Should I keep my dog?
Oxnard Montalvo asked:
He’s a wonderful dog, 99% of the time. Very smart, easily trainable, young, happy, healthy, affectionate. He is half lab/half pit bull. Which we didn’t know when we got him as a puppy…about the pit bull part.
But he is having dominance issues with my 4 year old. He bit him in the face once, when my son had his arm around him (not hard, not unusual either.) It was enough to draw blood and scare the crap out of my son, and tried again the other day, when the kid wasn’t even touching him.
I always said I’ve immediately get rid of a dog if he bit one of my kids. I still feel this way, but my husband wants to work with him. However, it’s been a week since, and no attempt has been made to walk him or work with him. I have called some trainers, because I love the dog, too. I just think I’m going to be nervous around him with my kids–and try as I might, it’s impossible to “never leave a kid alone with a dog”. Only people without kids tell you to do that–I have three kids.
For now we are supervising my son more closely, keeping him away from the dog.
I feel like a crazy person for keeping a half-pit bull that bit my kid in the face, and I don’t think my husband will actually work with him at all. I also feel guilty for the dog.
Lucio
He’s a wonderful dog, 99% of the time. Very smart, easily trainable, young, happy, healthy, affectionate. He is half lab/half pit bull. Which we didn’t know when we got him as a puppy…about the pit bull part.
But he is having dominance issues with my 4 year old. He bit him in the face once, when my son had his arm around him (not hard, not unusual either.) It was enough to draw blood and scare the crap out of my son, and tried again the other day, when the kid wasn’t even touching him.
I always said I’ve immediately get rid of a dog if he bit one of my kids. I still feel this way, but my husband wants to work with him. However, it’s been a week since, and no attempt has been made to walk him or work with him. I have called some trainers, because I love the dog, too. I just think I’m going to be nervous around him with my kids–and try as I might, it’s impossible to “never leave a kid alone with a dog”. Only people without kids tell you to do that–I have three kids.
For now we are supervising my son more closely, keeping him away from the dog.
I feel like a crazy person for keeping a half-pit bull that bit my kid in the face, and I don’t think my husband will actually work with him at all. I also feel guilty for the dog.
Lucio
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Johanna
“But he is having dominance issues with my 4 year old. He bit him in the face once, when my son had his arm around him (not hard, not unusual either.) It was enough to draw blood and scare the crap out of my son, and tried again the other day, when the kid wasn’t even touching him.”
No
You sound like a sincere person trying to do the right thing. I don’t have kids, but I really don’t think I could keep a dog that would do that to a child.
July 25th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Leatrice
Wow. If your pitbull bit your son in the face already, it’s only a matter of time before he does something that proves to be either fatal, or at least a trip to the emergency room. It’s time to get rid of the dog. Who do you love more, the dog or your son? I would have already took him for his last ride by now. I know you love the dog, but the sooner he’s gone the better, and the quicker you can begin the process of getting over him. Don’t keep that dog.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:40 am
Leah
In some cases dogs are just very aggressive even without provocation.
I think you should either put him up for adoption and get a smaller dog like a shitzu or if you have the yard space turn him into a yard dog. he might turn out to be a good guard dog. If not if this is a case of your dog just becoming a dog then that 1% of the time could mean the world if he’s kept around your son.
July 30th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Enedina
Well as much as i no about Pit Bulls they are very nice dogs. People just judge them wrongly. Plus they were Bread to fight. I think it sound like your dog is just having some problems with attention. so maybe after spending a day with your kids and they are sound asleep, devote all of your attention to a session with your dog. i hope this helps!
-?
August 1st, 2010 at 2:24 am
Lucio
I am not going to get into ‘he did this cause he is a pit,’ craziness.
Whatever the breed of dog he is, he is not safe with children.
Either get a professional trainer to come in and train the dog or get rid of it. I hate to see it go back to shelter and become some one else’s problem. But as much as I am sorry to say it, sometimes it is best just to euthanize it. And if you can’t face that then work really hard (don’t wait for your husband to do it) and call a trainer and you take charge of the animal.
August 3rd, 2010 at 2:57 am
Wava
I would suggest putting the dog up for adoption. Make sure that it’s clear that he can’t be around kids, and make sre the new owners would be responsible, and take good care of the dog. It really isn’t worth it anymore once your dog starts attacking and hurting your family. You’ll feel good if you give him to a new happy family, and you won’t have to sacrifice your time or your health any more.
August 5th, 2010 at 1:14 am
Simona
Your dog has dominance issues?
You know you have leeway because it was your kid but if your dog bites someone else’s kid you won’t. You could be sued for money. Tell your husband that. You may have to put him down anyways.
Personally I would put the dog up for adoption at the pound. He may do ok in an all adult household with obedience training. If not the dog should be put down. It is not necessary to have aggressive dogs in society.