[puppylove2009]

First of all just know I already let my father know that his actions will not be tolerated in my home.

Sorry so long but I feel I need to paint a picture of the situation

First of all I just want to say I in no way at all blame my terrier for her behavior. Its really my dads fault. and she has never acted agressively toward anyone

My husband and I are expecting our first child this winter. My parents aren't dog people but there is a bit of an issue we are worried about when the baby comes.


The first time she ever met him (my father) she was about 13 weeks old and we took her over to my parents house, and she was being overly playful as puppies are and he kicked her out of the way, not hard but not something I approved of.

she has been weary of him since, but until we moved back to the area we never saw them.

My dog is now a year and a half of age.

The other day him and my mom were over and my father was helping my husband fix up some things. And my Terrier came in, made her rounds to greet everyone, started sniffing his leg. She didn't jump up on him or anything she was just waiting to be greeted.

He kicked her and hard.

I let him know I really didn't approve of that, that isn't how we treat dogs in my home.

From that point on the rest of the visit, my Terrier watched him like a hawk, and she would growl if he got too close to me. Like a warning don't come near her.

I think she thought he was going to hurt me.

Well he came by again a few days later to finish and I had my Terrier gated in the other room and she started barking at him,

I know she won't bite him because even though she started barking at him like crazy and he was stupid enough to try to pet her, she just licked him when he pet her.


The problem is I'm pregnant and we are going to be seeing more of my parents I feel and she is already so protective of me against him. She overly protective of me around everyone now.

I don't know how she will react if he tries to hold the baby or go near the baby.

that concerns me. Last thing I need is my parents thinking I have an agressive dog.

Which I don't.


Again I don't blame her for her actions toward him, he shouldn't have kicked her.

My dogs are handled gently with love and care and kindness. And they are good dogs.

They (My parents) don't understand positive reinforcement training. They see a dog as property and not part of the family.


Anyways how do you suggest we handle this new found dislike she has toward my dad?

(My dad isn't too found of dogs as it is)

Thanks


I don't see this dog as a threat to my baby, just a slight threat to my father.

Again i don't need my parents thinking I have an agressive dog in the house with a newborn.

We don't lock her or our poodle up, especially now that we are trying to get them used to having visitors.


I will say she saw him again the other day and didn't react, but still there is a nagging concern that he might try that again and she might not react so tolerably

You know.

[puppylove2009]

I just wanted to add: He already admitted he is scared of her and doesn't like dogs. So I am a little concerned he will try to kick her again. At the same time my mom figured out real quick if you just acknowledge her she leaves you alone.


She is the sweetest dog in the world. She would lick you to death if you let her.

It just bothers me and I told him that behavior wouldn't be tolerated and to just be prepared when he comes over that both dogs will be there to greet him

[Lara's mom]

The way I see it, you don't have an aggressive dog. You do however have an aggressive father who apparently sees nothing wrong with kicking a dog. That is a problem. You need to lay down some VERY firm rules as to what is and what is not acceptable behaviour in your home. Frankly, I think the guy has an incredible amount of gall to come into YOUR home and kick YOUR dog. Your dog lives there. He does not. If anyone came into my home and kicked one of my girls, regardless of who they were, they'd be out the door on their ass so fast, they wouldn't know what hit them and, they'd NEVER enter my home again. Frankly, it would serve him right if she did bloody well bite him. He would richly deserve it!

These are your dogs. They depend on you to protect them from people who are cruel to animals. I would make it clear to your father in no uncertain terms that if he ever touches either one of your dogs again, he will no longer be welcome in your home.

[puppylove2009]

I did also want to add he is my stepfather, not my father. (My father loves animals, thats where my love for animals comes from because I don't know a bigger animal lover than him)

Anyways though my mom the only time i see her is if my stepdad is around and I hate that. I would hate because i throw him out, that I wouldn't see my mother anymore, but I hate taking the risk of my dog getting not treated right.

The last 2 times he was here he didn't try anything, he even appologized to her and tried to make up but at the same time I know old habits die hard.

But they have a grandchild on the way and I will not have my son or daughter around that kind of attitude. These are my childs dogs too and as much work as I put into these dogs to prepare them for this day when there is a baby, i can't have someone who rarely comes around mess up my dogs.

