Hubby wants to get rid of our little doggie

I'm speaking as a trained professional who has worked in animal services for nearly a decade, mainly with dogs. And there is no reason to get rid of the dog. The dog felt threatened - and rightly so, as far as it knew something was trying to steal its food. And the fact that the dog clawed rather than bit indicates that there was no intention to seriously hurt, just to warn away. What I'm wondering is how the seventh month was able to get that close to an eating dog before someone stepped in?

I had a similar sort of situation when i was too young for me to personally remember it now. My mother tells me that we had a cat named Freddie that clawed me when I picked him up. I don't even remember it happening. My father says it wasn't as bad as she says it was. Anyway, they ended up giving the cat away for fear that I would get hurt. I wish that they hadn't, but I did understand. But I really hope that you don't have to give your dog to another family :( I feel so badly thinking about that. I hate to think of your kids crying over it and missing the dog :( Maybe some other way can be found to keep situations like this from happening, so that you can keep the dog? I really hope so. I'm wishing you and your family well! ^_^

It really helps to be smarter than the dog. If you don't want to bother training it go ahead and take it to the pound. Its probably is a matter of pecking order and that can be remedied easily. You might try to find it a new home all the pound will do is kill it.

No, I wouldn't get rid of the dog. Children should be taught not to go near animals when they're eating. I remember when I was little, I stepped on a cats tail by mistake when she was eating, and got bitten. Things like that happen. If the dog had bitten your baby, that would be something different altogether, but, a growl and and a paw shows me that the dog doesn't have aggressive tendancies. In future, don't the children near the dog when he's eating. If the dog shows agression in other areas, then I would consider it. Otherwise, please keep your little dog.

that would be hard but next time it may be worse maybe try to feed the dog away from the kids or put the food were the dog can be but not the kids. that is not good my nephew has a good size scar on his for head cuz of the same reason but the bog bit him and ripped his head open. i would hate to see it happen to ur little one.

Check in your local newspaper if their are dog training classes near you, they are normally run by sponsers and dont cost a lot, the classes are normally one or two hours per week, also some of the trainers come to your house for private lessons, only a few are needed and like i say they do not break the bank, your puppy will learn to socialist and behave, it is worth a try before you take other measures, i had the same problem last year with my pup, i was virtually in tears and rang the shelter where i adopted her from and explained my situation and concern having a four year old and a eight year old at home, they were willing to take her back but recommended these dog obidience classes, i was given the phone number of the trainer and explain, he said that these problems are normal and to bring her to a class. (Well from the first lesson the dog knew who was in control) I did and a year on i still go, not cause the dog needs training but it's a great social time not only for myself but also for my dog olive, there are also mums there who push their babies in a bugging while training their dogs. Good luck and don't give up hope.

the dog was just doing what was natural when they think their food is going to be taken. It shouldnt be taken out on the dog, it was just his instinct!

Well I would get rid of the bully of a husband! He has his wife and children in tears! Just because the dog told the chid to "push off this is my food" I bet you dont let the dog try to pinch the childs food? It is obvious the children can do as they please but the dog cant? I have a friend who visits with her children, one of her boys is 9yrs old. One day he took my dogs bone from her and gave it to my other dog. My dog just sat there and cryied! He thought this was funny,so when he was eating his lunch I took it from him and gave it to my dog! He cryied so now he knows not to mess with my dogs! you could take food from there bowls they would not hurt any one they have been tought not to, so should children.

Yes, if I were you I would get rid of the dog. Safety and security of my children is much more important.

Well, the dog seems to feel that the baby is inferior. So, something like this could happen again if the dog wants to get her way. I think that the dog could probably be trained and closely supervised when near the baby to avoid this happening again. On the other hand, if you do decide to take the dog to the pound, there are a couple of tips for getting the kids ready for the separation. 1. Explain that the dog hurt the baby and is breaking the rules in the house. 2. Let the kids know that you don't want to get rid of the dog, but she will have to go if she hurts the baby again or breaks the rules. 3. Tell the kids that the dog needs to find a new home where there are only grown ups and where she will be happier. 4. When you take her to the pound, just say that you took her to a place where she can get adopted.

I think the real problem here is your hubby's fear of the baby being hurt. The dog was only trying to keep the baby out of her food. That's natural behavior. In order to make your hubby feel better about keeping the dog, I would offer to stand over the dog while she eats to be sure that the baby doesn't bother her. This will show him that you are taking personal responsibility for both the baby and the dog and should make him feel better about the whole situation. Good luck, I hope it works out so the puppy can stay.

Please don't get rid of the dog... it was only acting on instinct....sorry, but how was the baby able to get to the dog's food bowl? Maybe you will have to consider feeding the dog away from the baby? in a seperate room... or use a baby gate so that she can't get into the kitchen?? we use one on our office door so Scary can't get out....not only keeps babies out but keeps dogs into:-) I know it must be terribly upsetting for you and think how heartbroken your kids would be if you did get rid of the dog :-(

I think first of all its a SAD thing to happen to you. But the dog DID NOT bite the baby. That is a big point to make here. It would be sad to get rid of the dog, when the fault was in the baby, or noone watching her and not the dog. From my point of view, I have a small dog, dogs only growl and try to bite. I have never been bitten. And if the dog realized maybe it was the baby and not say YOU or someone bigger, it was probably just reacting. I'd feed the dog in a different spot and keep a better eye on the baby. You said you have others kids. Were they babies around this dog too? Or is the dog a new addiction since the 7 month old was born? It would be of great interest to find this out, if they grew up around the dog, and it didnt hurt them, it wont hurt this baby either. Again feed dog where it wont get bothered and keep an eye on the baby. DONT get rid of the dog for a little thing like this. I'm sure a scratch will go away.

No, you shold not get rid of the dog for a first time offense. You should watch over your baby better and make sure she stays away from the dog's food.

When you own a dog and have small children, you have to be extra careful. I cannot tell you what to do, but as much as we love our dog, my kids would come first. It also has alot to do with the breed of the dog. Some dogs are great around small children and some are not. Those are things you have to consider before you get a dog.

Please don't get rid of the dog. I don't know what happen to your dog. Someone may treat her cruelty. Perhaps, you can pursuade your hubby. It is not 100% of the dog's fault, isn't it? Your dog might not feel well at that time. You can also let your children know that some dogs usually don't want to be bothered when they are eating.

Dogs are very protective of their food, bones etc. Your hubby has the right to be angry, yeah animals are family but would you really want something really bad to happen to the baby. I read some of your other comments. Get the training, make sure the dog does not have a history,check the bread if they are good around children,and please, please watch the dog around the children...you can always get another dog, but you cannot replace your child. and your kids will get over the loss of the dog. I might not get rid of the dog right away but I would keep a close eye on it, a very close eye.

I hate to say this, but it really is your fault and not your dog's. Even trained animals are known to bite and scratch when they feel threatened. The dog was acting out of natural instinct, so why punish it? Just explain to your husband that you will be careful in the future and tell him that sending the dog away may not be good for the other children. Getting rid of it could lead to emotional distress in very young kids, as well as getting traumatized. You could also put a closer on the baby gate, so that if someone forgets it will close automatically.

i dont think giving up the dog is the answer. spend sometime with your dog with training feed him out of your hand you put your hand in his bowl when he eats and if he does it correct him trust me i went through this he can be trained

I would not get rid of the dog. THe poor thing. Just being a dog. All dogs (and people) have to learn to get used to another member of the household. give the dog a chance.