I need help! I'm so mad and dont know what to do.?

Question

I have a 3 year old boxer and my in-laws have 2, 1 year old golden retreivers. About 3 weeks ago my husband had surgery and like a baby, wanted to stay at his parents house. So we brought our boxer over and we stayed there for about 3 days. Now, 3 weeks later his mom called and said that my boxer had bit one of her dogs and it had to have surgery and she is very mad. I am pregnant and now my husband says we have to talk about giving up the dog because the vet told his mom that boxers are bad with kids. I know my boxer will not do too good with the baby but everything that I have read says they are great with kids. Now my questions are, 1) If my dog "bit" theirs, how come there were 5 people that were in the house and not one of them noticed? 2) After 3 weeks, the wound was so small that 5 people didnt notice, wouldnt it have had time to get better? 3) How does she know that it was even my dog? How does she know that their other dog didnt do it while playing or it happened outside?

Answer 1

EVERY aspect of this situations is sad. I don't even know where to begin.

Answer 2

Sounds like your Mother in law wants to cause trouble. Yes, everyone would have known about a bite that was serious. Probably about a non serious bite also as dogs would have yelped and maybe fought.
Boxers are great family and kid dogs. I might consider visiting the vet who said Boxers are not good with kids. Chances are your mother in law is not truthful or mis understood the vet. I would not give in and give up my dog. Dogs always are there for us, never say an unkind word, love us on bad hair and fat days. I can't say the same for my husband and he's a good guy.
I'd stand my ground. What are you willing to give up next if you give up your dog? Better to get boundaries and limits set now, especially with a new baby coming. Is it your first?
I think you need to be sure to teach the dog boundaries with the baby. Do not allow Boxer to crowd between you and baby nor you and your husband. BE sure Boxer knows limits and boundaries just like your mother in law needs to know them.
In a couple of years your new little one will have a best friend who will play and take care of her or him.
Sounds like your husband needs some help, (maybe yours?) to help him cut the apron strings to mom.

Answer 3

I agree with what you say about the mother-in-law, she could be just being a pain and she could be lying about what the vet said.

.....well, babies should come first and then a dog........your boxer may get jealous of the baby and could see it as the lowest of the pack . If I were you, I would get as much information as possible regarding this situation, to ensure your baby remains safe. Don't take one persons words, read books, ask around, see vets and ask, ask dog trainers etc.

There is a way of keeping your dog and having a new baby, I've seen it done on a programme (I think it was The Dog Whisperer), so start finding out now.

Good Luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.

Answer 4

Your dog didnt bite their dog. That women sound like a *****. Boxers are great with kids. But, all dogs have a unigue personality so if you think your dog might be agressive towards the baby. I cant believe your husband wanted to stay at his moms house. O well, nobody is perfect and I bet hes got a good relationship with his mom. I think that you should personally talk to the vet because I wouldnt be surprised if his mom was making that up for some stupid reason. My grandma never liked our dog, but always loved my cousins dog. My dog is way better. She just likes the others dog better because its her precious daughters dog. She came over, brought their dog a bone and nothing for mine. I was thinking that ***** better watch it. My dog knows sickhim.

Answer 5

I don't think you have much to worry about, except some obnoxious in-laws with a horribly misinformed vet. If the vet actually said "Boxers are bad with kids" he's probably trying to cheat them out of money for this supposed "surgery" on the other dog. If there was a bite severe enough to require surgery, believe me, everyone would have known about it the day it happened....

Anyway....Even IF, and just saying IF your dog did happen to bite theirs....aggression towards other dogs is a completely seperate "drive" than aggression towards people! Plenty of dogs of all breeds are aggressive by nature with animals (dogs, rodents, etc)....and are wonderful and not aggressive to humans at all. Most Terriers will pick a fight with other dogs and will attack and kill rodents, but would never think of attacking a person. My Boxer of 14 years was very friendly with people, but would pick a fight with almost any dog her size. So even IF your dog did happen to bite your in-laws' dog, you should NOT have to worry about your dog being OK around your baby.

Of course, you should never EVER, EVER leave a child unsupervised with ANY dog....but Boxers are traditionally VERY VERY friendly with kids! Introduce your dog to the new baby slowly, allow him to smell the new smells and get used to the idea of a new human :). And be sure to pay attention to the dog while you're busy oohing and ahhing over the baby- some dogs can become jealous over the fact that you're showering affection all over something other than him!

Make "baby time" a fun time for the dog also. Perhaps while you're feeding or holding the baby, keep some dog treats nearby and praise the dog for sitting quietly while you nurse the baby. Take an excited tone of voice with the dog when you're going to do something with the baby- "Hey Fido, let's go see why the baby's crying! C'mon! Let's go see the baby!" It may sound silly, but it helps the dog feel "included" in whatever all the new "fuss" in the household is.

