We are struggling with what to do about our 9 year old chocolate lab. His name is Andy. Before Christmas, our 2 year old DD was laying on his back and even after he growled at her, she didn't get up, so he snapped at her face. He left a long scratch on her cheek with his tooth, that bruised pretty badly. The next day, my 5 year old DS did the same thing!! Of course, Andy did the same thing to him, but this time he actually punctured my DS's cheek. We had a long talk with the kids, explaining how they were hurting Andy and even though he shouldn't have bitten them, he was only defending himself. My DS understood and is now being more careful when he's playing with Andy, but our DD (she's now 3) just doesn't understand. Then, last week, our DD slid down off our bed and landed on Andy (he was on the floor next to the bed) and he jumped right up and snapped at her face again. Again, he left a big scratch that turned to a bruise. This time though, it was very close to her eye.

My Mom and Dad want us to have Andy put to sleep, cuz they are worried that next time will just be more severe. My first concern is for my kids safety (we also have an 8 year old DD, and she has no problems with Andy, they play all the time), and I'm scared to death that something much worse could happen. But, Andy has been in our family for 9 years and we love him as one of our kids. I just don't feel it's fair for him to lose his life, because he was defending himself.

What do all of you think???

Heather

Originally Posted by dhborton

We are struggling with what to do about our 9 year old chocolate lab. His name is Andy. Before Christmas, our 2 year old DD was laying on his back and even after he growled at her, she didn't get up, so he snapped at her face. He left a long scratch on her cheek with his tooth, that bruised pretty badly. The next day, my 5 year old DS did the same thing!! Of course, Andy did the same thing to him, but this time he actually punctured my DS's cheek. We had a long talk with the kids, explaining how they were hurting Andy and even though he shouldn't have bitten them, he was only defending himself. My DS understood and is now being more careful when he's playing with Andy, but our DD (she's now 3) just doesn't understand. Then, last week, our DD slid down off our bed and landed on Andy (he was on the floor next to the bed) and he jumped right up and snapped at her face again. Again, he left a big scratch that turned to a bruise. This time though, it was very close to her eye.

My Mom and Dad want us to have Andy put to sleep, cuz they are worried that next time will just be more severe. My first concern is for my kids safety (we also have an 8 year old DD, and she has no problems with Andy, they play all the time), and I'm scared to death that something much worse could happen. But, Andy has been in our family for 9 years and we love him as one of our kids. I just don't feel it's fair for him to lose his life, because he was defending himself.

What do all of you think???

Heather

unfortunately this is a tough call! I have been in a similar situation. I had a shepard, that had done the same thing to my sons face, only he left 3 bite holes on his face from his teeth. now my son has prmanent scars. anyways, we took the dog to the vets, had him checked,all was good, Vet said he could have been in pain, and it was a natural response, a few weeks later, my nephews spent the night, all the kids were sleeping on the flor, in sleeping bags, the same dog, out of no where grabbed my nephew by the arm, while he was sleeping,and began to shake, and thrash! we were able to get the dog off, but this time there was a huge hospital bill involved! this attack was unwarranted, and down right mean! we opted to put the dog down, for everyones safety.
But before you go this route, you should have the dog checked by a vet, to make sure he isnt having any pain related issues. the other thing you could do is try to find a loving home with no small children.

Good luck to you! I wish you the best, no matter what you choose!

This is my biggest fear, if we decide to let it go thinking he was just defending himself, then have something like that happen later. We did decide that we needed to get him to the vet and make sure it isn't anything medical. I had thought about looking for a new family for him, but I'm worried about how he'll adjust (because of his age) and what if he does it to someone in the new home too?? That would devastate me!!

Thanks for your insight, it's helping to hear what others think.

Heather

Originally Posted by dhborton

This is my biggest fear, if we decide to let it go thinking he was just defending himself, then have something like that happen later. We did decide that we needed to get him to the vet and make sure it isn't anything medical. I had thought about looking for a new family for him, but I'm worried about how he'll adjust (because of his age) and what if he does it to someone in the new home too?? That would devastate me!!

Thanks for your insight, it's helping to hear what others think.

Heather

I am not trying to be mean, but it sounds like the dog has a problem with the children, because they are allowed to crawl all over him. i understand you are trying to fix the problem, but with such tiny children it is very hard to do. If you can seperate the dog from the children. say put a child gate up, so the children cant get to the dog. but the dog can still see everyone, and be a part of the family.
Or find a home that had no small children. If the dog is only attacking the children when they climb on him, he should be fine in a home withoout kids. He is nine, but he can still adjust to a new family quite well. It happens all the time. You have to do what is best for the kids as well as the dog. You have to look at it from all angles. think how relieved the dog will be when he dosent have to worry about when the next kid will come and jump on him!
In your case, i would not reccommend putting the dog down. he dosent seem naturally aggressive, he is just trying to let the kids know that he huurts when they do these things the best he knows how!
He warns them with a growl and if that dosent work he has to take the next step.
You as his owner, need to make sure he dosent get placed in thses situations!

The dog we had was different he was a shelter dog, unknowhn history, the first attack we blamed on our son,later to find out was nit his fault. but the second, there was no denying the dog had serious issues to attack for no cause! especially someone sleeping.

good luck!