Some things just don't mix
I love my dogs. They're pampered as can be and have full run of the place. Until Bubby arrives, that is. Once Bubby gets to Gramma's and PawDad's things change. Not just because Bubby is the star of our hearts and deserving of all the attention we have to give, but mostly because — and I hate to admit this — we can't completely trust our dogs with our grandson.
Mickey and Lyla aren't dangerous dogs, they're just not used to little boys. They're not used to little boys running and squealing and laughing and racing trucks across the floor and tabletops and arms and head of anyone or anything nearby who will put up with it. It makes them nervous. Poor, previously abused Lyla in particular. She growls and snaps when she's scared ... which is more often than we'd like when Bubby's nearby.
Mickey is a little more laid back about the whole affair, but still one we must be sure Bubby gives a wide berth. Just in case. He's part pit bull and although we know better regarding the cussed-up reputation the generally-sweet-when-raised-correctly dogs have been unjustly given, we keep Bubby away from him. Not because he's a pit bull, but because he was a damaged puppy when we got him, with broken hind legs that he's now sensitive to and doesn't want anyone touching. He's snapped at me, he's snapped at Jim when we've gotten too close to his tender feet, and we don't want to take any chances with him snapping at Bubby who just might touch the tender spots by accident and set the snapping into motion. It would have nothing to do with the fact he's part pit bull, but to anyone else -- to everyone else -- our Mickey's breed would be the culprit, not his once smashed and broken feet he still feels the need to protect.
While Bubby's here, the dogs are constant cuss to deal with a challenge. Keeping Bubby away from the dogs is a challenge. We could banish Mickey and Lyla to the basement or outside, but they're our babies ... most of the time ... and we feel bad not letting them join us in visiting with beloved Bubby. So we allow them around, we stay on constant guard, Bubby gets too close to Mickey's legs or Lyla gets too possessive of me or a toy or her space and the cuss — and cussing — begins. Mostly between me and Jim, as we argue with one another about why we let the dogs in or why we need to just relax or why one of us is partial to one dog or the other and not being realistic about the situation. We alternate between worrying we're being too cautious or not being cautious enough. But you never know. And we don't want to take any chances with our precious Bubby.
So then Mickey and Lyla are banished outside or to the basement and we all feel bad about the incident. But we later try it again. With the same result.
Yes, I love my dogs. But truth be told, I'd rather them be the ones living long-distance and my Bubby being the one living nearby. Or, in an ideal world, if my Bubby lived nearby, visited more often and he and the dogs became used to one another, we wouldn't have this challenge to begin with. But things aren't ideal. So we deal the best we can.
Bottom line is this: Once Mickey and Lyla head off to the big dog park in the sky, we will never again own large dogs with difficult psychological issues. And we won't have two dogs, we'll have only one. One no larger than a Jack Russell terrier.
And the bottom bottom line? You won't see here any cute photos of Bubby playing with Lyla and Mickey. Because most of the time, it's not cute. And the rest of the time, Lyla and Mickey are banished from the fun. Because, unfortunately, some things just don't mix.
Today's question:
How do your animals behave around children?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Reader Comments (16)
Lisa, you are right to be careful. You really never know how an animal will act and for whatever reason. I've seen the shows and, I don't know if I ever told you this (forgive me if I have) but I had two rottweilers -I raised from puppies. They were the sweetest dogs on the planet. And loved and babied like you would not believe (they even had their own couch).
We sent them to the k-9 unit for training, thinking it would be a good protection idea and the trainer came back and said that our female would take someone apart if needed but unfortunately, our male dog hasn't one bit of aggression in him.
Did I tell you this already?
Anyway,
One day we were walking down the street and my big 'ole non-agressive male saw a small furry puppy and just took it in its' mouth and wouldn't let go. Human owners screaming on both sides while my dogs eyes just glazed over -not hurting it-just holding it.
We had to spray water on him to have him release the puppy and there wasn't a bit mark on him fortunately but what caused him to do this we'll never know.
After several animal control interventions, I knew I couldn't have them when I had children... As much as I loved them.
Now I hate my cat but that's a whole 'nutha story (-:
You are definitely right to be cautious. I love dogs but was bitten a few times as a child, the first time when I was around Bubby's age, or a little older by, yes, my grandparents dog. It's always best to separate dogs and little children, especially dogs that are not used to little children.
We have a great dog, but I'm ever watchful when little kids are visiting. It doesn't matter that he's never nipped or shown aggression to children before, you just never know.
Ripley usually jumps up into a child's face for a lick (a taste). I think she's fascinated that they are so close to her size. I have no idea how she's going to handle a full-time kid.
My two, both 30-lb Sheba and 150-lb Kioko, go utterly insane when they have a kid with closer to their own eye-level, showing off, jumping onto a little kid, knocking them down and acting like they suddenly have another dog for a playmate!
You are so right to keep them apart from Bubby; he'll learn that all dogs are NOT like his Roxy.
I don't believe in labeling a certain breed of dog as bad, either. However, you are right to be cautious with Bubby and the dogs. Trust your instincts.
Have a beautiful day, my friend!
Our dog is an absolute spaz around kids. My niece is totally afraid of him, because he seeks her out like a heat-seeking rocket, running full blast to jump on her. Not so great for a tiny four-year-old.
My wife is a canine behavior specialist and we've lived with reactive dogs for years.
