Lablover Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 7 children under the age of 12 with inexperienced owners and a large dog. Just read through quickly, this is not a suitable home. BTW, chain, this dog is chained?? As Gillie ? mentioned, the dog at the very least needs a quiet area and may I ask two questions. Where was the youngster obtained from? Is any history known? How long have they had the dog? How is the mother of 7 young children, going to cope, is she Superwoman? This dog will accidently bowl the kids over, kids yell and scream in play, no mother can supervise 24 hours per day etc etc etc etc. Sorry if this offends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 (edited) . Edited May 19, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Australdi Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Aus, I don't want to upset you, but I'm feeling a bit frustrated that a thread which involves the safety of children is going OT on an argument about what you think people think of you ;)The little ones in this family are only about 18mths old...right at Rotty pup face level, I just want to help my friend and the dog to make sure this doesn't happen and given one child already has a puncture in the hand I feel it is quite serious. Personally I have an 8yo snoring on the lounge using a Dobe's rump for a pillow. Luck, breeding or the way he was raised ? I'm not qualified to answer that just because my dog is a certain way doesn't mean the way I have handled him is an answer to every problem. Sunny I can understand your concern & I am in no way trying to hijack this thread...but each time I try to offer some advice I have been subjected to mortar fire! I am fairly confident in saying that the fact that your 8yold is sleeping on your dobe's rump is due to the good socialisation & leadership he recieved from you (although I've noticed that dobe's are particularily tolerant of both children & pups..but hey, maybe that's just the way we have raised them! ) I too am concerned for your friends kids, & personally, untill they recieve specific help with the dog, I would personally reccomend keeping the children away from the dog...as at the moment, it is unpredictable :D...where I seem to differ from everyone else..is that I don't put the onus on the dog...I put it back on the handlers, which is why I try to offer some ways to overcome undesirable traits in dogs....& I have been on the recieving end of quite a few! (and horses as well!)...but all have responded posetively to strong & consistant guidence & patience and as yet...I haven't had a dog or horse who has "beaten" me yet! :D...even those that others have said were uncontrollable & needed to be PTS! I've been able to break through their fear barriers!...with love, compassion & consistancy..and to some degree obstinancy! Sunny...all I'm trying to do is offer as much help as I know how to do....I don't want to create the ruckus that is going on at the moment...but I do feel that I have the right to defend what I know....I hope I haven't been too much of a distraction, and that through it all all the good advice can be used to help your friend! peace Aus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lablover Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 And thank heavens I also read this youngster did not come from a registered breeder. There would be no way on earth, I would sell a pup to such a family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Australdi Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 ...seriously...it's not that different to what you are doing, except that I am a bit more responsive & accept & understand what my dogs are saying in their language Aus And you would know that you are a better all rounder than I am at dog lanugage and understanding......how? A bit presumtive perhaps? I wonder if we can take this discussion to another thread instead of hijacking this one. Would you like to kick it off Erny? Fine! start a new thread...what will it prove? I've made no comments on your ability to understand dog language, but you seem to have a lot to critisize about my training methods...so yeah, by all means; take it to another thread wher it belongs! Aus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lablover Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 STOP FIGHTING HUMANS. Goodness, sometimes we are worse than aggressive dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbear Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 What it proves is that THIS thread is about helping a family. Please prove or disprove your theories elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Australdi Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 STOP FIGHTING HUMANS. Goodness, sometimes we are worse than aggressive dogs. I whole heartedly agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 where I seem to differ from everyone else..is that I don't put the onus on the dog...I put it back on the handlers, which is why I try to offer some ways to overcome undesirable traits in dogs....& I have been on the recieving end of quite a few! (and horses as well!)...but all have responded posetively to strong & consistant guidence & patience and as yet...I haven't had a dog or horse who has "beaten" me yet! ...even those that others have said were uncontrollable & needed to be PTS!I've been able to break through their fear barriers!...with love, compassion & consistancy..and to some degree obstinancy! Wow, really? Haven't had even one dog you couldn't fix? So where did you study and learn to train dogs? Where are you working now? Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbear Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Back to topic. I'm sure you meant well and love this pup very much, but I dont think that it is the right pet for your family. I am reluctant to rehome pups especially to homes with ANY very small children. The simple truth is that young children and young dogs need SO much time and attention. Think about it seriously. Please dont feel that you need to do "the right thing" and struggle on. Sometimes things dont work out how we plan, and you just have to face the truth and realise that a mistake was made. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 (edited) I wonder if we can take this discussion to another thread instead of hijacking this one. Would you like to kick it off Erny? I have a "new topic" all prepared. Just need to hit the "submit" button. To kick it off, I've included our initial paragraphs on the topic of 'alpha or not' by way of quotes. cavNrott's quotes, my quotes and a quote from Australdi. Is that ok? I'll hold off for a few moments in case any of cNr or Aus don't want their quotes pasted there (I've only selected the para's which are relevant to this NEW topic). That will then allow this topic to keep on track. Just espied the new posts that've come in since I've been busy preparing the new topic. Those concerned, can we PLEASE not argue. Keep it calm. Agree to disagree. Concede a point when there is one to concede. Don't get hot under the collar in EITHER thread. Oops! Seems everyone's gone to bed! Good thing - I should too. But I put a bit of work into cutting and pasting to form the new topic. Don't want to waste it so will go ahead. Hope nobody minds. HERE's the link to the new thread for those