Just commiserate w/ me again. Laugh if you want to. I have to-either that or cry. DS#1 has a best friend w/ a great dad. Great Dad scored tix to the Red Sox/Yankees game tonight and invited DS1 and DH. Ok so they went up and all was smooth. And Great Dad paid for the very expensive tickets to the game. and told us it was his treat. And he booked the hotel rooms through the company that he owns. So we thought, we can at least pay for the hotel room. But he booked the Helmsley Carlton House hotel--at almost $500 per night! Not quite in our budget-I was thinking it would be btwn $200-$300 per night. And of course, the one night that DH is out of town----my mother dropped off a cake. My youngest went to eat it, the dog wanted to eat it too, and the dog won. tWE sspent about three hours in the ER. He needed stiches-thankfully my mom picked up my 15yr. old and my 6 yr. old to take them back to their house since it was such a late night.

Yikes. Poor littel guy. I had 21 stitches from a dog bite about 12 years and it still gives me the creeps!

Oh my goodness! You have had a very busy week/weekend!

one way to think about it, it can only get better, right?

I hope your boy is okay!!! That is scary when you have a dog that shows that kind of dominant behavior, especially when they are hurting a human family member.


((((HUGS))))))

well, look at it this way, things can only be looking up from here ! What a generous friend your ds has !

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Hope he's ok, my girl would share it she knows agressiveness isnt allowed here she knows her human mom wouldnt accept it,

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At least the Sox won!!!

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I'm sorry about everything too. The expense of the hotel on top of the stress and expense of an ER visit. Is your son ok? I won't even ask how the dog is lol (;

My son is fine. Just a few stitches, but I am so tired. Can't remember the last time I was up so late. Not sure what to do about the dog-she is so food-driven. She is almost two and I thought that behavior would have waned by now. Any tips (besides getting rid of the dog?) Thanks guys! Lynne

How about the "Dog Whisperer"????

He's really good at what he does, and dang is he sexy! lol

I know you don't want to hear this, but as much as I love my dogs, if one of them went after one of my kids, food or no food involved, the dog would have to go.

This is not something that they grow out of. If they are food agressive, they tend to stay food agressive.

I hope you come up with another alternative and that everyone stays safe!

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Ditto here-- it's hard to hear, but if my dog EVER bit one of my kids she'd be GONE the same day...
I was bitten in the face by a friends 2yr old dog when I was in my 20's and still have the scars..
JMHO

Sorry Linny! I hope you are laughing a little about it all if not now maybe next week.

Don't worry soon it will go very smooooooothly for while and you will be calm.

A dog biting is not always an aggressive thing a dog "disciplines" younger and/or other dogs/animals by biting and if a dog has a reason to "discipline" a child they will do it.

It is NOT the dog's fault-if it is a member of the family they usually know it's bothering the dog. If it's not a member of the family they shouldn't be alone with the pet.

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Being the owner of a dog that has "issues" although food aggression is not one of them, I think I would talk with a trainer or read up on the subject. I've read that such dogs need to "work" for their food, i.e., sit and stay before the food is given to them, etc. Without correction I doubt she'll "grow" out of the problem.

I'm so glad you son is okay -- dog bites are very painful.

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The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

She already said the dog is food aggressive. If my dog ever tried to "discipline" my child (as you call it) the dog would be gone in a heartbeat. Maybe it's the dog that shouldn't be alone with the child??

I can't believe that you are giving her advice like this! Does the dog need to further disfigure this child before someone gets a clue??

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Toonces, I always said the same thing, but it sure is easier said than done. Especially when I talked to my 9yr. old (the one who got bitten) about getting rid of the dog last night and he cried himself to sleep over it. That is still an option though, and I am not ruling it out. DH is still out of town so we have not been able to have a good sit down conversation about it. We don't leave her alone w/ the kids-if we are not around, she is in the kennel. She is a beautiful Great Dane who was given to us as a gift when Patrick was sick and wanted a snuggle buddy. I really don't know what we are going to do at this point, it is weighing heavy on my mind. Thank you all for the suggestions for help. I will be doing a lot of research about this food thing.

Google "Nothing in Life is Free"....I have heard good things about it and there are many websites that give free guidance about this method of dog training. What a rough spot to be in!

My SIL had a problem with their dog...the dog would listen to every member of the family but her, and became increasingly aggressive towards her. I know NOTHING about doggy psychology, but their vet was adamant about needing to put the dog down. He said it was in his experience that once dogs started becoming aggressive towards humans (especially their own family) that it was virtually impossible to stop the behavior. It was a sad situation, but at least everybody made it through okay physically.

I hope next week is shining with fun for you! Good luck!

Lynne, that really sucks. I'm sorry you're going through this dilemma. I hope everything works out for you all.

.

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Nowhere was I giving "advice" I was simply stating a fact. We are human we are supposed to act with common sense and intelligence. Dogs are animals they act on mainly instinct.

It's up to the humans to take care of things. I was simply stating that it is NOT the dog's fault and the dog should not be killed, hurt, or otherwise "punished".

You are right the dog should not be alone with a child. And you have no business owning a dog so I hope you don't have one. If you do and your dog disciplines your child and you get "rid of it" that is no different than "getting rid" of an adopted child simply because they bite, hit, or push one of your born children into the street.

