Tried to Bite Our 3 Year Old

[qbaker]

Thanks for the replies:

Update

RE PREVIOUS POST: http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/bo...agression-towards-my-3-year-old-new-post.html


My wife and I have decided it best to place our boxer in another home. We are sorry to do this as our other two children are older (13 and 11), and he has absolutely no problem with them. Unfortunately, we've had no problems with him and our 3 year old either until that one incident. Since then there have been a couple of other warning growls, and given the fact that he's a really active 3 (as he would be) we just can't keep an eye on him 24 hours a day to ensure things don't escalate. He's not an aggressive dog per our evaluation, or the professional behaviorist. The behaviorist is confident that he can help because he's not a aggressive dog, but in our opinion he is just not tolerant of the kind of over stimulation and energy put out by my 3 year old. It's extremely stressful that every 5-10 minutes a prospect for a bad situation is created by the innocent toddler behavior and engagement with the dog my toddler keeps up. They're always supervised, but all incidents have happened in our presence. We think this is best. He needs to be in a home with no children at all, or (with older children 10 and up).

 

[Sansal]

That's too bad. How are you going to find a home for him, are you working with a rescue?

 

[qbaker]

For now, we've reached out to the wonderful behaviorist who provided our initial pre-obedience training evaluation and subsequent counsel regarding the situation as well. He is still hopeful that the situation can be resolved without losing the dog, but respects the concerns of my wife and I, and our decision to find another good home for him. He hopes to be able to assist us in finding a good home for him. (I hope so). Alternatively, the founder of a boxer club or rescue lives nearby, perhaps she may be of assistance in finding him a good home if nothing comes of the behaviorist attempts.

He may be better in a one-on-one situation.

 

[qbaker]

After further discussions among ourselves (my wife and I), and with our professional canine obedience trainer and behaviorist, we've decided to give our boxer a little more time to adjust.

He's only been with us 6 weeks, and as observed by both the behaviorist and ourselves is not an aggressive dog, but (a dog). There is always a different world when it comes to toddlers and dogs. This is not something we have ever had to deal with in the past.

We've learned that there are ways to get through this stage of toddler development that could possibly create a better situation and avoid safety issues, or losing our boxer.

1. We're working with behaviorist on basic obedience and behavior modification, and family plan. There are 5 of us in our family (wife, I and three kids), he will help us help the dog to see my toddler as a pack leader as well, and to see himself at the bottom of the system.
2. Teaching our toddler the ground rules of interacting with the dog. No pet when he's lying down, sleeping, sitting or eating/drinking. No jumping over him when he's lying down, and to avoid getting in his face.
3. We're providing a "safe space" in home for dog to retreat to when he wants to be to himself, and teaching toddler to respect that space.

We understand we'll never stop our toddler from being a toddler, or dog a dog. But we're hopeful we can balance out the situation while our toddler's still maturing.

This is still somewhat a trial as we'll take it one day at a time, and the safety of our toddler comes first. But we're hopeful.

 

[Sansal]

That's great, I hope it works out for all of you. Thank you for putting in the extra work.

 

[packblt]

That's so great, hope all goes well

 

[DebbieJen]

I can only imagine what you are going through. I will keep good thoughts and hope with the advice of the specialists that you are able to keep this boxer.

 

[Jan]

I am glad that you have decided to give him another chance.

 

[qbaker]

Thank you all for your encouraging words. We've implemented some new things, and have yet a few more things to put in place, So far, things are going well. We're hopeful.