who might be interested. Sorry (again) Sunny. This might at least allow your thread to go back to and remain ON topic. ;) Edited September 16, 2006 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle1970 Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Hello & Thanks for the advice , I am the owner of the dog in topic . I would just like to make a few points clear . Mason is a good puppy & being the puppy that he is he was chewing on a food wrapper that had fallen out of the bin , my daughter was concerned about him & ran up to him without thinking tried to take it from him , this is when he bit her . Otherwise he has not shown any sign of aggresive behaviour, sure he nip's like all pup's do . He also gets a litte excited at times & forgets him self & plays a little rough i settle him at these times . He has his own space & loves his bed which he sleeps on with the cat !! I agree he is a big dog to have with such a large family & twins , i wanted a big dog & a pup as i thought that if he grew up with my kids he would be a good dog & he would have learnt some patience etc . I spend time with him each day , he walks on the lead , sits when i stop , will not take his doggy treat from my hand until he is told to . My twins feedhim under my supervision of a morning he takes dog biscuts from there hands . When he first came here he was a little rough and would jump on the kids but now since they have told him No he does seem to have settled down on that issue , my twins raise there hands up if he comes near them and he is playing rough they also say no , they have learnt this from the older kids . My 18 month old twins also walk with him on his lead everyday after i have done so around the back yard . Maybe i have made a mistake in getting a big dog , but he was only 8 weeks old when we got him and for some reason i thought he would grow in to our family with love and guidance , this on both parts speaking of my kids . He seems to be a quick learner and picks up things easily , I try to spend 40 mins outside each day with him , maybe i need to talk about my techniques with a professional trainer . I also do not tie the dog up , he never has been . Tonight i put him on his lead to feed i put his food down & tried to get his attention , just to look at me he finally did and he was realsed to go to his bowl , i wanted him to focus on me not his food . Maybe i should not have approached him whilst he was eatting , but as soon as i was close enough to him he growled at me ( his mummy who he looks at with loving eyes ) I then patted him and he growled at me again !! This is when i called my husband . The dog Mason was still eatting and my husband stood near him and said called his name Mason growled my husband took his bowl and said no and gave his bowl back Mason contiuned to eat , anyway this went on for another 2 times ... gave him his bowl back and he did it agin he was given a light smack & his food back , my huband then patted him again and spoke to him telling himhe was a good boy & he did not growl again . I gather from the advice given this is not the right approach ??? Well we are open to opinions and learning as we just want the best for him & for him to be a good dog . Maybe i did not make the right choice in getting him , i am not sure & if i think my kids are at risk he will have to go ( sadly ) as i cant put my kids at risk . I dont understand why people think that it's not ok for a family like mine to have a dog such as a Rottie when we are willing to make sure he is the best dog he can be .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttaburra Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 (edited) Hi Michelle. Just to clarify one point about the bite that injured your daughter. Was the dog just trying to get a better grip on the plastic, or did it growl/snarl then lunge and bite your daughters hand. This is important to work out the level of agression that occurred. The solutions are much the same in either case but you need to know what level of agression you are dealing with. Smacking is not a good way to start with a pup, especially around food. Edited September 16, 2006 by Abergavenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle1970 Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Hello , yep he did growl , but sometimes he does that whilst playing !! so i gather my daughter just did not pick up on it .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livi Posted September 16, 2006 Author Share Posted September 16, 2006 Hi Michelle Good to see you here, you will get good advice for Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle1970 Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Hello Sunny !!! I think everyone has gone to bed !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livi Posted September 16, 2006 Author Share Posted September 16, 2006 Yes I'm off to be myself I wouldn't take growling as playing myself, but as I say you will get good advice here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle1970 Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Well its like a growl when he is playing on the end of his rag ball , that i hold on to the end of and play with him ... I dont think that R was taking any notice when she pulled the plastic form him , i think it juts happend all to fast ... she did not expect it to happen ... His growl to me was way diffrent to the growl he uses when playing when i was feeding him .. I think R just did not pick that up , she is not use to him growling ... Yep i am off to bed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Australdi Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Michelle...form your post, I am sure you can get through this phase...dogs do go through phases...and during those they will challenge what they perviously accepted...sounds like you are doing pretty much the right thing (although, I also advise against smaking), just be consistant, explain to your kids that the dog (going thru a phase) may react differently to their actions, so to be alert to the different signals (this will make them very good animal handlers whenthey get older ) but honestly...this is very likely to be a phase your dog is going thru as he developes into his teens....& it's really crucial that you lead him into good behaviour rather than bad. from what you have said...you seem to be on the right track & only a few tweaks are required ;) there has been alot of advice on this thread..and I would advise employing a variety of stategies and seeing which works best for your dog & your family situation....don't be disheartened..all dogs goe thru this phase of "challenge" at a certain time; what is crucial is that you stick to the regimes that you have expected fro the dog in the past....and quicly correct him when he deviates from this....& I offer this in my own experience only....It doesn't sound like you have a dangerous dog onyour hands..only a teenage dog that is testing his limits and pack status I only offer this in hunble respect for both your family & your dog Aus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Australdi Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 BTW...I can't wait till the new thread starts up!..I'm happy to be qouted..all I ask is that I am quoted in full context cheers Aus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now