What Would You Do?

[Rascalmyshadow]

My standard poodle girl has had temperament issues from day one but has always been great with our kids. When she was younger the next door kids would hang over the fence which would upset her and she became reactive.

Now she is not trustworthy around other peoples kids either at home or in public, so far we have managed her by just keeping her away from them.

I am now having a huge dilemma, my kids are at an age where they want friends over and I often say no because of her which I think is quite unfair.

What do I do, it has been suggested I muzzle her while we have kids at our house (even though IMO she could still cause an injury), crate her, keep her locked in my room or rehome her becaue the environment is unsuitable.

I don't want my kids to miss out on having friends visit or having sleep overs but apart from her temperament issues this girl is perfect in every way.

I would like other peoples opinions on what you would do in the same situation.

[Greytmate]

Why don't you trust her?

Edited November 20, 2010 by Greytmate

[55chevy]

My standard poodle girl has had temperament issues from day one but has always been great with our kids. When she was younger the next door kids would hang over the fence which would upset her and she became reactive.

Now she is not trustworthy around other peoples kids either at home or in public, so far we have managed her by just keeping her away from them.

I am now having a huge dilemma, my kids are at an age where they want friends over and I often say no because of her which I think is quite unfair.

What do I do, it has been suggested I muzzle her while we have kids at our house (even though IMO she could still cause an injury), crate her, keep her locked in my room or rehome her becaue the environment is unsuitable.

I don't want my kids to miss out on having friends visit or having sleep overs but apart from her temperament issues this girl is perfect in every way.

I would like other peoples opinions on what you would do in the same situation.

I had a GSD once like that who was a bit insecure with people that didn't belong in his enviroment in the home from a saftey aspect we couldn't trust him to interact with them. He was also perfect with us, well trained and obedient but ideally hated strangers in the home. Even after thorough training and desensitisation, testing on leash in controlled circumstances etc, sometimes unfortunately you can have a dog with a temperament that's not completely trustworthy in the circumstances your describe.

With our old boy, we used to either keep him in a spare room when visitors were over or bring him out to lay around with us on leash. He never did react when on leash and possibly may have been ok, but having a history of taking an odd lunge, we couldn't take the risk to have him mingling around people he didn't know well. It was a bit painfull in those circumstances having to put him away and supervise him with visitors, but you live with it and accept the quirk and it really wasn't a major deal and easily managed, we loved him and apart from that bit of extra supervision, he was a great dog.

Edited November 20, 2010 by 55chevy

[WreckitWhippet]

I'd have no sleep overs. Poodie won't be having any. Not because I can't trust the dogs but because I do not know how other people have raised their kids.

[becks]

your kids aren't missing anything by having friends at the house.

[tdierikx]

Have you sought any help from a behaviourist/trainer to try to sort out her issues? That would probably be my next step...

T.

[sllebasi]

If its possible, I would put the dog in a safe room thatt is not accessible to the children. Put one of those plastic door lock things on so you can be sure the children wont accidently open the door by themselves.

Depending on how old the children are, try desensitizing the dog to visitors but make sure the dog is on a lead and the time exposed is gradually increased if possible. dont think the children should miss out on opportunities and the dog may have a chance to learn and change behaviour

[Rascalmyshadow]

The reason I don't trust her is because she lunges at kids out in public, I hate to admit but she has snapped at one of my daughters friends and caught her on the face she has also bailed up one of my sons friends in the house, the only reason she didn't bite him is because my son was inbetween.

She is a very reactive dog, it has a lot to do with her genetics.

I have done training with her with a friend who is a delta instructor she suggested the muzzle, one of my other friends is a trainer she suggested the crate.

Modifying her behaviour could be dangerous because she is more reactive when on lead and I don't trust her to have her loose.

I do feel my kids are missing out they have had to work around the dogs their whole lives and it's not fair to now say they can't have friends play over. Anyone with out kids wouldn't understand.

[Rusky]

how much training have you done and what have you done ?

I have done training with her with a friend who is a delta instructor she suggested the muzzle, one of my other friends is a trainer she suggested the crate

[raz]

How about a dog run? I lock my dogs up when kids come over. it keeps the dogs safe from kids and the kids safe from being knocked over by easily excited dogs.

[jacqui835]

your kids aren't missing anything by having friends at the house.

I disagree. I loved sleepovers when I was a bit younger, and they now serve as some of my best childhood memories. If you can, I would work to be able to let your kid have sleepovers.

[persephone]

Your kids need to have friends over- being with peers,making friends,sharing home life is important

please contact a professional about this situation. As there is biting involved, and the problem may be inherited, I recommend someone like DR.Robert Holmes.

It is a serious situation, and you are right in being hesitant at trying some suggestions, in case things escalate.I would also NOT consider rehoming a dog who is human aggressive.

I hope you can get some help soon.

[TsarsMum]

absolutly no not rehome this dog it is dangerous.

i think sleep overs are extreamly important for kids.

but you have a massive dog issue. this dog is dangerous you need to get help

I wonder if this was a bigger dog this dog would still be here sorry but i would have PTS the 2nd time it bailed someone up first time maybe an allowance 2nd time attacking someone good bye dog

[Clyde]

Your kids need to have friends over- being with peers,making friends,sharing home life is important

I agree. I don't think it's fair that the kids can't have friends over because of the dogs. I have been in your situation and so I can sympathise. My dog wasn't aggressive at such but if a child ran, the dog would chase and knock them over and start mouthing (very prey driven) - this included my own child. WOuld you consider an enclosure that you can padlock? I have locks on my runs as I dont trust kids not to open them, even my cat enclosure has a padlock so they can get some respite from two legged monsters. I'm very firm about rules here with the dogs and kids and explain to visitors that our pets are not toys and they are to leave them alone. If at all possible try locking the dog out in a yard during the day, then at night bring the dog in to sleep in a crate (if kids sleeping over).

