Brothers boxer dog and my 20mth Ds

[prettywhiteguitar]

Hi I thought I would post here as I need some advice about how to deal with this and we are off to my brothers again next week.

Quick background is that last Easter we visited my Bro and his wife who had just got a rescue boxer dog, they have no kids and the dog was rescued from a large chaotic family with other dogs. They refuse to keep it separate from visitors as that's what happened to it before, it was caged and locked out of the house. The children used to rattle the cage.

So we visit and the dog takes an instant dislike to infant ds. He growls try's to jump on him, stares at him, constantly lunges. I spent the who whole time on edge getting in between the dog and ds on the couch. It doesn't get any better so we take off to a youth hostel and stay there. Bro and wife think I'm overreacting.

Fast forward to a year later they have moved much nearer and so we can see them more. The dog is slightly calmer but they will not stop him going right up to now 20 months ds, and letting him get his face right on the baby. Ds is terrified, so I pick him up and carry him round.

Later on the dog is calmer and my 5 year old is playing on the floor with duplo the dog continues to walk through it knocking it all over and getting in her face but she can tell him no so he backs off. He doesn't seem aggressive but it seems quite dominant behaviour choosing to walk over her and the toys. Eventually I can put ds down and they play together and the dog just keeps doing the same, I just get in between the dog when he does this and say no.

I guess what I'm asking is does this sound like the right thing to do ? My bro and his wife back up with the in laws all just go "oh he's just being friendly, he wouldn't hurt them etc etc"

I don't know, are boxers aggressive? I've had shelties and jack Russell's before so I know dogs, I just don't know about this one. They are so attached to the dog they can't see how he could just be inches away from ds's face "sniffing" and he could go for him ??

Sorry that was long but I want to work this out without putting ds in danger.

I'd risk offending DB and SIL if it meant protecting my children.

I love dogs but my DB's dog is always very closely supervised by my DB when we visit. She's walked, fed, has a new bone and sits on her bed. If she comes over to where the children are, DB is right there watching her (and I'm right next to the children ensuring they give her space etc). Her behaviour is curious only, calm and in no way near aggressive but you never know. Your DB's dog doesn't sound as calm and you're right to be wary. Personally I'd see them elsewhere until the children are older.

jaimelannister yes he is constantly pacing round them, wouldn't go in his bed and we were there for two hours. He was not always agitated but when I mentioned this to my bro he was just going on about what a curious dog he is.

Personally think they are in denial and he is a totally unsuitable dog for a couple trying for a baby, I don't know what the rescue centre where thinking.

Thank you for all of your suggestions it's helped being able talk about it on here, I think I am not going to leave it to my Bro and sil to say no to the dog, if we see them again I will be assertive and stand up holding the baby and get my 5year old to play at the table. I might even just tell him to go to his bed, I feel rude but really they aren't giving any other option.