Help, our Weimaraner doesn't like small children

[Roasted Chestnuts]

It's easy to be judgmental and sanctimonious when you can't possibly know the exact situation . Blue can open doors and is very persistent in getting to where he wants. I repeat, I was in the room, I had just turned around, thats how fast it happened. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and of course I feel terrible. You make it sound as if we are deliberately negligent, yes we knew Blue was uneasy around children, but those occasions were one off incidents with friends children and we have our grandson every day and blue was used to him.
I just came on to this forum asking if anyone knew of someone who could possibly take him, to actually perhaps relieve the stress caused by separating him.
I didn't know we were going to have a grandson living next door to us..but we do, and we are obviously going to put him first.

So, Black Beastie, you obviously seem to know all about our situation . A stair gate, yes, but if he wanted to he could jump it. If we put him on his own he will get very stressed as he has been used to being with us. Muzzling will make him stressed. You make it sound as if I deliberately contrived to have a grandson come and live next door to upset our DOG.
How on earth can it be supposed that I deliberately 'exposed' him to triggers ? As I said in my initial post, we had been aware that he didn't like small children, but the issue hadn't arisen until now, as we are responsible dog owners so kept him away when children very rarely visited.( about 4 times in the last few years) but this is a radical change to our family set up, one which we cannot change! Not all dog behaviour is the total fault of the owner, they also develop behaviours that are unpredictable. One second was all it took.

Ive had setters who were more than capable of jumping a baby gate should they so wish so we got a very tall one and trained them not to. It's all about how much time you want to invest in this situation that shows how much you live your dog, not the woe is me don't pick on me blurb, I am not sympathetic in these situations as they can be avoided with diligence and a little bit of thought on how to reduce risk.

If your dog is as nervous around the child as you say then give him an out, his own space where the child cannot go, put a not of thought into it and decide if you want take the time to try all these practical and experienced options available. If you don't then be a responsible person and don't stress out and older dog by giving it to a rescue to save your own conscience.

 

[hayley.t]

Very well put BB.

 

[ester]

Well there is no doubt it is going to take effort to keep the dog, but it was always going to with any dog/child combo to ensure that this situation did not happen and that the dog is not stressed and unhappy when separated.

I guess it depends how much you want to bother.

 

[Apercrumbie]

OP there have been several examples on this thread of posters who have had similar problems to you. It is perfectly possible to keep a child-anxious dog with children without any problems - but it does take effort. Getting a behaviourist is an excellent idea as this will allow you to begin to introduce measures such a muzzles and techniques to relax him. I also think you'll find that toddlers are trainable when it comes to dogs and you will be able to teach him to leave Blue well alone. I really don't think you need to PTS yet.

 

[Alec Swan]

Any dog that bites a child should be pts IMO. …….. .

I really can't agree with that. When I had toddlers, there were two working terriers which lived in the house. The dogs had their own space. As the OP's experience, the dogs nipped my children by way of warning, and my children learnt to treat dogs with respect. Children need to learn, and if the parent's are incapable of explaining the facts of life, then the dog will do it, for them.

Alec.

 

[AmyHack]

Not all dog behaviour is the total fault of the owner

I don't normally post on here too much but this has made me angry. All dog behaviour is a reflection of its owner IF the owner has brought it up. If you've had the dog since a pup you should have socialised it and got it used to things it would need to be OK with in later life. A rescue dog is completely different.


Anyway, lets just say that for whatever reason, the dog doesnt like kids. Dogs and kids should be kept separate anyway in my opinion. Even a dog who loves kids can be pushed too far. Dogs and kids need to be taught from an early age to distance each other. And yes, you say the dog has been fine with this particular child, but why would you risk it, even with a dog who likes children! Its really unfair on the dog to subject him to something he doesn't like and then blame him for trying to control the situation himself. That should have been your job.

I think its unfair that you've put the dog and the child in this position, however, its happened now and I think you will be very unlikely to find a decent home for a 9year old large breed. Therefore, by all means try and rehome the dog, but if you don't find a perfect home I think its only fair to have the dog pts in a comfortable homely environment.

I'm sorry if I come across harsh, maybe its because I'm a vet nurse and more often than not, I'm the one holding the dog in its final seconds when its being pts because its bitten a child and the owners are too upset and feel too guilty to stay with them until the end.

