I need help with my dog!!?

Question

i got this dog about a month or so ago. hes the biggest suck ive ever seen, but when it comes to kids, he wants nothing to do with them, which is a problem, because i have a 2 year old at home. any time the baby does something the dog doesnt like, he will growl or bark or show his teeth. hes snapped at my 3 year old nephew. he doesnt like young kids. i dont want to get rid of him because other than that he is a very great dog and companion. can anyone help me? i want to keep him, but i dont wanna risk our son getting bit. is there any way i can train him or teach even my son not to go near him (which we have been trying to teach him, but hes a stubborn little boy lol) so please please help me, with advice on what i should do, keep him or get rid of him or how to train him not to snap or growl.

Additional Details

thank you everyone for your answers and/or comments, but i have decided to keep him and work on it a little bit longer and take EVERY precaution.

Answer 1

if you are going to keep the dog you need to work with a trainer that can come over and help you, but your son should also know how to pet him properly, and not pull hair and ears ect. You may want to consider re-homing him the dog as well.
I have a two year old son and a 11 month old daughter

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Answer 2

First of all what is the 'biggest suck i've ever seen' mean?

Well, it is technically true you can retrain and rehabilitate a dog to stop this behavior. However, in the process of which, you are putting your children's lives and well being at risk. There is no easy fix for this and this dog may never be comfortable around children. It will take months of training and same with the children. 2 yr olds have low impulse control and while he may 'know better' he may inadvertently antagonize the dog.

Personally, I would rehome/return the dog to find a more suitable home for him. Perhaps he would do better with older kids.

If you keep him, you need a professional.

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Answer 3

you and dog need trained. then the children need trained. there any may ways to do this, the internet is your friend google it. then call a trainer on the phone and schedule training.

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Answer 4

oh lord i will get rid of that mutt asap!!! that's an accident waiting to happen specially with your little one.

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Answer 5

Management is your best bet right now. No interactions for your dog and your child.

You need to search out some professional help. Some one who uses positive methods. I will send you to a place to look for a professional.

Also, here is a short list of some books you can read to help you out...

http://www.hwcdogtraining.com/recommende…

and some more...

Dogs are from Neptune 2nd Edition
~ Jean Donaldson

Aggression in Dogs: Practical Management, Prevention & Behaviour Modification
~Brenda Aloff

Scaredy Dog! Understanding and Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog
~ Ali Brown

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Just a note, but I would avoid anyone using aversives to rehab an aggressive dog (ie. Bark Busters, Ceasar Milan wannabes, ect). http://www.associatedcontent.com/article…

This is not going to be easy, but it CAN be done. You must really think about what you are capable of. You have to be honest with yourself.

If you do re-home, please be honest with the new owners or rescue. They can't help him if they don't know what his triggers are.

Good Luck.

Source(s):

http://rewardingbehaviors.com/forum/view… very nice forum for reactive/aggressive dogs and their owners.

http://www.iaabc.org/ to look for a behaviorist, even if it's over the internet.

http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default… to search for a positive trainer in your area.

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Answer 6

get rid of him.
the safety of your kids is more important than the dog

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Answer 7

You need to rehome the dog. Your children are at risk and they are too young to know this and protect themselves. They are far more important than a dog. It is a shame but you must put the kids first. All it takes is once........

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Answer 8

You can go to a vet or breeder and ask them about obedience classes. If you have a petsmart near you they have obedience classes that would help your dog become more obedient. Dog that seem to have such attitudes see weaknesses in their owners and in you case your 2 year old. My dog will not listen to a thing I say but when my assertive father steps in he listens. Use discipline and obedience classes to help your dog.

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