Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Of course I would train my dog before getting rid of it... I wouldn't put my child in danger by having them in the same room if I felt there might be a problem... but no way would I just get rid of my pet right away without even trying..

My dog was work when we got him... I knew the responsibility I was taking on... and if I need to work with him when we have a baby.. I would do the same.. Training, Love and attention is what I would give my dog... and I am sure he would work through the issues.

I am sorry but I think people give up too quickly on animals and don't care about the responsibility they took on in the first place when getting a pet. If you had a 2nd child that was jealous of your new baby, and was poking, pulling and acting out.. would you get rid of it... no you wouldn't, you would work through the issues.. I know some people don't feel pets are that important or don't want to invest that much time in them or make it an issues of my child is much more important than a dog.. but then don't get a pet in the first place... if you aren't willing to take on all the responsibility.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Well I have my dog for 3 yrs now and she was extremely easy to train, great temperment, hasnt barked once, and is so lovable. She was my baby, and we let her sleep with us every night etc. When i got pregnant people told me that my dog would be placed 2nd and the baby would become EVERYTHING. I denied those claims.. no.. wont happen. Well guess what? It did. Not that I in any way neglect my dog but she is no longer number one. She almost made me fall a few times while holding my son as a newborn because she got under my feet constantly. She in no way means any harm, but she went from being my world, to becoming "just a dog" My son is my world now. And frankly, there is no comparison. She is so good with my son, she approaches him while he is on the floor playing with toys and he will reach out and grab her hair and rip at it and pull it, and I immediately release his death grip on her but she just sits there and whimpers. BUT, if she EVER, EVER, EVER, went for him, or actually bit him, she would be gone. For me, there would be no question about it. AS good as she is, and gentle she has been these past 3 yrs and as much as i love her, she is still an animal.

And as much as you can do your homework on a breed, and finally feel you are picking one that is known to be gentle, good with kids, etc.. dogs can snap. It happens. Being responsible for a dog and what goes along with owning one I agree with. But putting up with a dog that has bitten/attacked/ or become aggressive with your child in no way relates to responsibility. Children should not be compared to dogs or any animal for that matter. JMO

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Sorry for so many posts but I wanted to share a story. A very good friend of mine and HUGE animal lover has a dog that he raised from a puppy. When he got the dog he knew he and his wife wanted to have a bunch of kids and did all the research and found the perfect dog for them. He now has 3 kids between the ages of 2 & 6. This dog is only 7 years old and has been around since the day they were all brought home from the hospital. They have a million pictures of their kids and this dog - they were all best friends. Never a problem.
Two months ago on a hot day, my friend bent down to pet the dog and give him fresh cold water. The dog lost it and bit into his hand causing him to have to go to the ER and get a tun of stitches. He thanked god it wasn't one of his children and he says it was the hardest thing he has ever done but he had the dog put to sleep the very next day. He decided not to put it up for adoption and one day here about the dog ripping into a small child's face.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

I will say this- My DH had his cat before I met him. Needless to say I am the step mom. I have grown to love this cat, even though I am allergic to her. My allergies have gotten better with her over the 8 years but whatever I digress. DH said if that cat (has claws) ever swipes the baby that's it she is gone. Well, Xena took a swipe at my DD one day. She cut her too. I was standing right there when it happened and it was just too quick. Yes it can happen that quick. My neighbor her cat scratch her daughters face and just missed the baby's eye Now my cat has take 3 swipes at my baby. 2 were my daughter pulling the cats tail (can't blame the cat) and 1 was unprevocted- the first one. Anyways, I waited a while to tell my DH (actually waited until he noticed the scratch). He was seething. If he had it his way the cat would be gone. I couldn't do that but if she ever did it again to the basement she would go, when my daughter is around. I love Xena and when they told me 4 years ago that she would die in weeks, they were wrong I remember laying on my bed with her praying that she didn't die. I love this cat! But I love my daughter more.

Now I can also say this because when I was 7 I was playing in the yard and slid in the mud and slid right into my dog. I didn't mean to it was an accident and needless to say the dog took a nice bite out of my face. It required stiches to put everything right but it could have been a lot worse.

It only takes a moment. Just one!

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

it just seems to me too many people are just ready to get rid of the dog rather than put some effort into it.


sad thread

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

We trained our 75lb American Bulldog before our baby arrived. I am talking annoying the hell out of her when she eats, pulling her ears, jumping on kids the whole 9. The training started as soon as we got her but more so when I got that positive preg test. Dogs are incredible creatures when trained properly......I do believe however that there are poorly bred dogs as far as tempermant goes and are not the right dogs for children. I feel terrible for the dogs being placed in new homes Its a crappy situation but once you become a parent your childs safety is the most important thing.

Message edited 6/30/2006 5:55:36 AM.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Posted by CheeChee

Posted by MABLE03

Posted by mskimmy98

I am sorry but I think people give up too quickly on animals and don't care about the responsibility they took on in the first place when getting a pet. If you had a 2nd child that was jealous of your new baby, and was poking, pulling and acting out.. would you get rid of it... no you wouldn't, you would work through the issues.. I know some people don't feel pets are that important or don't want to invest that much time in them or make it an issues of my child is much more important than a dog.. but then don't get a pet in the first place... if you aren't willing to take on all the responsibility.

I'm sorry but you can not compare a first child being jealous of a 2nd child to a DOG!! I highly doubt that a first child in 10 seconds with their teeth could kill or injure or scar my child for life.

well said...