 

[fankino04]

Whilst I understand that people get upset by owners wanting to shift their dog on because of small children as it happens so often ( our latest edition came to us at 6 years old due to family having a baby) I dont think theres any need to be so rude to the OP, the situation has come about quite quickly and the dog is obviously very unhappy about this. I do agree that the OP should look at other options before rescue or put to sleep and I have seen some amazing results after just 1 session with a behaviourist and a non child friendly dog and would urge OP to give this a go, basket muzzles are not stressful to most dogs if introduced gently and not left on too long ( peanut butter in them helps too) and as for opening doors upside down handles are great for stumping those overly clever dogs. OP please take a step back from the situation and a deap breath and think through the options before doing anything rash, most rescues are full to bursting and the time it could take to rehome him could even be longer than resolving his issues would take.

 

[gunnergundog]

Teign......re your concerns about the dog jumping over the child gate, buy one of the Lindam extra tall dog gates: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2463195.htm

THEN, in addition, get a normal child gate and fit it upside down immediately above the dog gate. That way you block the entirety of a normal door way with no chance of the dog getting over or through. The dog will be able to see you, so should not get anxious/fret.

There are a number of Weimaraner rescues around; I would suggest the official breed rescue as they will visit and assess your dog in situ.
http://www.weimaranerclubofgreatbritain.org.uk/index.php/rescue

Older dogs can and do get rehomed successfully and do settle and thrive in the right environment.

 

[Bestdogdash]

Older dogs can be successfully rehomed - and the type of suitable home specified. I think the attacks on OP completely unwarranted, she is asking for options/views now she is in a tricky situation. Those who immediately want to put to sleep a fit healthy clearly loved pet after he has issued a warning nip - I am appalled. Alec S rightly makes the point that a nip from a dog can be a useful life lesson. He (the dog, not AS) didn't bite, didn't follow on with another, and didn't attack. He was probably soundly told off for it, and OP has taken interim measures to ensure safety.

I took on an older dog in February, he is happy and we adore him. We don't have children, and we don't like them much either - so our home, for example, would have been perfect for him. There must be others like me, and I actually have an idea about a friend of mine. OP, if she is interested, I will PM you.

 

[Cyberchick]

I have a Weimey who is 8 and thankfully very good with children as has been brought up with them but I do know she is a typical Weimey and would be absolutely devastated to be rehomed. Its bad enough going to the bathroom without her. This would be the most stressful situation I could ever put her in. In your position I would explore all other options first as getting her over the stress of being muzzled or separated in the house would be easier than the stress of never being without me. I would also get some help from a behaviourist who may be able to help set your house up and give you ideas

 

[Teign]

Thankyou for those non judgemental people who have offered their advice. I find it ironic that there are a range of opinions from pts to rehoming, yet those who are the most judgmental don't seem to acknowledge that their opinion is at odds with many who have commented. This situation arose a week ago. We socialised our dog from a very early age, taking him to classes etc. we did not have access to small children, so weren't really aware of how he might be. As from yesterday he has been kept downstairs during the times our grandson is here,joining us in the evening as usual.
I came onto this forum really soliciting advice. Some say any biting dog should be pts, some don't . This is what I wanted to talk about, as well as rehoming etc.
Amyhack, your comments seem contradictory, you castigate me for apparently not getting the dog used to situations, and say dog and child should be taught to deal with each other, whilst at the same time saying children and dogs should be kept separate .. Then proceed to tell me that I've been unfair by allowing it to happen!
Very many of you keep insinuating that I can't be bothered, and others have decided I have already made my mind up.
I've been terribly upset at this incident, and was hoping for some constructive advice from people who may have had some experience of a similar situation . Thankyou to those people who have . I shall indeed be exploring some of the suggested options.

 

[lastchancer]

I'd just keep them apart if at all possible, if not a breed like that would most likely be re-homeable. He doesn't sound like a nasty dog as such, just not keen on toddlers - can't say I blame him.

 

[TrasaM]

Teignbridge..I am in a similar situation but with a son whose 22 years. He also got nipped by my 18 month old rescue. Doubtless if I'd posted for advice I'd have also been told he was dangerous etc ..however what I did do was get an extra tall gate and am using a heavy suitcase that Sam won't climb over to restrict him to his own area. He's gradually accepted my son being around. When son had to pass through I'd use distraction to get him out if the way. I did get a muzzel for him but I've barely used it. I keep him away from any new people as well. It's not worth the risk to have him lunge at and bite someone else and so far it's just been the one incident. I also got a behaviourist in. It is possible to retrain old dogs so don't give up on him just yet.

