Pets and children.?

Question

My brother in law and his wife have two dogs. When we were staying with them my little boy was 2 years old and always wanted to play with the dogs. But the dogs are not used to children being around do anything he would try doing with them the dogs did not like it. One day my son went over to the dog and tried petting him. The dog bit his face, but only scratched him. I had a huge argument with my brother in law he was telling me that if I didn't like it to keep my son away from the dogs. I said to keep the dogs somewhere my son couldn't touch them. It's kind of hard to watch your child all the time. What do you think should they of kept the dog away from my son or me kept my son away from the dogs.

I ended up keeping him away from the dogs but I was always in my bedroom because the dogs are always in the house.

Answer 1

It's too bad you couldn't work it out together. He should be watching his dogs and you should be watching your child.
I have two dogs and so does my brother! I have a 2 yr old and he has five kids.
Dogs and children should NEVER, EVER be unsupervised when together. When my child (or any other children) are around dogs, I am there watching like a hawk!! If it is with my dogs, I can control them as well as my child....If it is with other people's dogs, then I can only control my child...pick him up if need be or remove him from their company.
Your brother-in-law should have been a better host by watching over his dogs and seeing to his guests (you and your son) but you could have tried to ask him for "help" (instead of arguing) when your child was with the pups, asking him that while you'll keep an eye on your child, could he help you with the dogs.
Tough situation, but bottom line...as hard as it is, when there are animals the child has to be watched at every moment!

Answer 2

Your brother in law is very rude, so are my grandparents in law. They have a little dog who is not used to our children and is very protective. They say the dog will not bite, but the dog has big my son's hand and feet 4 times and I don't know how many times without me around. I told them they need to remove the dog, and if they won't I will leave. My brother got bit my a dog on the nose and had to have many surgeries to repair it. I don't want to go through that. Tell them who is more important a family member or a dog? If they say dog, I would keep the child away from these people they are careless.

Answer 3

It goes both ways, you do need to watch your child around the dogs but your brother in law should have been considerate enough to put the dogs outside or somewhere else. It is important to watch children around dogs not only for the child's sake but the dogs as well. Children that young do not understand the concept of gentle and they could hurt the dog and vise versa. I would be upset with him though for letting his dogs run wild around a small child because you never know what a dog will do. But it is up to you to keep your child safe. Sounds like you are both being bull headed.

Answer 4

Technically your brother in law has a point because it is his house. However, I really am appalled by his behavior. Dogs are animals, your son is a human. How dare he put the dog's comfort over a child's safety. To me that just shows me that he has his priorities mixed up. If I have guests I always put the dog in another room, because he might upset people, not everyone likes dogs, and I really feel it is important to make my guests comfy. But really, a child's safety should come before anything.

Answer 5

Since it was your brother in laws home and his dogs live there it was YOUR job to keep your son away from the dogs and for you to keep an eye on YOUR son. If it's too difficult to watch your son at your brother in law's I suggest you don't go there any longer.

Answer 6

Personally, I would have shot the dog. What if it were someone else kid and he did hurt them. My step brother got his face "ripped off" by a dog when he was 5. It has left a huge scar. People need to realize when they have a violent dog. Even if the dog only left a scratch, he still attacked your son, even in their home it is illegal for a dog to attack, so if you wanted to, you could have the dog put down, so he should back off. I can't believe he is trying to justify it by blaming your son for being friendly to the dog. if he isn't teaching his dog to be nice he is WAY in the wrong! Just tell your sister as long as she has the dogs you will not come over.

Answer 7

knowing that you are there they should put the dog away. I have a older chocolate lab dog and she get nerves around little kids so I kinda have to watch her around little ones. IF I would think she would even TRY anything I would put her away. Although I have a younger 1 year old golden receiver and he is VERY hyper so when a little kid comes in we kennel him up until he settles down.

Answer 8

keep you son from the dogs because dogs are really not used to little kids trying to pet them cause they are so small and what kind of dog is it ?

Answer 9

If you were staying with him it is your responsibility to keep your son away from the dogs. You are in their house you have to respect how they feel about the issue. If it was your house and you felt strongly about something then you would hope that your brother in law respected your choice

Answer 10

It takes too long to explain it...but if you were staying with them for a length of time and they had dogs, then it's up to you to keep your child cooped up in a room. When you have your own place you can have your child roam thoughout the house and ask your relatives to either not bring their dogs or to keep them outdoors.