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

I find it awful how judgemental people are being toward that poster. She didn't come on here saying "Oh, I'm gonna dump my dog, because I just don't want him anymore." She was looking for a good home- with references. I think it shows love to that animal that she is making the effort to find a proper home rather than dumping him at a shelter.

I am a lover of all animals. I've adopted, rescued, and fostered all types of animals since I was a teen-ager and worked as a kennel worker at a local vet. My husband thinks I'm crazy with all the animals I've brought home to nurse back to health (my latest project was a litter of newborn kittens), but he's supportive. Down here in MD, there was a case recently where a pet hoarder was discovered and over 100 animals were confiscated and sent to our local Humane Society. I volunteer there as a dog walker and go to just love up on those poor babies.

All that said, if any of my pets showed aggression towards my child, they'd be gone. Sorry- regardless of training, an animal can still act out, even if it's just for a second. And a second is all it takes for a baby to be maimed. I'd never be able to live with myself if I thought my dog may be aggressive, played a "wait and see", and then had that dog bite my child.

I'll always remember my grandparent's dog, King. He was raised around all the grandkids (10 in all). We would ride around on his back!, that's how gentle he was (and huge- German Shepard). Well, one day he bit the youngest baby. After 8 years of being around young children and babies, he bit one of my cousins, on the face, in front of all the adults. Regardless of why he did it (to this day, my mom swears all my cousin did was roll next to King), he still did it. It was very quick, and he knew it was wrong because as soon as he did it he cried and ran. Maybe it was a dominance issue, who knows. But it caused a great deal of stress within the family, as King was a large part of our lives.

We don't know that poster's story. Maybe they tried training; maybe they underestimated the work having a pet and child are; maybe their situation won't allow for the time necessary/ or money needed for intensive training. Perhaps rather than judge, people could help that poster find a loving home.

Also, would you want an animal to live in a home they are not truly wanted?

Amy

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Posted by Lolita4Life

it just seems to me too many people are just ready to get rid of the dog rather than put some effort into it.


sad thread

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Posted by Lolita4Life

it just seems to me too many people are just ready to get rid of the dog rather than put some effort into it.


sad thread

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Posted by Redhead

Posted by CheeChee

Posted by MABLE03

Posted by mskimmy98

I am sorry but I think people give up too quickly on animals and don't care about the responsibility they took on in the first place when getting a pet. If you had a 2nd child that was jealous of your new baby, and was poking, pulling and acting out.. would you get rid of it... no you wouldn't, you would work through the issues.. I know some people don't feel pets are that important or don't want to invest that much time in them or make it an issues of my child is much more important than a dog.. but then don't get a pet in the first place... if you aren't willing to take on all the responsibility.

I'm sorry but you can not compare a first child being jealous of a 2nd child to a DOG!! I highly doubt that a first child in 10 seconds with their teeth could kill or injure or scar my child for life.

well said...

true...the oldest child probably won't bite a baby

but they certainly can take out daddy's gun and shoot it...

Or they can take the baby and pounce on it like the wrestlers it watches on tv...

accidents happen with pets and children

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Also, would you want an animal to live in a home they are not truly wanted?

Amy



This is my sentiment exactly. I am sure we all have a dog story or two. I also think people take for granted that they have a big loving mush of a dog...I DO! However, he is an animal (man it kills me to call my furbaby and animal) and may not be 100% perfect in every situation. That does not mean it is not a good dog. I DEFINETELY think the circumstances around the situation need to be taken into consideration.

For example: I had a Lab mix named Bonnie growing up. I have 6 brothers, so you can imagine this dog dealt with a lot. She did so beautifully! one day she was in a dead sleep in the sun. A neighbor child came over and jumped right on top of her, the dog completely startled, did bite her. One quick fear bite. THANKFULLY, it was a minor injury. Yes, it was extremely scarey, but my parents did not get rid of the dog, they felt it was an unusual circumstance, and this dog lived to be a ripe old age without another incident. Yes, I do think my parents were a little nervous, they sat us down, and had a talk about respecting the dog, and how to approach a dog.

I guess what I am trying to say is every incident is different, you cannot generalize the situation. Every owner is different. If you don't want to put the time into training your dog, AND your kids, then by all means rehome him. AN unwanted dog in the house is definetely a recipie for disatser.

None of us can tell anyone else what to do. We can have an opinion, but each individual family has to do what is best for them. In the end, as long as the family is willing to make sure the dog is in a good home (this is my biggest hope), it is probobly best for the dog too.

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Posted by Gertyrae

Posted by Lolita4Life

it just seems to me too many people are just ready to get rid of the dog rather than put some effort into it.


sad thread

I have to agree that this is a very sad thread. I also think that the poll is more of a worst case scenario thing. We have all heard horror stories about what can happen, but I think that most times everything is okay.
I sincerely believe that most of the people on here are responsible dog owners and have taken the time to train their dogs. I am also sure that if any where to get PG they would spend the time to acclimate the dog to the idea and to babies. Most dogs are fine when a baby comes into the house. My BF had a 12 year old Rottie when she gave birth to her first and that dog put up with everything and anything her daughter gave. Dogs are generally loving creatures, so I am sure most of us won't even have a problem if and when the time comes.
The poll is a "What if" poll and I really think that the majority of us aren't going to have to worry about it and will end up with happy dogs and babies.


And that's enough sunshine from me today

Re: Anonymous poll for pet owners.

Message edited 6/30/2006 5:22:48 PM.