How do I prevent my dog from Biting my bratty nephew?

Question

My brother sold his house early and is going to stay with me for two weeks while his New house is being built.
My problem is my Nephew is a typical untrained spoiled bratty ...and is ALMOST 4 year old.
And he has already terrorized their own poor dog that had to bite the kid in self defense..
My dog is a very smart 3 year old Doberman male named Troy.....who is not going to put up with rowdy savage behavior
I warned my brother That I will not except any rude and physical abuse towards my Dog ...And if he cannot control his son 100% of the time, than do not step foot on my property with him.
So my brother suggested that I write up an agreement that if anything happens ...So my dog or I will not be liable ....Is this a good Idea?
What should I do ?

WHY CAN'T KIDS IN THE WEST BE LIKE THIS.....the WAY KIDS ARE TURNING OUT THESE DAYS IS EMBARRASSING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GepekqxB45o
I can see China laughing at us in the West

Answer 1

Explain to thte child that he needs to be gentle with the dog or the dog will bite him. And NEVER leave them alone together.
If you start looking for the good in your nephew and encouraging his good behaviour rather than focussing on his bad behaviour and giving him attention for it then he will start behaving better. it just takes perseverance. I mean he is only 4, of course he is 'bratty' at times he is still learning and your brother is responsible ultimately for his behaviour. Try being nice to the poor kid you will probably end up enjoying having him around.

Also I agree it is embarrassing but it is also sad how kids are turning out these days. The main reasons are that there is a poor husband/wife relationship between parents and that parents put kids either first making them brats or last also making them brats. I could write much more on why kids, marraiges and families are a mess these days....but Ill leave it at that.

Answer 2

In My Humble Opinion, there is a risk that Troy will bite your "bratty" and "rowdy" nephew. HOWEVER, the bite risk is NOT because Troy is a Doberman. He's a dog -- regardless of breed -- who will only tolerate a certain level of abuse and misuse from a child.

I wouldn't write any agreement. I'd simply tell your brother that his son is not welcome on your property until he's no longer a brat. Put the responsibility where it belongs -- on a parent who appears FAR TOO permissive and disinterested.

Tell your brother to rent a room at a Brock or Marriott's Residence Inn.

Answer 3

Guess what, that agreement won't mean diddly if Troy bites the brat. You WILL be liable; furthermore, dobies are big and dangerous animals, especially towards smaller creatures like children who are closer to bite sized. A doberman instinctively knows how to deliver a FATAL bite to the neck, as well. So......
Be smart, since you already KNOW this is going to be a problem; tell your brother that he'll have to find another place for the brat. They should probably stay in a motel, as it is only 2 weeks.
Otherwise, send Troy off to a kennel, but I vote for the kid staying somewhere else, and Troy staying home.

Answer 4

I do think you need to cover yourself and yet I wonder if such an agreement would stand up in court if anything untoward did happen to your nephew.
My concern here would be that a judge may well take the view that you allowed the boy into your house 'knowingly'-in other words in the knowledge that the dog-a doberman-might turn on him.
The fact that he is a brat (and I don't doubt it) would,in that eventuality count for nothing.he is still only three and therefore is not in any way responsible for his behavior-however antagonizing that may manifest itself towards your dog.
So therefore any liability will,at the end of the day,be down to you and your proposed agreement may in the event count against you in that you had already been fully aware of the possibility of what happened to the extent that you sought to minimize liability in the first place.
Apart from this,I view your predicament as something of a nightmare.Are you seriously going to go through two weeks living on the edge?.Also when builders say that a new house is going to be finished in 2 weeks in my experience you can double the time frame.
My answer would be to tell your brother 'no'.
If the dog harms the child for whatever reason-regardless of provocation- then that's the end of your dog.

Answer 5

In My Humble Opinion, there is a risk that Troy will bite your "bratty" and "rowdy" nephew. HOWEVER, the bite risk is NOT because Troy is a Doberman. He's a dog -- regardless of breed -- who will only tolerate a certain level of abuse and misuse from a child. I wouldn't write any agreement. I'd simply tell your brother that his son is not welcome on your property until he's no longer a brat. Put the responsibility where it belongs -- on a parent who appears FAR TOO permissive and disinterested.

Answer 6

Dogs and kids both are very unpredictable, One time bitten could result in the kid being really scarred or damaged for life. Try to keep the kid and dog separated for the time being.

Answer 7

Put a leash on the dog or put a leash on the kid (LOL)

I think the kid learnt his lesson by now- If not try spending time with the kid, make him adore u & so that he makes u 1 of his heroes & then tell him 2 b nice 2 dogs-he'll listen

Answer 8

The kid needs to be kept apart from the dog as much as possible.

When with the dog, supervised as much as possible.

Most dogs, especially the well-trained ones, understand that kids are kids, and give them a certain amount of leeway.

If the kid gets bit.....yeah, maybe that agreement is a good idea.

Answer 9

even if you are in your house and your dog bites your nephew, you are liable. better politely refuse your brother and his family the use of your house.

Answer 10

Tell him you cannot control your dog 100% of the time either...quid pro quo.