 

[Teign]

Thanks Trasam . I'm Assuming your son is 22 months not years!.

 

[TrasaM]

Thanks Trasam . I'm Assuming your son is 22 months not years!.

No.my son is.22 years but totally not used to dogs My dog was badly abused and distrustful especially of young men. He's actually quite gentle around young children but I wouldn't trust him to be left alone with one. I'm about to become a granny for the first time and reading your post made me aware of possible future problems. However he's chilled out a lot in the four months I've had him so I'm hoping that by the time my future grand child arrives and is mobile that he will be a more relaxed dog. He's the same size as your dog..a GSP, and similar temperament too I suspect.
Same advice applies though..it's about avoiding their discomfort zone and making dog aware that it absolutely is not acceptable to nip or growl. And watching for the signs of discomfort in the dog and correcting before it goes too far.
It is fixable .
As a matter of interest what does your dog do if you pick up your grandson? Just thinking of the jealousy aspect.

 

[AmyHack]

OP I think I owe you an apology, I was very emotional yesterday and I probably shouldn't have posted at that time. I was unessarily harsh and I should have thought how you'd be feeling before I posted.
I do stand by my opinion, but I didn't explain myself very well. I meant socialising puppies around sensible children, either from a distance (can see but not touch) or under close supervision where child can stroke briefly and then move away.
And I still think that children and dogs should be kept apart for the most time. By this I don't always mean in separate rooms, but other sides of a large room. Also important to have areas where child and dog can get away from each other. (Which I'm not saying you don't have).
I hope I've explained myself better and I hope I didn't upset you. I know this must be a hurrendous time for you, as I say, I probably am overly harsh as I see so many of these situations. Still not an excuse for my post.

I hope you'll forgive me OP and I wish you luck in moving forward with this in any way you decide.

 

[TrasaM]

What a lovely post Amyhack

 

[Teign]

Thank you any amyhack.
To make my life a bit more complex, yesterday my husband collapsed and is in ccu. He has a cardiomyopathy, and every few years this happens. He was shocked by his icd 21 times.

 

[Clodagh]

Take care of yourself, Teign, and I hope your husband is soon on the mend. How terrifying.
I wish you all the best.

 

[at work]

Edited to add - I'm really sorry about your husband - I hope he makes a swift recovery. Focus on him for now.

I've had a dog that was potentially unreliable with children - she would absent herself from the room once she'd had enough of the noise and unpredictable movments from the child, so all it needed was ensuring she had a reliable escape route, along with close supervision. As others have said about their dogs, she was fine outside and would play nicely, just hated feeling trapped by them.

Currently I have a dog that was rehomed to me because the family had a new baby. He was very nervous when we first had him and very anxious about being touched but now is much more relaxed and has been quite chilled even when introduced (with great care) to friends children.

I think if chldren are rare visitors you can mange a situation like these, so long as the dog is basically well socialised and you understand their needs (as well as the childs!). However, if I had a regular visitor such as your grandchild I'd not have been able to manage either dog alongside them.

There are homes out there and your dog might settle, but you need to think about how much your dog can cope with. Will it settle in a new home? Can it be trusted for short spells if a child is around, or is it a potential threat? What happens longer term if it is rehomed more than once (a common scenario?) It sounds harsh, but if you can't cope, it may be the kinder option to pts, rather than risk an uncertain future for your dog - and potentially a serious injury to a small child if the new owners don't properly understand the threat. It's not an easy question.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Really sorry to hear about your husband, I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Regarding the dog, I have been in the same situation with teeny grandchildren and an anxious rescue terrier. One of the toddlers went over to the terrier, who was cornered in the kitchen and poked her head. Butty gave a warning nip to the child.
The dog was swiftly taken out of the room. The child (18 months) was told very firmly not to ever poke or hurt the dog again. The two were later reintroduced and the child was shown how to approach and stroke the dog nicely. All the little ones were told never to approach the dog if it was in a corner because it made her afraid and they were never to treat the dog with anything but kindness. For my part, I ensured that the dog was always able to be in a quiet room when the kids were bouncing around and dog and children were never left unattended.
The dog lived another 10 years and saw 8 grandchildren being born during that time. My first responsibility was to the children, but they learnt from the moment they could crawl, that being not respectful and gentle with animals was unacceptable.