I'm in the doghouse--any advice?

[fantasymagic]

We just got a beautiful Alaskan Malamute from the local Malamute rescue organization in January. This is our second Malamute, our first one died about 5 years ago. Anyway she was supposed to be good with kids. They told us she didn't get along with another dog in one of the homes she came from. We figured that since we didn't have a dog, it didn't affect us.

We live right behind an elementary school with a big sidewalk and lots of people walking. Although considering we got her in winter, the following incidents didn't come up till a couple of weeks ago. Once when we were hooking her up, she tore off to the school and bit our neighbor's dog, who was walking with the mom and 3 kids. Then last night she pushed the screen open on our sliding door and ran out over to the school and went after another dog, but we were able to get her before she bit a dog.

She also snapped at dd (7) when we first got her. But nothing since then. The rescue people said she came from a home with 2 little girls and thought we would be a great home.

So, I figure here is our option. Take her to obedience school and see if these habits can be "untrained." I hate to think she was abused and picked up these traits. Or, take her back to the rescue place so she can go to a home in the country, with no kids.

DH and middle DS are attached to her, so if it turns out we need to take her back, guess who's in the doghouse--yep, me.

I did tell everyone that this didn't mean we couldn't get another dog, just had to really, really check it out.

Sorry for the long post. Any advice for me--the wicked witch who will probably make the call to take the dog back?? I keep thinking about the Beethoven movies, and now, unfortunately I can relate with the dad.

Thanks.

 

[Luvinit]

All I can tell you is if your dog bites anything or anybody...you need to get rid of the dog. Especially if you have children!!

My Sis had a dog who would do the SAME exact thing...but just to other dogs...well during Thanksgiving this year at MY house she brought her dog who was 6yrs old...he did not want to be bothered and my 6yr old daug WALKED by him and BAM!!! he bit her BAD.. tore open her thumb...broke her wrist and broke her thumb...let me tell you it was a true nightmare....!!

We still love dogs...but if they show aggression towards other people or animals...we were told...They can not be trained or trusted EVER!!!!

Its NOT worth it!!! Trust ME!!!

Tracy

 

[Mermaid02]

I would return her to rescue and tell them what you told us. They can probably find her a home in the country away from other animals and most likely children.

This is timely to me because a German Shephard in the neighborhood bit a 3 year old recently- not too badly but he did need a couple of stitches. The dog was tied in his own yard (the little boy is a neighbor) and the child was throwing ice to him when the dog attacked. NOTHING has happened so far- animal control said the dog had to be quarantined for 10 days at the owners expense...... but this was 2 weeks ago and the dog is still home.

Luvinit- so sorry about what happened to your dd.... Did she heal okay?

 

[fantasymagic]

I appreciate your thoughts, and Tracy, I am so sorry for your dd. I can't even imagine how horrible that was.

 

[RUDisney]

The kids are already attached to the new pooch. Yep, you'll be in deep if you get rid of her.

I'd try the training route first. If you get a good trainer, you'll be amazed at the success you'll have.

 

[vald1977]

I would say bring the dog back. It just isn't worth taking the chance of her hurting someone.

Luvinit,
What a sad situation for your poor dd. Sorry to hear that happened to her.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

My brother was bitten in the face by a dog who had never attacked anyone before. My brother reached down to pet him and he was bit. My cousin (who was 20 at the time) saw it all happen and said my DB did nothing to provoke the animal. We were lucky that he now has very minimal scars on his face. But the bite was so severe that he only had a membrane holding the gash in one cheek together.

If a dog that I had snapped or bit anything I would be taking it back. It would not be worth the liability or my nerves any time it came around someone or something.

 

[Luvinit]

Thank you all...yes my DD is wonderful now...we all are animal lovers especially her.

I thought this would break her spirit...but it has not...she was able to realize what happened was not her fault and that this dog was just mean and not all dogs are. She still loves animals especially dogs.

Tracy

 

[goofy4tink]

I would love to be able to say that I thought training would help. Possibly it could. But, that is a huge 'possible'. I just wouldn't take that chance with my kids, my neighbors' kids, or other dogs. Besides the tragedy of a child being bitten, there is the possible lawsuit. I'm sorry the kids are attached. That makes it doubly hard. But I would say that the poor dog has to go back and into a home without the extra stimulation of kids/other dogs. We had friends in this same position and it was so hard for them. The kids will adjust and you can try again. Sheesh...who said being a parent is easy!!!!!!!!