Keep your dogs away from Bubby - period. Dogs don't respond to troubles the way humans do. They don't reason. If they get signals to bite, they will bite and it will happen to fast for you to react. If he is bitten or mauled you'll never forgive yourselves and Bubby will have a lifetime fear of dogs.
If you want to have a gentler place to separate the dogs to, I suggest you go to Walmart or similar store and buy a baby gate that pressurized between the walls. Then you can put the dogs on one side, in a bedroom or a den, without feeling you've isolated them completely. You can also keep the dogs on a leash when they are in the room with you and out of reach of Bubby. Either hold the leash or tie one end to a secure place so they don't have complete free range. However, this requires vigilance to make sure Bubby doesn't wander into their reach.
Since the baby is only there for a short visit, I suggest the baby gate. If they lived nearby, you'd want to create a more permanent solution. But whatever you feel about the situation - separate the dogs from the child IMMEDIATELY.
If you want any more details, info, or ideas, you know where to find me, Lisa.
I hope your visit is a wonderful as you want it to be.
We had a large breed dog who was obedience trained but he growled at a child who ran at him and grabbed him. We kept him away from children or directly supervised him after that. A child's safety is paramount. People who make excuses for their dogs bad behavior are flirting with danger.
It's so interesting that you blogged about this now since my kids just had a discussion about buying a dog. I normally don't intervene, but I brought up the question of safety (my grandson is only 14 months old). Thankfully, they listened and will be putting off this purchase for awhile.
We've been banishing my dogs more and more as my son becomes fascinated with them. Our male dog lets our son do pretty much anything he wants while he just sits there and looks sad, but our female dog has growled at him a couple of times. We're trying to teach my son to be gentle, but a 14-month-old kid forgets things you say pretty much as soon as you say them. So the dogs spend a lot of time in the basement or outside.
I totally get where you are coming from. Last year we lost our beloved KC, a huge weim that we had for 10years, and after a few difficult days we decided we had to have another weim in our life. We went searching and found a wonderful breeder on the east side of the Springs with a 1 week old litter of puppies - a total of 8 to choose from. During the waiting time, the breeder also got a wonderful 4 year old weim back from a family and we decided if one was good - two would be better, and Cedric came home with us to wait for the puppy to reach the 8 week mark.
During this time, I was doing regular trips to Denver to keep my granddaughter a couple of times a month, and since Cedie quickly bonded and became my dog, he would join me on these babysitting excursions. He proved to be a lover of small children and adored Kylee, who was less than a year old at the time. In the beginning he would creep up behind me when I would sit on the floor and play with Kylee, and lay as close to us as he could get. I quickly discovered as she became a bit more mobile that he indeed had experience with small people and realized that he was at the bottom of the food chain - and he was OK with this. He lays quietly and will let her pull his collar or ears or even try to put a finger up his nose - his joy is getting to be close - with us watching his every move - just in case he forgets his place.
Unfortunately Gunner isn't as well trained as Cedie - and a year later we find ourselves watching his every move. We now have 5 grandchildren (with the recent marriage of our son - with 3 more small children under the age of 5). Gunner is learning that if he lays quietly, he can stay in the center of the activity, but if he gets feisty - he's out of the game. He loves it when the kids run and yell - unfortunately he thinks he should get to do that and inevitably one of them gets knocked over - so again he's on the sidelines.
We've found that the dogs are with us allot more than the grandchildren - and while I love each of the children with all of my heart, I can honestly say I love my weims as well. The weims enrich our daily life and are companions and even babies allot of days when we would be alone. So we'll have to stay on guard and continue training until the dogs realize where their place is, and that they have to be gently with the little people...it's just a part of being a responsible pet owner...and grammy!
We have our grandson over quite a bit. He has grown up with two big labs and isn't afraid of dogs at all. We have a corgi which is much smaller, but very skittish as it was a rescue dog. Our grandson always wants to pet and play with our corgi, but the dog isn't sure about him. We usually let him hide out in one of the bedrooms with the door closed when the Little Guy is around. It protects both of them. Dogs, as much as we love them, can be replaced. Little guy's can't be. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if my dog hurt the little guy and the dog would be out the door at that point also.
You are a great pet owner and grandma to put safety first.
Our kitty learned to run and hide anytime the doorbell rang since it it very often our grandchildren. She learned that smack dab in the middle under our king size bed kept her just beyond arms length from the little visitors.
I would rather be safe than sorry, Lisa, so I think you are wise to keep your dogs separated from Bubby.
My grandson is growing up with two dogs in his house ..a Pomeranian and a Labradoodle. They seem to all get along. The dogs are playful but don't bite.
I have a very lovable cat but he does not like small children and will hide if any come into my house. I guess cats know children like to pull on their tails :)
Glad you are having a good time with Bubby!
We no longer have animals, because they hamper our travel.
I haven't seen any statistics about how many children are bitten at their grandparents' houses, but I bet it is substantial. I do know that around 1000 Americans per day are bitten severely enough to seek medical treatment; that the majority of those are children; and that over half the bites are to the face. What a chilling thought! It sounds as if you are taking very wise precautions.
Getting bitten is just one problem that can arise from family relationships that include pets. Allergies can cause some real dilemmas as well. So can families who come for visits with their pets when their hosts aren't pet-friendly people. Read my post on this subject.
Looks like the B-day party was a great success.