Help! Aggressive dog and newborn

I was looking for help, not judgement. I would appreciate sarcastic and rude comments to be left off please. This is not an easy situation for me. I love this dog. His name is Boomer. I raised him, and of course I feel 100% responsible for him. I love him almost as much as a child and I feel that he is "worth" trying just as much as any gentle dog. I recognize that there is something I did wrong to cause this behavior. I accept that. I would be fine with dealing with these issues and working with him until I became pregnant. My daughter has to be my first priority, and I am seeing to that. No, I will not "just shoot him" or put him down. I will find a better outcome for him and for my child.

Settle down already and lighten up.

As an adult you should ALREADY know the serious and obvious answer:

Do not allow the dog around your kids. Which probably means finding it another home.

There can be many causes for this type of behaviour and either way even if he has a severe medical condition that is treatable the long and short of it is this, you can't have eyes in the back of your head and the animal can't be trusted how far are you prepared to go and what would you do if he mauled a child,too many people think this is an easy decision but the law is the law and a dangerous dog needs to be sorted before it has to be destroyed and you may even lose your other pets. I think you already know what you need to do but the choice has to be yours alone.

Why do people immediately say that aggressive dogs need to be put down? Um, no! Dogs don't just get aggressive because they want to, dogs get aggressive because they come to realize they can dominate (Be alpha) over everything because owners don't know what they're doing. Instead of having this dog put down find it a home where the owner can reverse this dog's issues (and yes, it can be done). This dog doesn't see you as his pack leader and that is no good, your dog has no respect for you. I have seen countless aggressive/fearful/reactive dogs have their behavior turned around through a trainer that knows what they're doing. Also, many people mislable "aggressive" dogs when in fact the dog is just fearful, which in turn can become aggressiveness down the line, but your dog definitely sounds like he's reached the aggressive point. My best non-professional advice would be to re-home this dog with someone who for sure knows how to handle dogs with this kind of behavior. If you are wanting to keep this dog though and try and change his attitude I recommend going to Leerburg.com He has excellent advice on training dogs both behaviorally and in obedience.

What would he have to do before you put him down? As you cannot control him yourselves, what makes you think someone else can? And what if the people who take him go on holidays and leave him with someone else who has kids nearby/in the house and he bites and kills someone?

Are you saying that NO DOG should EVER be put down?

good luck poster. It is never easy as dogs become so much part of the family but you will choose what is right for your baby no matter what the heart ache I am sure

I've read some of the posts but not all, so I don't know if this has been suggested before, but you might call Best Friends Animal Society in Utah for advice. They are the huge non-kill shelter that has really advanced the no-kill movement, and they specialize in unadoptable animals (for example, they rehabilitated Michael Vick's dogs, and they provide a forever home for animals that are truly unadoptable). They may be able to offer advice on a no-kill shelter in your area that could handle this kind of dog, or maybe even take him in if there is no other option. At any rate, they have a ton of expertise, so worth checking. I know a local non-kill shelter near me that kept a ferocious German Shepherd that hated women for years until the right male owner came along, and another small mixed breed with a biting problem for years until the right person came along for her, so there are definitely places that can handle thse dogs, it's just a matter of finding the right one (that has room, usually the biggest obstacle).

Good luck - I know this must be hard for you, and I am impressed by the lengths that you are willing to go to try to save this dog (though as others have said, keeping him with a baby just isn't an option). Don't give up!

For the record, I don't want to see this dog, or any other dog, dead. But realistically, I'd rather see a violently aggressive dog euthanized than see it attack the shepherd and pit again, bite the owners again, or even worse, attack a child.

I have a special needs rescue dog (one-eyed Pekingese with mild aggression during grooming and slight resource guarding). He's great with the cats and since we won't have kids, that's not an issue. If we ever did have any kind of problem with him that we couldn't handle, it was in our adoption contract that the rescue would take him back. (For anyone out there considering adding a pet, please look only adopt from rescues or purchase from breeders that have that kind of clause.) Six of my seven cats were feral or semi-feral strays, with the seventh being a former foster from the shelter. Pretty much all of my pets have been "project" pets that needed some kind of special care or taming or training. I like the fixer-upper!

But I don't believe that "all dogs are good dogs" and I don't believe in the Dog Whisperer any more than I believe in Dr. Oz. Sometimes there's something mentally or emotionally wrong that can't be fixed with training. It's sad and it's heartbreaking. I bawled my eyes out when I had to see an aggressive dog euthanized after attacking his owner's husband, because the dog was sometimes very sweet, but unpredictable with men. I was holding/hugging his head, stroking him and telling him what a good boy he was, while he got the injection. And it was made even more heartbreaking that the dog had to be decapitated to test him for rabies, since you legally can't euthanize an animal without testing unless you can keep him quarantined for 10 days after a bite that breaks skin.

You aren't out of options. Unfortunately, this dog sounds like one that needs to be put down.

I find it astounding that some of you weigh this dog's life so much given the OPs facts:

OP implied she is a certified trainer, yet still failed to stop the behavior
She said the dog has bit her multiple times (once in the face!)
Bit the BF twice now?
Attacked the other two dogs
Tried attacking a young 3 year old girl next door!?
3 other trainers have failed with this dog

What else is there to consider? You might get lucky and find someone willing to deal with this problem dog, but it should be OUT of your house immediately. You will risk the life of your child and already its a huge liability for others in the neighborhood.

When I was about 7 years old one of the neighbors dogs got out, ran up the street, and bit me in the face requiring a hospital trip and stitches on the corner of my mouth and cheek. To this day, I grow my goatee to cover it up. This dog was a known problem, but a few seconds of lapsed judgement keeping a gate open caused my injuries and scarred me for life. I wish those people had the guts to do the right thing and get rid of it.