Either way, it's important for your children to be able to socialise at home. I have noticed my daughters friendships strengthen with the kids that play here and socially it makes it easier for the kids to establish stronger alliances.

[dogbesotted]

is it possible to have a secure pen/run made so that you dog has a safe place tobe away from visiting children and of course to ensure that the children cannot intrude on the dogs personal saftey zone.

I have noticed that whenever i pen my anxious dogs they just go make themselves comfortable and go to sleep... away from whatever is bothering them.

helen

[Ons]

another one who agrees a dog run is the best and safest option, room for your poodle to move in but most of all be safe from any visiting kids especially if you lock it.

Dogs get used to dog runs, mine did very quickly when they go and stay at my friends

[Red Fox]

Keep her crated and/or on leash whenever there are kids in the house (in a seperate room if you can). Baby gates on bedrooms can help to a degree too.

Lay down the rules with all new visitors, make sure they understand that they must not approach the dog, talk to her, stare at her, go near the crate, etc. Make sure your own kids understand and help enforce the importance of these rules to their friends too.

Never have kids in the house unless you are awake, alert and can commit to supervising 100% of the time. If you're too tired or too busy say no.

Some kids will never get it and will set your dog off, dont have these kids over again. Some kids are great, polite and follow the rules easily - encourage these kids to come back.

I have a large dog who is reactive to kids and this works for us

[asal]

absolutly no not rehome this dog it is dangerous.

i think sleep overs are extreamly important for kids.

but you have a massive dog issue. this dog is dangerous you need to get help

I wonder if this was a bigger dog this dog would still be here sorry but i would have PTS the 2nd time it bailed someone up first time maybe an allowance 2nd time attacking someone good bye dog

my poodle would bite if he thought my brothers were hurting me. why have him PTS?

they are the ones who tormented him by hitting me just to enjoy his distress when he thought they were hurting me?

actually his protectiveness came in handy when the kids of one of my mums friends came to visit, they would thieve anything not nailed down when at our house.

i would put him on his leash at the beginning of the hallway knowing they couldnt get past him without me or mum hearing him go of his head barking at them if they tried to get past him, to enter our rooms (none of our doors had locks)

id have an area that all hers when visitors come. be it a room or a pen and lockable.

its not as if she needs to be locked up 24/7 normally. whenever they have friends over isnt going to be such a big deal surely?

this stuff unless doggies perfect its a "danger" to the world is a bit over the top isnt it?

[Red Fox]

absolutly no not rehome this dog it is dangerous.

i think sleep overs are extreamly important for kids.

but you have a massive dog issue. this dog is dangerous you need to get help

I wonder if this was a bigger dog this dog would still be here sorry but i would have PTS the 2nd time it bailed someone up first time maybe an allowance 2nd time attacking someone good bye dog

If the dog bails someone up (or bites) it's a management problem. Manage it correctly and there won't be a 2nd time - and if there is then the owner needs to look at WHY and HOW it happened and fix the problem rather than blaming the dog.

Your job as an owner is to protect your dog from that which they are fearful of, not place them in a comprimising situation then label them as dangerous or aggressive when they fail.

[dancinbcs]

Definitely have a safe area such as a room, garage or dog run that can be locked to keep her away from multiple kids. If it is just one sensible child I would try a basket muzzle and keep the dog on lead to start to desensitize her. Get her used to the muzzle first so she doesn't just associate it with visitors.

Don't know what age your kids are or what age the dog reacts to but I used to have a dog that was nervous around small kids. The little brat next door used to tease her through the fence and she ended up snapping at kids if she got a chance. They were only little warning snaps for the kids to keep away, but still a worry. I had a young niece at the time and the dog was not comfortable with her at all. When they visited, the dog was locked up. Then when my niece was about 5, I started teaching her how to give obedience commands to the other dogs. Once she was confident I took her and the dog that didn't like her to the park for a walk. When we stopped I asked her to tell the dog to sit and then drop. The dog complied with the commands and visibly relaxed. Over a few months I had my niece do more obedience work with the dog, walking her on lead and issuing commands. The pair went on to be great friends and the dog was then fine around all kids from about 5 onwards.

I think the issue with my dog was she just wasn't sure what kids were. She didn't seem to view them the same way she did adults and was wary. Once my niece started treating her like an adult would, she realised that she was in fact "a person" that could issue commands and she stopped being worried. With your dog, she may not recognise kids outside your family as being the same species as her people. Maybe try the same technique with one visiting child at a time, with the dog muzzled to start with. Always reward the dog for any amount of progress and try to not expect her to react. Even try getting a dog savvy friend to come and help by holding the lead so the dog doesn't pick up on your expectation that she will react.

Edited to add that the neighbours that caused my problem had to lock up their Bull Terrier if they had visitors. The Bully was more than tolerant with their child and would defend him with his life. No one, including the parents could threaten that child while the dog was around so to make sure he never reacted to a little friend acting in any sort of threatening manner, the dog had to locked up in the garage if they had visitors. If the child wasn't around the Bully was friendly with everyone. Lots of dogs guard their kids and if this is the problem, locking them away is the only solution to keep everyone safe.

Edited November 21, 2010 by dancinbcs