away, OP!

Sorry I haven't gone away but haven't had the luxury of time to come back!

My oh and I have sat down and tried to find a way to create a space for the dog. We are in a very small house and struggle to fit the crates in let alone partition a space for him. There just isn't a space we can designate as his. We have considered moving to some where that has a utility room etc but we just can't afford it. We could definitely keep him if we had a house big enough to give him some space.

My oh has been getting up at 5.45 every day to walk him for an hour and then playing with him in the evening to he honestly can't do any more.

I fell that if he were to stay he would have to be crated during the day and I just don't think it is fair to keep him locked up and stressed compared to rehoming him to a quiet and safe home.

My dd knows she musn't touch but like all 18 months they don't do as they are told al the time. I am not willing to risk her safety over this.

I have tried desperately to think of a way round this as it has been a problem for 9 months. The times I have slipped up and dog has gone then gate etc is when he has snapped. It isn't a way I can live for next 2 years a least until dd is older.

I also have to consider dcs friends coming over and their safety and the dogs stress levels.

What have the behaviourists advised you OP? Have you been able to implement any of their ideas? A vet specialising in problem behaviours may be another port of call as there are a lot of medicines that can help nowadays.

If none of that is possible for you then rehoming seems like the best plan for everyone. Just be careful who you rehome to, ideally go through a rehoming charity.

i think you are doing the right thing, really i do. You have tried your best, your dog will be happier in a child free home :( for you

For God's sake, rehome the dog!

I cannot believe we are even discussing it.

By posting here you're showing you care about the dog, you're not simply discarding him. If you find him a nice home or maybe someone you know is willing to take him then that's the best all round.

You can't take chances with your child, however heartbreaking it is. It also sounds like the dog is miserable too, rehoming is best all round.

I'll have him (well we can't actually but I would if circumstances were different!!)

Bet there are tons of people without toddlers who would adore him and have more space for him to run around in.