I've even heard of people "talking" to their dog before the baby is born, and telling them all about the new person who's coming to live with them. You may or may not be someone who "talks" to their dog (I do!) but people who've done it, SWEAR it makes a difference and the dog just seems to "know" when Baby comes home, what's going on and how he needs to behave :). It may not be complete hogwash, dogs are very perceptive animals and they do feel the excitement in the household.

Good luck- this is a time for you to keep your stress levels down and focus on preparing to be Mommy :)...don't give up the dog! And shame on your in-laws for concocting some line of bull-hockey and trying to upset you while you're pregnant...I don't know what's wrong with them, but YOU (and hubby, I suppose ;) get to make the choices for your family and hopefully you and your husband can agree to keep your family pet.

Answer 6

There were 3 dogs in the house unless someone witnessed the bite she has not proof. Also if she did not notice a bite wound severe enough to require surgery for 3 weeks she is obviously not taking very good care of her dogs.

Boxers as a breed are very good with children. Here is a link to a site rating various breeds on how good the breed in general are with children
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/children.htm
It sounds like the vet is either doesn't know what he is talking about or someone isn't telling the truth. (Maybe mother in laws way of trying to force you to get rid of the dog, she doesn't seem to like him for some reason)

On the other hand you said you know your dog will not do well with the baby. What makes you feel this way? Is it something working with a trainer may be able to help you work out? While your first priority is defiantly to your baby remember that you also make a commitment to your dog. If you do not feel he will be an actual danger to the baby try to work things out before you try to rehome him. If there is something that makes you feel he is a physical danger to your baby then work with a rescue to try to rehome him with a family with no children.

Answer 7

Although she was rather over the top, I have to side with Misstraceyrick. Your husband needs to grow up. You are his wife and you are having his baby. If he runs home to mama every time he feels threatened or uncertain how to deal with life, he is not worth the attention you are giving him.

I don't know what kind of relationship you have with your in-laws, but it is your husband's job to support and protect you, not to try to take away the things you love while you are pregnant. I would sit him down and have a good "Come to Jesus" conversation with him (if you don't know what that is I could explain) because his behavior is unacceptable.

As far as your dog biting or possibly being a hazard to the baby, that is something your husband should be working on with you, not his mother. She needs to be told to butt out.

Answer 8

Who's sailing up s**t creek with out a paddle? Methinks its you! Your mother ( troll ) in (***** ) law ( from hell ) really doesn't like you does she? What did you do you naughty girl? Did you take her little sonny wunny bunny from big fat mummsie wummsie? Your husband needs to get a f*****g life and grow up!!! Went back to mummy's after an operation? Oh f**k off, if i didn't trust you i'd say you were telling porkies!!! First off, see a solicitor about getting divorced ( you're gonna have that ALL your married life! ) then, call your M.I.L round and let her have it straight. Send your husband to play school first or he'll get all upset and wet his nappy!!! Everyone knows that your dog did NOT bite her dog, she's being a bastard and trying to cause trouble but don't let her! If your dog did bite her dog, she sounds the type to cause such a fuss over it the whole bloody neighbourhood would have known about it there and then! She's told lies to the vet for him to say that boxers are bad with kids, they're not, in fact, did he say it at all? I'd ring her bloody vet and ask him if he said it and i'd ask what she said about the bite! Two 1 yr old pups, together, will play bite and thats what that mark is, nothing to do with your boy at all. If your child, sorry husband!, says the dog has to go, find yourself a flat or go back to your parents house with your dog and sit it out! How f*****g dare he take his mothers side against yours? In fact, don't you go anywhere whilst pregnant, throw mummy's boy back to mummy!!! You really don't need all this hassle in your condition do you? Put your foot down girl and tell it like it is!!! Once your baby is here, introduce him/her to your furry baby and you'll see the love grow between them! Boxers are great with kids, are well known for it! The troll ***** from hell is being too protective over your unborn child ( oh god, just look how her son turned out!!! ) but she needs to mind her own business, its your baby, not hers! Final result is Troll 0 - Dog 100! He stays, she goes and if he ain't careful, she can take her son with her! Good luck to you and don't forget to stand your ground and stick up for you dog! Oh by the way, don't ever let her look after your dog for a weekend, he'll never come back!!!

Answer 9

I couldn't even get through your whole question... Boxers are GREAT with children! and... you make a good point. why is your mother in law just now bringing it up? You're in a hard situation, but you need to have a serious conversation with your husband away from his parents. I can't believe she is acting like that. I'm sorry you are in this situation.

Answer 10

boxers are good with kids..... but like any other animal you have to watch it around new people (children included) im sure the dog will be fine with the new baby once the dog gets use to baby being around............ as for inlaws i would say prove it was my dog that bit their dog

Answer 11

I have had three boxers in my life...

2 passed and one is still living...she is a 4 month old boxer and she loves kids...she wouldnt hurt a fly...

i have 3 nieces ranging from ages 2-6 and they love her and she loves them

i think that your mother-in-law is fibbing~!

it must have been playful scaring...

i dont know what to say keep me updated please