There is nothing wrong with asking someone to put a dog away if you aren't comfortable, regardless of the temperament and history of the animal.
In this case I wouldnt be allowing the dog within cooey of my kids and I am a dog person!
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There is nothing wrong with asking someone to put a dog away if you aren't comfortable, regardless of the temperament and history of the animal.
In this case I wouldnt be allowing the dog within cooey of my kids and I am a dog person!
Your parents said this to you:o:
I have worked in a vet clinic and my DH is an animal control officer/ environmental officer and how many times we have both heard someone say 'Our dog has never hurt anyone/thing before' is unbelievable. No one seems to think their dog is capable of harming anything until it actually happens.
Your parents seem to be choosing their dog over your family.
I don't think you are being unreasonable. My dad locks their dogs up if I ask when we visit.
You are not being unreasonable at all and I would do exactly the same in your position. It's just not worth the risk , particularly if the dog has show aggression in the past. I'm sorry your parents don't see your point of view :(
It must be very difficult, given it is your parents you are disagreeing with. I think you are being very reasonable asking that the dog is locked somewhere secure when your DD is visiting. The dog has already proven to be aggressive, I certainly wouldn't take any chances.
Different behaviour but similar situation - when my DD1 was born, I asked my MIL to not smoke in her house when we were visiting. I asked - very politely - if she would mind smoking outside as passive smoking has been proven to increase the risk of SIDS amongst other things. My MIL told me it was her house and I had no right to 'tell' her what to do in her house. She would smoke where ever she damn well pleased - it was her right! I agreed with her that it was her home and her choice to smoke inside, but DD is my child and it is MY choice not to expose her to passive smoking. As such, MIL could enjoy her smokes in the house - we would not be visiting. It took two years and was quite upsetting for DH that I refused to allow DD in her smoke filled house, but eventually MIL told me that she would smoke outside when we visited. Several months later she very deliberately lit up in the kitchen, standing right next to me as I held DD. When I walked to the family room, she and her fag followed us. I asked her if she would mind please smoking outside, to which she responded 'this is my house'. I picked up my bag and walked out to the car. DH followed and we left. A year later we tried again, six years ago now, and MIL finally seems to have got the message that although she can smoke where ever she likes in her house, the result will be that her grandchildren will not visit.
It was exceptionally difficult, particularly for my DH, to refuse to visit their home for three years but ultimately I felt that I had to put my children's health and safety before mine or DH's discomfort or the fear of being impolite. I think you have been more than accommodating, offering to come to training with your parents. At this point, I would simply tell them politely that if they are not prepared to lock the dog up your DD will not be visiting their home - end of story. And then follow through.
I've just seen a very close friends DS go through surgery after being mauled by his uncle's dog. This dog was around before eith er of her kids were born, so had been there with the boys over the last 3.5 years & I'm sure they never had a reason to think the attack would happen. But it did.
My girl loves my kids, but hates men. Will not allow them in my yard, or near us. I don't trust her. I love her, but I'm very careful. In over 3 years, she's never given me a reasn not to trust her, but she's a dog. Simple as that. My kids sit next to her & eat. She doesn't even try to touch it.
Animals are unpredictable. I would do exactly as you are. I stopped visiting friends who's dog snapped at DS for no reason. Especially after all they could do was make excuses. He walked past while she had a bone. I couldn't give two hoots why the dog did it. You know your dog & you know she's been acting that way lately towards kids, yet you leave her out knowing we are coming over, then make excuses for her behaviour.
I can't stand people who allow their dogs to be the boss. If you don't know how dogs work, you shouldn't have one. If they think they're the boss, they'll be the boss.
Sorry, a little OTT, but I hate hearing about all these dog attacks, then listen to people go on about breeds etc. Its not the dogs fault. You can never be too careful.
:hugs: Im.sorry your parents are behaving this way. Choosing a dog over their children and grandchildren is a big thing to do.
I would suggest leaving the topic alone for awhile, perhaps the feelings if shock and grief are being transfered into anger and defence while talking about it with you.
Give them some time to grieve and hopefully they will come to their senses.
As a parent of a child who has been attacked by a dog, I would ask people to put away their dogs until few things could happen. that my children learn how to behave calmly and confidently around dogs, until the children and dog in question have become comfortable with each other under close supervision, and when my daughter is no longer scared a dog will randomly attack her.
Then I may feel ok about a loose dog. But if it was known to attack, anything, I wouldn't risk my kids.
I think you and your sister are right not to trust that dog.
I try to keep mine away from kids especially after my dog bit me. I don't think he'd bite anyone else but I don't trust him. It only takes one child to poke him the wrong way. He's a daushound so only little.
Personally I think a ca conversation explaining your concerns to your parents while showing that you understand why he attacked and that he is a member of the family but you need to build the trust back