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OK, I need some opinions from people with long time dog training and/or behavior experience. I am debating butting in with my sister's family and want to make sure I'm not overreacting on this.
My sister and her husband have had their rescue dog since the first year they were married, a good 10 years now. He's a lab/shepherd/collie mix and a good 90 pounds. He has always had behavioral issues and I've never taken my kids to her house because the few times I have, he's growled and barked and made me feel the kids were at risk. They restrain him and then after awhile may put him in their bedroom until we leave. He's allowed to sleep on their bed, no obedience training etc.
They now have a 13 month old son and have tried to be very careful monitoring the interactions between dog and child. It's not been too tough with an infant and they work full time, only have a lot of time at home on weekends.
Well of course you know I'm going to tell you that the dog was cleaning up the high chair, baby toddled over when parents weren't looking. Dog bit baby. Thank Heaven it was only 3 stitches on his lip at the emergency room.
The dog needs a new home and they had begun looking for one. I am upset because a friend of theirs suggested they bring in a trainer to advise and evaluate, and of course they are desperate to keep their first 'baby' and are grasping at straws and plan to do this. I know that the chances of finding an appropriate home with no kids for a 10 or 11 year old dog are not good.
The time to bring in the trainer was before the baby was born or even when they realized that they couldn't let the baby near the dog. They have never really establised the dog's correct position in the house and it seems a little late in the game now, especially given that this dog has never been trustworthy with strangers or children. They don't have the experience that is necessary to manage this dog, and I am so worried that since it's happened once, it will happen again and with much more serious consequences.
I am so worried that they are making a serious mistake by keeping the dog in the home. He's an indoor dog and has always been their baby. I have been a dog person all my life and the thought of this dog having to be euthanized makes me sick. However, the thought of my nephew being seriously injured is even more upsetting.
Am I over-reacting? I will not stand by and not say something. If anything happens to that child, I need to know I tried to intervene. Advice please. Do rescue groups even take a dog like this? He's not good with other dogs either, tries to dominate etc.
My sister and her husband have had their rescue dog since the first year they were married, a good 10 years now. He's a lab/shepherd/collie mix and a good 90 pounds. He has always had behavioral issues and I've never taken my kids to her house because the few times I have, he's growled and barked and made me feel the kids were at risk. They restrain him and then after awhile may put him in their bedroom until we leave. He's allowed to sleep on their bed, no obedience training etc.
They now have a 13 month old son and have tried to be very careful monitoring the interactions between dog and child. It's not been too tough with an infant and they work full time, only have a lot of time at home on weekends.
Well of course you know I'm going to tell you that the dog was cleaning up the high chair, baby toddled over when parents weren't looking. Dog bit baby. Thank Heaven it was only 3 stitches on his lip at the emergency room.
The dog needs a new home and they had begun looking for one. I am upset because a friend of theirs suggested they bring in a trainer to advise and evaluate, and of course they are desperate to keep their first 'baby' and are grasping at straws and plan to do this. I know that the chances of finding an appropriate home with no kids for a 10 or 11 year old dog are not good.
The time to bring in the trainer was before the baby was born or even when they realized that they couldn't let the baby near the dog. They have never really establised the dog's correct position in the house and it seems a little late in the game now, especially given that this dog has never been trustworthy with strangers or children. They don't have the experience that is necessary to manage this dog, and I am so worried that since it's happened once, it will happen again and with much more serious consequences.
I am so worried that they are making a serious mistake by keeping the dog in the home. He's an indoor dog and has always been their baby. I have been a dog person all my life and the thought of this dog having to be euthanized makes me sick. However, the thought of my nephew being seriously injured is even more upsetting.
Am I over-reacting? I will not stand by and not say something. If anything happens to that child, I need to know I tried to intervene. Advice please. Do rescue groups even take a dog like this? He's not good with other dogs either, tries to dominate etc.