Problems with dog

krsnow · #1 April 19th, 2011, 09:35 PM

This morning our dog (6 lb poodle) tried to attack the baby. I was able to block him but he still made it to scratch Joey's forehead. It was a just a small scratch and the mark is already gone but I'm really upset about it. It's the first time he has ever done this with Joey. He has a history of being bad with kids, so I have always been extra careful when the dog comes near. I knew that eventually the day would come where I would have to get rid of him. I was really hoping that maybe he would be different with our baby and maybe become protective over him. I feel bad though, I have had the dog for about 9 years now and I know he is going to be depressed going to a new home. My sister offered to take him, but she works and is out all the time so I'm worried about how he will adjust. I feel like a mean dog owner making a quick decision to give away the dog, but what else can I do? My baby comes first and he could have really gotten hurt if I wasn't as quick as I was to stop the dog.

Juliebird18 · #2 April 19th, 2011, 10:41 PM

Did he just attack him out of nowhere or did something happen? That is so sad. I would be heartbroken to get rid of my dog but you're right that your baby comes first.

krislati · #3 April 20th, 2011, 06:28 AM

Did he get jealous of the baby for some reason? Not that it makes a difference, I would have to get rid of my dog too if he wasn't good with the baby.

mommydiva · #4 April 20th, 2011, 07:00 AM

I know its hard.
Is there something bothering the dog. 9 yrs old I think is pretty old for a poodle where he could have some form of pain.
Personally for me I would try other forms before getting rid of the dog. But I also would rather give my dog to someone who they know and are comfortable with then a complete stranger.

Of course family/kids come first. So in that aspect don't feel like a bad person.

stephie1012 · #5 April 20th, 2011, 08:33 AM

did he just randomly attack the baby?
Have you brought him to training? (real training not something at a pet store)
There are many other options before getting rid of the dog, thats been with you for 9yrs.

Army_Wife · #6 April 20th, 2011, 02:36 PM

That would be a hard decision. I love my dogs so much, and I can't imagine getting rid of them. But if there was a possibility that they'd harm the kids, I'd have to think long and hard about keeping them.

Was he provoked by something, like an accidental tail pull or anything like that? And did he try to bite?

If you do decide to find a new home for him, I'd think family would be the better option rather than a complete stranger. Good luck! I know it's a tough decision.

krsnow · #7 April 21st, 2011, 08:59 PM

What happened is I converted our family room into a play room for the baby, and the dog used to sit in that room all day on the couch looking out the window. I didn't move the couch out, I just removed an end table and lamp, and I moved all the baby's toys into that room. The baby and I were sitting on the floor playing, then the baby started to crawl over towards the couch where the dog was sitting and was making giggling sounds. The dog jumped off the couch and then tried to attack, growling and everything. I think he would have bitten if I didn't block him. So no, the baby didn't touch the dog at all, they were probably a few feet apart when the dog decided to attack. So i believe the dog is jealous of the baby and feels his territory is being invaded.

The dog has done this to other kids in the past, he scratched my cousin's 2 year old to where she was bleeding, and he has snapped at other kids. He is perfectly fine with adults though, so i don't get it. It's something about little people or the sounds they make. I thought maybe he would be different with our baby and be protective like normal family dogs. Since this happened, I have been keeping the dog in the laundry room with gate. Now whenever the baby crawls near the gate, the dog barks at him. I carried the dog in my arms today near where my DH was playing with the baby and he started to growl at him. So it's a done deal, my sister is picking up the dog tomorrow night. I have known the dog long enough to know he wont change.

Someone asked about training- I have never brought him to training. I got the dog from a shelter at 4 yrs old, already house broken and everything. He seemed to be Ok with kids back then, but over the years he became worse around kids to the point where I always have to lock him up when kids are over.