Should my dog be put to sleep?

Question

She tried to bite my 8 month old son. I know that when a dog bites a child they should be put down, but does just trying to bite deserve the same thing? Here's what happened, when my son crawls too close to my dog she'll growl at him and show her teeth. This has been going on for about a week so we've been trying to find her a new home. Today I was sitting on the floor petting her and my son crawled up. I moved her out of the way (which is the only reason she didn't get him) and she still tried to bite him. I don't know if I should just keep on trying to rehome her or get her put down. The last thing I want is her biting my son or some other person/child.

She's a 3 year old dach/min pin mix. She's really sweet most of the time! We got her from a shelter in May and she's done fine with my son until he started crawling. She came to the shelter as a stray so we don't know much about her history.

Answer 1

no, don't put her down just yet. find a shelter for her if you can't find a home. there are lots of folks that choose shelter dogs. just tell them, no small children.

Answer 2

It would appear that your dog may be suffering with the age old green eyed monster disease!
Some dogs do not take kindly to their home and humans being invaded by a small human who screeches and drools a lot.
I assume the incident when you were sat with her was the dogs way of guarding you as her property when the 'intruder' came close.
She sees the baby as an invasion of her pack, and would like to establish that she is in charge, which of course she isnt.
Also, you didnt mention how old your dog is and if she had any previous experience with chidren prior to your son.
It may be that in the past a small child has given her an upsetting memory, perhaps pulled her tail or poked her about, and its not something she is going to let happen again.
Perhaps even the reason for this only starting recently was that your son may have trampled on a paw while crawling past. Unfortunately she cant tell us, so she deals with it the only way she knows how.
With patience and training it is something that can be overcome,but with a young baby i doubt you have the time and energy to devote to it.
I would keep trying to rehome her, or to place her in the care of a no kill shelter, making sure they are aware that she cannot be placed with children.
Putting her to sleep would be something fairly drastic, but understandable.
A shelter will see she goes to a good home.
I wish you all the luck in the world with the dog and your new family
x

Answer 3

Growling in a dog means "I am angry and will bite and defend myself." If your dog is doing this to an 8-month old you have a big problem. Get the dog out of your home today.

I work with a humane society and all shelters temperament test dogs before accepting them. So-called "no-kill" shelters (I don't like the term because they select only adoptable animals - easy to be "no-kill" when you take young healthy animals with no behavioral problems) won't take him and county shelters will euthanize him.

I often suggest people try retraining, but given the severity of the situation and the imminent threat to your child, I don't suggest it - your dog will never be 100% safe around your child even with training. I don't suggest passing this problem on to anyone else. Even if you find another home it will take time to do that - no one wants an aggressive dog that bites kids - there just aren't takers in a world full of shelters with happy unaggressive dogs looking for homes - and you don't have time to go looking for one. Yours is one of the rare situations where I think euthanasia for the sake of your child's safety is the best choice, hard as it is.

I'm sorry you are in this situation. It is not easy.

Answer 4

Find a home for the dog with no young children. There could be alot of things causing this problem too such as how old is the dog, how long have you had the dog to yourself, what breed is your dog? Check with your local shelter and see if they can't place the dog in foster care until a permanent home can be found.

Answer 5

She'll adjust fine in a new home that is in any way familiar with dog training. She considers herself top dog over your son and is exerting her power. How old is she? As long as the family who adopts her is familiar with dog pack mentality, there won't be a problem. Where are you? Anywhere near the Jersey shore, I could help you out.

Answer 6

It sounds to me like your dog is freaked out over the baby. I don't think I would have her put down, I would either keep her sperated from your son or rehome her. Some dogs just aren't comfortable with kids, especially dogs that are on the younger side usually.

Answer 7

did she do this before he was born?
does she do it to other people?
maby she is jealous over the new born i dont think you should have her put down just needs a new home..might be more comfortable.i would say give her time to adjust to the new born crawling but it may be too riskey

hope she will get better

Answer 8

Some dogs just don't like kids. It doesn't mean they are bad dogs. Call your shelter or a rescue group that specializes in your breed. They'll take the dog.

Answer 9

No./ Every dog could be trained not to, try finding a dog trainer, i've known a lot of dogs who did this and were easily trained so that they wouldn't

Answer 10

Is the growling due to jealousy? You could try re-homing her with a childless family. I'm not a behavior expert, but perhaps there is a way to deal with her jealousy.