That is my last word on this subject. I will pray that you NEVER get a dog because you are the one who needs to "get a clue".

Dogs are not human and they think and act differently.

A dog needs more love and responsibility than a child they will NEVER be able to move out on their own.

Linny there is no need to "get rid" of your dog.

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If you come to the conclusion that she is not a fit for your family please contact a Dane rescue group. Even with her food aggression problem she could be a fit for an adults ony household. Thinking the AKC site would have a link to Dane rescue groups. If not, call a Dane breeder who would likely know of a group.

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Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Why in the world would you say I have no business owning a dog? We have two, and they are well trained and not food aggressive.

If you can't leave your dog alone with your child because the dog is aggressive in one manner or another, then that dog does not belong in a household with children. Simple enough??

If you would choose an animal over your child I pray that you never have children! Good lord, I'm an animal lover but you bet your ass that if one of my dogs went after one of my children the dog would be gone.

The dog is large and food aggressive. What more needs to happen here, another mauling??

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See, you're contradicting yourself. Dogs aren't human, so how can you compare them to an adopted child??

I initially thought that Linny was talking about a young child/toddler. And I could/would cut the dog a little slack because sometimes younger children/toddlers don't understand how to approach dogs, are right at eye level w/ the dog and in the doggy mind may appear as another animal. But, this is a 9 y/o! He knows how to approach this dog, he's familiar to this dog, he's known the dog for a while! If the dog has food aggression issues that is most definitely a problem. You do know that the majority of ASPCA's would not place the dog up for adoption? They would work w/ the dog, but if the aggression could not be tamed, then they would put the dog down.

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My son wasn't exactly "mauled." He has three stitches on his arm.

might be extra careful it doesnt happen again, i think they have to report dog bites. least they had to when my son was attacked by a dog whos loving owners moved and left him in the backyard. attacked my son and then attacked the animal control officer that went to the house to catch it after my report. was worried to death about her being down there, she was a little lady about the same size as my son before his last growth spurt


told the kids when they all move away I'm getting a great dane, probably gets about as much as one of the boys do now so wouldnt be any change

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Linny,

I know you have a difficult decision on your hands. If the dog bit my child enough to need stitches even if it was one...it would be one too many I would have to give the dog to someone that could handle it and it would be someone with NO children. And yes, I consider that a mauling.

You have to do what is right for you.

I'm just giving you my opinion....and you know what they say about those. You can take it or leave it, it's how I truly feel.

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Wait, if you took your child to the ER and admitted that the injury came from a dog, then they are required to report it and you are required to show papers and prove that the dog is not a danger to your child and has received all appropriate vaccinations. Even if it was a deep scratch and not a bite, there was still dog saliva involved and the laws apply.

My children were playing out front right before Christmas when they were attacked by 2 loose dogs and were shaken and bitten. This was more extensive than your situation, but we learned the laws pretty quick.

I know it's hard and you see the dog as a member of your family, but what are you going to do the next time and your child ends up scared? Dogs don't have one offs like this, it WILL happen again and you really need to think about that. Even 3 stitches is serious.

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Okay, I think I understand. Your dog, beautiful girl that she is, needs to learn her position in the pack. She may be bigger than the kids, but she is always going to be at the bottom of the pack. So, I think there are a couple of things you can do to eliminate the food aggression. I'll give you a call later and we can discuss. I know your dog. I've slept with her (she's a good snuggler), walked with her and played with her. She's a good dog, but even good dogs need to learn their position in the family. Don't get rid of her and don't give up on her. You and the kids together will need to work on this. I'll call you later.

Thank you Kellyboys mom-I am just going to call you the Dog Whisperer from now on. She likes you so much better than she likes me. Plus, you have better hair! You know that w/ four boys, this is a pretty intimidating household-even for a dog. For whatever reason, she thought that cake was hers. Perhaps I should bring her over to visit Shadow-remember what happened the last time?

Oh hon I am so sorry to hear all this and as the old saying goes when it rains it pours, I sincerely hope all is better because your such a sweetheart person to ask if I need anything for my aids hospice home donations which was very sweet of you, so again hang in there and hopefully all will be back to normal. Peace. Catherine

Adding my two cents worth here Lynne. A couple years ago my DD was closing a window and somehow got the cats tail caught in it. Of course, he goes crazy screaming and bit her hand when she was trying to get it out. Poor cat probably thought his time had come. We had to take her to the Er, get stitches and antibiotics. I did get a letter from animal control, and we had to have our vet fill out a form stating that he had observed our cat and he seemed normal. Also stated that his shots were up to date. Our vet knew us so it was cool. It wasn't a big deal, and it was standard procedure. On another note, some of my coworkers were talking the other day about a crazy patient that had came thru. Apparently he was playing with his dog (one that he claimed to have had since he was 4 weeks old, is now 9 years) and the dog bit his hand. He admitted that he had scared the dog also. Well after the dog bit him, he decided to do the manly thing and get his gun and shoot the dog point blank. He says the dog has never done anything like that before, but I guess ignorance rules in his house and the dog had to be shot. Burnt us all up. Oh yeah, he also had to have time to sober up before he could be treated. Go figure.

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