 

[Kallison]

We got our labbie when he was a year old at the pound. When we first brought him home he snapped and left teeth marks on the kids and me many times. I kept saying he has got to go, but we never could do it. I would spray his lip line with bitter apple spray. I did the whole alpha dog training of establishing myself as boss. If the kids would play tug of war and he tries to bite up on the toy he will get you still. One day I looked out the window and my DD was SHRIEKING and her head was pulling back and forth, back and forth with the dog's two front paws on her shoulder. I thought he was killing her, ran out of the house screaming like a banshee -- turns out he was trying to pull out her pony tail holder. If you play rough with him now he does not nip, only with me and it is these tiny, tiny love bites. When I yell OWW real loud he stops and puts his head down like he is embarrassed. I know I should not provoke him or play keep away or tug of war but DH and I still do it with him at night. He never, ever bothers the kids any more or their friends. Luckily he never broke any skin. So what I guess what I'm saying in my long winded way it is possible to break him of the habit. I think with a dog you are always taking a leap of faith.

 

[EltonJohn]

I would first take her to a trainer, and see if they can't help your dog. <I>Note: a MAJOR part of training a dog is getting *every* member of the family to participate. The dog must know it's place (i.e. the bottom) in the pack. If your children refuse to participate, then training will be of little use.</I> If the trainer can't do anything, then take the dog back to the rescue and get another one. Then carefully explain to your children your reasons.

BTW, I speak from experience, my dog Bo had an agression problem when he was younger, and I have been attacked several times by this dog. In fact, I still have the scars on my arms and hands as proof. My parents insisted on keeping Bo and giving him to a trainer. When he was properly trained he was returned to us, and the aggression problems subsided. The only problem that never went away was his seperation anxiety . Through this experience I learned some positive lessons including perseverence, loyalty, love, and responsibility, amoung other lessons.

Good luck, and I hope you come to a decision that's right for your family.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I had a dog "turn" on me before, and it isn't fun. No matter what kind of training/untraining you do that risk will always be there, especially with a big dog like that. Mine was a sheperd Doberman mix and very well trained, until he just snapped one day. I hate to think what would've happened if it was not me and it was with my one of my little brothers, or worse one of my sisters. NO WAY they would've been able to handle him. YOU need to ask yourself if you are willing to take those risks with your family, feelings over having to get rid of the dog/change the dog will mend. Other wounds maynot mend so easliy. To this day I am still a little "gun-shy" on large dogs as a result of the incident. (We had to put him down after that btw)

 

[Talking Hands]

I would not keep the dog. No way. Bad habits like this can't be trained out and you never know what will happen. This dog is a time bomb waiting to happen.

 

[StampMom]

If it were me, I'd get rid of the dog, even if it meant I ended up "in the doghouse." Yes, it's possible that training could help, but I wouldn't be willing to risk my kids' safety on that possibility.

 

[RUDisney]

I rescind my previous opinion on training. Everyone else has convinced me that it's best to get rid of the dog. Too risky. Are you convinced yet?

 

[ChibiJones]

My parents got rid of one of our dogs. He growled at my little sister & snapped at my mother when she tried to correct him. That was it, no second chances. At the time us kids were upset, but we got over it. Looking back as now as an adult, I know my parents made the right decision. My little sister was only a toddler & he could have killed her. I'm glad my parents didn't give him a chance. As much as I love animals, I love my sister more.

IMHO, its better for him to go back to the rescue agency. If he bites someone, with his past history, animal control will likely put him down.

 

[fantasymagic]

I appreciate your replies and support. I guess having to deal with this stuff is why us parents get such big bucks.

 

[Serena]

Regardless of what you decide you have to tell the people that you got the dog from. They need to know. They can help you decide on what is best. They are trained for that.

Personally, I'd temporarily give it back. Let the rescue people see if a trainer would be enough or if the dog really has a problem and in the mean time you wouldn't be risking the children or other dogs around you.

If they can help the dog and decide it is worth trusting, then you can give it a second chance.

I'm sorry about this. I know it's got to be hard on you.

 

[LarryE]

Keep it..

I think it would hurt the dog more to give it back up now...

Every animal needs love and affection... theres no such thing as an animal that can not change.

Dogs were bred to be man's best friend and look where it has gotten the species "man" has treated them with the worst treatment.

I don't believe in having an animal then just giving it away because of some small issues...


Just like humans they need love.. it will pay off in the end

 

[RNMOM]

I'm sorry you're having to make such a difficult decision. I have had dogs in my life all my 48 years. We have been lucky with our pets but I have friends who have been bitten by theirs.

I would suggest since you have children you have to decide things based on their safety. If you speak with a trainer and are assured the dog can be retrained and you are willing to work with them, go for it.

If you have any worries about the safety of your little ones, find the dog another place to have a life.

I feel animals are very much like people in that what has happened to them in the past forms them into what they are now. If it is possible to train this dog to release his past hurts and be trusting and trustworthy, that is the challenge.