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My husband adopted a doberman mix from the humane society at about 3 months old, for our daughters. She is a sweet loving girl. She loves my daughters (3y & 4y). However she is about 9 months now and has grown considerably. She has knocked my daughter down several times and has nipped her on the back of the leg while playing. My husband has told me to find her a new home for he fears she my harm the girls worse. I am not sure how to do that. I dont want to find her a new home for the girls and I have become attached to her. Any ideas on what would be the best way to find her a loving home, I really dont have the heart to take her to the humane society. I have been keeping her seperated from the girls, and supervise them while together. However, my husband is getting impatient and if I dont find a home soon he will take her to the society.

2006-06-22 08:37:15 · 14 answers · asked by KLynn 2 in Pets Dogs

14 answers

i would suggest obedience school, they would teach her proper behavior especially with children.

2006-06-22 09:53:21 · answer #1 · answered by belle♥ 5 · 0 0

We have a 4 year old son and a 1 year old Great Dane/Black Lab X. The Dane/Lab weighs about 115 Lbs and our son weighs about 40 Lbs. The two play together constantly as best pals but sometimes the size difference is a problem.
Our pup has knocked our son down numerous times and has always been scolded for it, concequently the dog is learning to be more careful.
The pup has also "scraped" my sons skin by mistake a few times as well with both his large toenails or his big white teeth, but understanding that it was a mistake and not meant by the dog as aggression.
I have had many dogs over many years and have never, ever allowed any of them to play with their teeth on a human, especially a child. They will learn...
It is hard to put small children and boisterous puppies together but it can be done. Supervision and a good strong voice (toward the pup) to prevent the accident before it occures.
I would really hate to think that you have to give up on you dog for something that can be "taught" out of her.
Good luck!

2006-06-22 15:49:18 · answer #2 · answered by twistedkitty15 2 · 0 0

Your first concern has to be for the safety of your kids. Any big dog can knock down a child without intending to. I'd be a lot more concerned about the nipping. Put an ad in the paper and make sure she gets a good home. Or take her to a no-kill shelter like Bide-a-wee where they will do a thorough check on the people who adopt her to make sure she doesn't end up in a bad situation.

2006-06-22 18:26:29 · answer #3 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0 0

She needs training. This should have been done from the time you got her. She's playing like a puppy. She needs just as much effort and training as the girls do. You have 3 youngsters all rambunctious and without discipline. She shouldn't take the blame for that. Train her...or let her go to a new home that will. But giving her up gives the kids the message that when things are tough just get rid of the problem. :-(

2006-06-22 15:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0 0

It sounds like all your dog needs is some traing. You can teach her not to nip your children very easily. Every time you see her do it tell her no in a very stern voice. She is still a puppy. She needs to be told what to do. She is just like your kids. When she does something bad tell her no. Use a very strong grumpy voice with her. She will understand after a few times. This is better than the pound or spanking her. If you try this maybe your husband will like you keep her. I raise dogs and it is not that hard to train a pup. Just make her training a game just as you would for your children. She will learn what you want alot faster if everything is a game to her. When opportunity shows itself teach her. No matter where she is with you. I hope this helps you keep what sounds like a very lovable dog.

2006-06-22 16:00:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Put an ad in your local newspaper, or call your local animal adoption agency, not the pound. Often times, the animal adoption agency will have an adopt-a-thon, and take many animals to a location for adopting. Generally, they will make a potential adopter fill out an application, then they will be screened to make sure that the pup goes to a good home. Or, you could always try taking your pup to obedience school, they often times can break them of bad habits like nipping.

2006-06-22 15:43:25 · answer #6 · answered by nellieb_959 3 · 0 0

Have you considered taking your dog to obedience training school first? Puppy is puppy and occasionally will knock down smaller child or give a nip. I think this is not enough reason to " throw" otherwise good puppy out of the house. I think you could start with getting ideas from Dog Whisperer show with Cesar Malan and sign up for obedience training. Your trainer will also give you an advice how to handle disciplinary issues at home. Give your pet plenty of exercise, discipline and you will not need to look for other home. Please, be responsible owner, and do your share of work to raise puppy properly instead of tossing her from home to home. And think how much your daughters will be crying when doggy will be gone. And think, what your daughters will learn from this experience: the example you show is irresponsible one. Talk to your husband and make wise decision.

Added response to Mayberry:

I have been training my puppy not to nip for several month but occasionally this still happens because there are times when puppies are just puppies (just like your own kids have tendency misbehave and forget the rules which parents have set for them) and they forget that they should not nip, and they need reinforcement again and again until they become mature adults. I think setting such a short time line is mistake as any dog needs constant training until they are mature and even then you need to keep the training updated. Training any dog is work in progress and it takes participation of all family members to get the puppy to the behavior you would love to see.

Some more little suggestions for author of original question:

. My dog is very stubborn but we are making progress. In my dogs case placing cone on the head for 5 minutes when he becomes too rough while playing, makes him not to want to play rough again. In the majority of cases just displaying the cone to puppy works well and he abandons his rough game and starts playing with his own toys. Also, please make sure that other family members are not encouraging rough play behavior, this includes your children. Keep close watch and every time your dog gets even little rough, snap him out this behavior immediately.

2006-06-22 15:49:24 · answer #7 · answered by mini golf blonde 2 · 0 0

why not get rid of the husband????

seriously the pup is still young & is playing and yes pups are abit more aggressive while playing .. try to keep the dog from the girls which I know you have but supervise the play time & disapline the dog sternly with a loud no when she jumps on the kids..ALSO tell you husband to find the dog a new home or be more patient ...

good luck

2006-06-22 15:51:16 · answer #8 · answered by muffett1 7 · 0 0

First of all in response to the answer above, dogs are social pack animals and are not meant to be left outside alone, it's MEAN. Now along the same lines it sounds like a lack of training is the problem here. The dog needs to be taught where in the pack order she falls. Right now she thinks she is at a higher level than your kids. You should talk to a trainer or behaviorist to help with this problem. You should never get a dog unless you are willing to deal with all of the problems that can come with it. Getting rid of the dog is not the answer, would you get rid of one of your kids if she got older and acted in a way you didn't like? It's sounds like you were not ready to have a dog and properly train it, at 9 months she is very playful and needs to be taught the right way to play.

2006-06-22 15:49:36 · answer #9 · answered by Christine 2 · 0 0

she is young and playing with your children as she would her littermates. she feels you are her family and you are her family, it would be cruel to just "get rid of her". All puppies "mouth" with is put their teeth on things/people without really bitting, and this is probably what is happening. you need to do two things. First, obidience shcool for the dog. That is your responsibility to make sure the dog is properly trained, and to seek outside assistance if yo dont know how to train the dog yourself. You accepted this responsibility when you accepted the dog into your family. second. don't allow her to mouth or ever put teeth on people. look up behaviorist websites for tips or ask your vet for guidence. Hopefully the issue will be resolved, and you and your family will be able to enjoy many years of hapiness with your pup. Good luck.

2006-06-22 17:26:00 · answer #10 · answered by **0_o** 6 · 0 0

**** Ok..what has happened your dog doesn't realize how fast she has grown.
Now.. I ask your husband to make a deal if she gets puppy training and if she is not better behaved by July 29 of this year ..then he has a deal...but if she is better she stays.

Now.. puppy did not know her playing was too "rough" . I understand your husbands thoughts.. Dob's are very protective esp kids.. Our dog protects kids that do not belong to her.

2006-06-22 15:58:10 · answer #11 · answered by MayberryNR5 6 · 0 0

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