Behavior / Training question

[jamaica_dreamin]

A coworker agreed to take a stray dog ( 9 lb adult male breed uncertain) for the week end on a trial basis.

The dog is bonding to her and her husband (especially the husband who is in a wheel chair and will be home all day with the dog)

Every thing was criss till the 2 young grand children came over. The grandson (who is a bout 3 or 4) tried to pet the dog. The dog growled showed teeth once and progressed to a snap the 2nd time. (grandma said said the child was not being rough at all)

Every one is upset. He seems like a perfect companion for grandpa while Grandma is at work. Even the kid who was snapped at was crying begging Grandma to give doggy another chance. Grandma is torn. They really like the dog but do not want to have to crate the dog when ever the kids are there. They are very close to the Grand kids and would like them to enjoy the dog and learn how to treat animals.

Grandma mentioned that dog was found as a stray. He was taken in by a coworker who gave him to this lady. They just got him Friday night.

What do you think dog peeps? Do you think they can get the dog used to the 2 little kids?

[Nanook]

Re: Behavior / Training question

Dog must go. There is no place in this world for a dog that cannot be trusted not to bite a child. They are lucky they get a chance to part with the dog without incident, and that the initial snap was not a bite to the face or neck!

I adopted a Weim once. My innocent niece was not doing anything to the Weim (we were all present in the room, all supervised), and the Weim snapped at my nieces face. I was on my way to the vet faster than you can say Weimaraner. Goodnight Chauncey!

The thing is, there are true loving dogs that would NEVER consider snapping at a child waiting in the wings for someone to adopt them and save their life. They should go save one of those and let this one go night night.

There are legal liability issues implicated in this as well.

If your friend were to place this dog with someone else, given the circumstances...and at ANY time in that dogs life it bit someone, your friend could then be held liable because she KNEW the dog once snapped. In Minnesota, for example...your freind could be sued for everything she is worth!

Tell her to bring the dog to a shelter and explain the circumstances, and then get placed on a waiting list for a suitable dog that is custom tailored for HER family situation.

It's sad but it is also a no-brainer. We cannot save them all. Sorry!

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question



Oh Boy.

[Nanook]

Re: Behavior / Training question

Did not mean to make you bawl JD I know it sounds harsh, but the reality is, we must keep the little ones safe. I forgot to mention that my niece still remembers the Weim incident and is now afraid of dogs! Still to this day, as an adult and I find that very sad.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question

They gave him another chance.

He has calmed down and allows the kids to touch him. He plays with kids.(obviously with close supervision) They said he is housebroken and very well behaved.

Maybe he was just scared (too many new places and people)

Hopefully things will be ok.

[Suesumba]

Re: Behavior / Training question

maybe the dog and grand child were'nt properly introduced?

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SueSumba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">maybe the dog and grand child were'nt properly introduced? </div></div>

I honestly do not know.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question

This dog &quot;Toto&quot; is doing well. They love him BAD!

[23JAM00]

Re: Behavior / Training question

Good they gave him another chance. Who knows what that dog has been thru. He probably was overwhelmed and has since settled down.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nanceejay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good they gave him another chance. Who knows what that dog has been thru. He probably was overwhelmed and has since settled down. </div></div>

I hope so He has become the wheel chair bound husband's best friend fast.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question

Toto is missing. John was taking out the trash in his wheel chair and he bolted. He was out in the rain looking for him. His wife had leave work yesterday to go look for him. As of last night they had not found him.

They are beyond upset.

Let.s hope &amp; pray that he is found safe and sound.

[23JAM00]

Re: Behavior / Training question

Oh no

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question

I guess that is how he wound up being a stray so that another coworker found him.


She just got a call that he is home and is ok. A neighbor took him in.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Behavior / Training question

He bolted again yesterday When his owner gave up looking for him and was outside waiting for the bus Toto came back.

He runs out under or behind the wheel chair. They are going to try crating him when John has to open the door. He does not dash out on Mom, though.

[Nanook]

Re: Behavior / Training question

Another idea is to put a collar and leash on the wheel chair, and attach the dog. I tie dogs to my chair when they are young and being leash trained. It teaches them leash means stay by me and don't even think about going over there...

I am a FIRM believer in crates on so many levels. They aid in training as well as provide safety. (I know you know all of this, but I'm typing it all out anyway, someone might learn a thing) Then comes along a day the dog has to travel to the vet, or have a boarding/sitter situation so maybe you could explain the finer points to them so they get over feeling like the crate is jail. Even though I call it that jokingly, my dogs LOVE their crates! If I end up wondering where one is when I don't see one, the first place I look is the crates and sure enough, more often than not, there they are, all on their own.

Maybe you could also explain to them to give him treats in the crate, and even a little water pail so he is always hydrated and a nice blanket. Smaller dogs especially like the hard plastic wall ones as opposed to the wire they feel safer. It sounds as though this little one has had no training and used to running amok, which is probably why he was stray. Did anyone try to find out if someone was looking for him?

If someone could take him to obedience he could learn to sit and stay on command, or even the person bound to the chair could take him to class. We have a lady in a wheelchair who trained her Sheltie well, and is competing in obedience and doing great!

Good luck to all they gonna need it! It can be done but they have their work cut out for them, and good for them for trying.