He even has a dog and doesn't treat that dog like he did her, ofcourse she is 4 pounds and if you kicked her you would probably kill her but anyways thats beside the point.

I don't go around kicking his dog he shouldn't be kicking mine

And I don't blame my dad either because he doesn't understand. He was raised in a home where a dog was not a companion or member of the family, the dog was a peice of property and the dog had a job to do. Sadly if the dog didn't do his job it was beaten and went back in the pen, and eventually sold. It was a different time, but his father taught him wrong by doing that. His father still has dogs (Hunting dogs) but he treats them way better now than he used to. Still though it was a different time.

My StepD has always been good and gentle with little fluffy dogs but he is totally different with a dog dog, something with a little muscle. He is very kind to my poodle.

I don't get it though

[Lara's mom]

I think I do. You mentioned that the only time you get to see your mother is if your step-father is around. That leads me to believe that he's a very controlling person. Have you ever asked your mom why she isn't able to visit without him in constant attendance? Something tells me there may be more to this than a jerk who kicks dogs.

[puppylove2009]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I think I do. You mentioned that the only time you get to see your mother is if your step-father is around. That leads me to believe that he's a very controlling person. Have you ever asked your mom why she isn't able to visit without him in constant attendance? Something tells me there may be more to this than a jerk who kicks dogs.

oh no its nothing like that. I lived in their home my whole life. They are both just busy people and my mom never makes time to visit unless she is with him when he stops. I have a better relationship with him than my mom. If it weren't for him my mom would never make time to come over. Thats what I meant by that. She never stops on her own. She is kind of a workaholic. He's a good man, to people. He just doesn't know how to treat any kind of dog other than a poodle. He is a good christian man and he is the father who raised me. What I was saying was my mom never comes over unless he reminds her to or she is with him when he stops, she is so caught up in work and always has been. Thats why I'd hate to burn that bridge because I atleast get to see her sometimes if they are coming over.

I honestly see him more than her


Its the same reason she missed my recitals and plays and ball games, because shes a workaholic, but he was there for every thing

[Lara's mom]

O.k. However, be that as it may, you cannot allow him to come into your home and abuse your dogs. It isn't fair to them and, when your child arrives you certainly don't want him/her seeing animals treated that way. The only think I can suggest is that you tell your step-father that abusing your dogs will not be tolerated in your home. If he is indeed otherwise a decent person, he'll accept the rules of your home. If he doesn't, you're probably better off visiting him at your parents residence. At least that way, your dogs will be safe.

[Lunareclipse]

I would be pissed. My brother-in-law came oner and was barking at my dog one day. My dog is aggressive against anything that barks at her. She didn't like it. I told him if he ever did that again I was going to kick him in the balls. I don't like someone teasing my dog. If your step father is coming over from now on, I would put you dog in another room until he leaves. I would not let that guy in my house until my dog was put up.

[lil mutt]

you should talk to your dad and explain to him that he shouldnt do it to your pets... then whenever your parents visits leave your pet in the garage or an empty room while they are around.

[Lara's mom]

Maybe I'm nuts but, I have a family member who is terrified of dogs. I make sure I get a babysitter for the girls and I visit her in her home. I flat out refuse to lock my girls away in their OWN HOME just so she can come to my home. My girls live here. She doesn't.

[Lunareclipse]

lol. That's what I tell people about Sammie when company comes over and wants Sammie to move off the couch so they can sit down. I tell them that it's Sammie's couch. If they ask really nice, she'll make room. But since she has hip dysplasia, laying on the couch probably feels better than laying on the floor and I won't make her move for someone that doesn't live here.

[Lara's mom]

I don't blame you in the least. If she was mine, I'd feel exactly the same way!

[chickprincess]

I think your dog's very sweet. Maybe your dad had a trauma about dogs that's why he's like that whenever he sees one. I'm about to buy a pomeranian puppy which cost MUCH than my allowance and my mom and dad doesn't want me to. Actually it's my mom who doesn't like dogs INSIDE the house because of the smell. She doesn't like the house to smell like dogs. What can a pomeranian puppy do to make the house with 3 floors smell THAT bad. Right?

[Lara's mom]

I have a friend with a pom. His dog doesn't smell one little bit!