No she said she has trained several dogs.. not that she is a trainer.. she took the dog to one trainer. NOT the same thing

I have trained dogs for my most of my life, and this is incredibly hard to handle. We took him to one trainer that suggested we put him down because he was unmanageable, and our vet prescribed him depression pills that ended up making him worse.

No she said she has trained several dogs.. not that she is a trainer.. she took the dog to one trainer. NOT the same thing. Apparently she did not find the RIGHT trainer for her needs and breed.. which is why I posted the link to the Basset Hound Rescue.., THEY will be able to help her surrender the dog. They will train it properly AND find it a proper home with someone who can take the time needed to work with him.

It is so hard to let go of a pet and I am sure this is an extremely stressful situation while being pregnant. I know that there are rescue groups for specific breeds. Perhaps they might be able to recommend a course of action?

Please do not put the dog down.. it's not his fault. I don't know where you are located but use this link to obtain the information you need. You can also contact them to find the nearest Basset Hound Rescue to you. I don't mean to sound critical, but you could have prevented any aggression if you had taken the time to do proper training with the dog. You should have taken action at the very first signs of aggression, if that is in fact, what it is. There are many reasons dogs appear aggressive but are not. And yes, I have trained many dogs in my lifetime and guess what.. the dogs behavior is ALWAYS the owners fault. Take the time to learn about the breed, it's needs and training required before making a purchase.

http://www.bassethoundrescue.com/maindefault.htm

"Snapping is a control response. In most cases, you have to look at root cause. Ok - the dog snapped. Was it because I was playing to aggressively? Was I moving the food bowl during feeding? Many times, it is our fault, but we still want to blame the dog because we as humans do not like to be in the wrong. Bottom line is growling, snapping, and biting can all be corrected. The question is are you willing to take the amount of time needed for the correction. Make a good choice. "

Perhaps you missed the fact the OP said she was a certified trainer?

As well as:
OP implied she is a certified trainer, yet still failed to stop the behavior
She said the dog has bit her multiple times (once in the face!)
Bit the BF twice now
Attacked the other two dogs
Tried attacking a young 3 year old girl next door!
3 other trainers have failed with this dog
Medication made it worse

At what point do you weigh the safety of others over this dog? Seriously...

Trust me, if your dog attacked my child, I'd sue the pants off you and use this thread as evidence.

You cannot realise how horrible it is for a child to be attacked by a dog. I had nightmares for years and still am scared of dogs. The owner did what you are doing and made excuses for the dog (It didn't maul, it just bit, but you provoked it --I was riding a bike at the time, the dog chased me...I did nothing to provoke it)... I will never forgive the selfishness of that owner.

It's as bad as parents who have weapons in the reach of their already disturbed children to me. I can and will only ever blame the owners and not the dogs but the dogs will have to pick up the tab for the owners selfish and unreasonable behaviour.

You need to have this dog put down!! Sorry, but my son was bitten in the face 8 times and has mulitple scars. I'm sure you want to protect yourself, family, and everybody around you! I think you know what needs to be done and it cant be an easy choice.

Sorry your having to make this choice!

Please do not put the dog down.. it's not his fault. I don't know where you are located but use this link to obtain the information you need. You can also contact them to find the nearest Basset Hound Rescue to you. I don't mean to sound critical, but you could have prevented any aggression if you had taken the time to do proper training with the dog. You should have taken action at the very first signs of aggression, if that is in fact, what it is. There are many reasons dogs appear aggressive but are not. And yes, I have trained many dogs in my lifetime and guess what.. the dogs behavior is ALWAYS the owners fault. Take the time to learn about the breed, it's needs and training required before making a purchase.

http://www.bassethoundrescue.com/maindefault.htm

"Snapping is a control response. In most cases, you have to look at root cause. Ok - the dog snapped. Was it because I was playing to aggressively? Was I moving the food bowl during feeding? Many times, it is our fault, but we still want to blame the dog because we as humans do not like to be in the wrong. Bottom line is growling, snapping, and biting can all be corrected. The question is are you willing to take the amount of time needed for the correction. Make a good choice. "

Perhaps you missed the fact the OP said she was a certified trainer?

As well as:
OP implied she is a certified trainer, yet still failed to stop the behavior
She said the dog has bit her multiple times (once in the face!)
Bit the BF twice now
Attacked the other two dogs
Tried attacking a young 3 year old girl next door!
3 other trainers have failed with this dog
Medication made it worse

At what point do you weigh the safety of others over this dog? Seriously...

Trust me, if your dog attacked my child, I'd sue the pants off you and use this thread as evidence.

You cannot realise how horrible it is for a child to be attacked by a dog. I had nightmares for years and still am scared of dogs. The owner did what you are doing and made excuses for the dog (It didn't maul, it just bit, but you provoked it --I was riding a bike at the time, the dog chased me...I did nothing to provoke it)... I will never forgive the selfishness of that owner.

It's as bad as parents who have weapons in the reach of their already disturbed children to me. I can and will only ever blame the owners and not the dogs but the dogs will have to pick up the tab for the owners selfish and unreasonable behaviour.

By your own words you are stating that it is the owners fault. I am not condoning an animal attacking other dogs or people.. Only that the OWNERS have a responsibility to TRAIN the dogs!

"The owner did what you are doing and made excuses for the dog (It didn't maul, it just bit, but you provoked it --I was riding a bike at the time, the dog chased me...I did nothing to provoke it)..."4

YOU were not the OWNER.. You did nothing to provoke it.. The OWNER should have never let the dog be loose if it chased people or cars or anything... THAT is what I am saying.. it is not the dogs fault that the OWNER was IRRESPONSIBLE.

How is this even a question?