heartbroken and really torn update page 2

[binny]

My new puppy doesnt like my kids

He growls at them and has even nipped at Kaylee when she was just walking by him

He follows me everywhere, sleeps by my side of the bed, gets up with me in the middle of the night to check on the kids and is always at my side. My kids though are a different story.
He doesnt play with them at all, he just ignores them or growls at them.

Cam doesnt even want to be near him because he's scared that Teeko will bite him.

What do I do?
I want so bad to make this work! Do I give it a few days ( we just got him yesterday) He is bigger than my girls and I cant run the risk of him actually biting them but at the same time I dont want to give him up.

The only thing that would make giving him up not so hard is knowing that he would go back to his foster mom who will keep him until someone else comes along. She allready made sure that we knew she would take him if it didnt work out.

 

[SuiteDisney]

There are plenty of dogs out there who need homes and who like children. If you feel that your children are in danger, I would give him back.

 

[Saffron]

That is so sad and so heartwrenching, but giving him back to his foster mom is probably the best for you and for Teeko. Since Teeko was once abused (am I right or am I getting threads mixed up , sorry if I am), maybe he is best with older children or adults. Young children can be very frightening to some dogs. I'm sorry it's not working out. You wouldn't want your children to get bit and I'm sure you wouldn't want Teeko to have a bite "on record". Good luck.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I'm so sorry Binny.

What kind of dog is this and what is his history around small children? Has he possibly been hurt by kids before? It sounds to me like the dog might either "have issues" with kids or he might be trying to establish some dominance over them. Or he could just be scared to death to be uprooted and tossed into a new home and will settle down in a couple of days.

If the problem isn't too serious, I think that you should be able to work with a trainer and solve these issues.

Regardless, do NOT leave the dog anywhere close to alone with the children until this is solved.

 

[Serena]

Contact the foster mother. They are trained for situations like this.

Your puppy will need to learn to trust all of you. It will take time. If it is dangerous, your foster mother should and would take him back.

binny, right now, he trusts you and only you.

 

[binny]

Thanks gang for the support.

He is a black lab mix.
He was abused by his first owners from what we know. his back leg has been broken and not set.

I have no idea what his history is with small kids they said he was good with kids but I know his foster mom only has an older child.

I wont leave him alone with anyone.

He has to go back Kate just came in here and he just growled really loudly at her and she just walked by him and didnt even look at him

 

[SuiteDisney]

I'm so sorry to hear this, but I think you're doing the right thing. Don't worry, the perfect dog is out there just waiting for you. (((hugs)))

 

[The Mystery Machine]

{{{HUGS}}}
I've had to do that to. I tried to make it "work" for 2 years, and then things were really heartbreaking. It is for the best.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Oh the poor thing Binny.

I think they possibly determined the good with small children label from the fact that he is a Black Lab.

But still, abused dogs and very young children such as the ones in your picture, can be a very dangerous mix. The final choice is up to you, but honestly I think your family would be better off with an animal that doesn't mind some light tail pulling and wrestling.

 

[Saffron]

Awwww, I'm sorry binny. I think you're doing the right thing too. Please try not to be angry with him, he doesn't understand. He had had a really hard, short life. It was great that you wanted him! I'm sure he will find older children or adults who will fit his needs and you will find the perfect loving puppy who will fit your needs. Taking him back is best for everyone.

 

[Rajah]

I'm sorry, Binny. I know how excited you were about getting the new dog.

Have you talked to the foster mom to see if she had any suggestions? Or to a trainer to see if this can maybe be "trained out" of him?

On one hand, I think just a day or two isn't enough to establish a trusting relationship with a dog that has been abused and so would try to give it more time. But on the other hand, your kids' safety is at stake here and if it were my kids, I really wouldn't want to put them in danger, either.

It's a tough question. I'm sorry, Binny.

 

[Serena]

I'm sorry

 

[LvsTnk]

Oh {HUGS} I went through the same thing. Youngest DS could not establish his rank as higher than the puppy. I could not leave them alone, as soon as I left the room the puppy would be all over him.

Puppy had to go, he went to a family with teenagers. DS was hearbroken as the puppy was for him.

 

[JAP]

I have no words of wisdom only {{{HUGS}}}. It is hard to become attached to an animal that is not good with kids. Good luck.

 

[BethR]

Oh I am soooo sorry, binny. It IS heartbreaking.

 

[ead79]

Oh binny, I'm so sorry. I think you're doing the right thing to take the dog back to it's foster mommy, but I know how hard it is to give up a dog. We had to give up a dog (that we had had for 2 years) because we discovered that my dad was highly allergic to her and my dad was always sick. It was very sad. {{{HUGS}}} for you, binny.

 

[binny]

I know it isnt his fault Poor baby I feel sorry for him

He just doesnt knwo any different.
Ive always said the only danger a dog would face in my home would be getting loved to death. He doesnt want that at all except form me. he gets VERY jealous whenever the kids love on me or want to cuddle. I just dont think its going to work out

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

I'm sorry Binny. Sending lots and lots of ~*hugs*~ for you. I do think that you're making the right decision, though. It's just not worth risking your children's safety for something that might or might not work out. Your motherly instinct is obviously telling you that the situation isn't safe, and how awful you'd feel if one day you hadn't listened to that instinct and something happened. Not to mention that your poor kids having to be scared to be around the puppy. It must be hard, but it seems like you're really doing the right thing. More ~*hugs*~ Binny.

 

[mrsv98]

Binny,

Before you decide, here are a couple of things you can try to get the pup to associate the kids with happy activities. One tried and true trainer trick is to take a stick of butter and rub it on the palm of the person you want the pup to like. The pup should come close and lick the palm, then you pet him and praise him. Do this fairly often. Another idea is the "Treat cup trick". Fill plastic cups about half way with Cheerios. Encourage the kids to shake the cup and call the puppy. Make sure the puppy stays on the ground - no jumping - and let them give him some of the cheerios.

You have to establish that YOU are the alpha and he muct obey you, including your tolerance of the children. I highly reccemend
"Puppies for Dummies" it has sections on aggression and working with kids and puppies. You can also call you vet for a behaviorist and see what s/he thinks.


This is a problem, but it may be solvable and you *might* just get a dog that is wonderful. But definately do not leave your children with the pup until this is resolved.

Good luck!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I've been there and I say to take him back to foster mom now. It does hurt but the kids are more important. We had a dog that started growling at kids (we didn't have any) and ended up biting our friends daughter--we kept him and a couple of months later he jumped through a screen to take a chunk out of our paper boy's leg. Later we had a different dog, and she was very spoiled, but when we brought home DD#1 she didn't like it--never slept in our bed again--ended up biting DD#1 when she was 2 1/2--she still has a scar on her face. I stupidly kept her a few more months until DD#2 was born, but I shouldn't have. The kids come first!
BTW now we have a golden and he absolutely adores the kids.
Robin M.