Our male dog we've had for 10 years has always shown aggressiveness but now with my 3 1/2 year-old, I'm concerned. What should I do?

Hello,

I would really like your opinion on the following situation:

Almost 10 years ago we decided to adopt a dog from a shelter. The dog was healthy, and we guessed he was somewhere between 4 and 6 months of age - he was loosing baby teeth. The shelter noted him as a stray and there were no other details. We visited him on two occasions at the shelter prior to adopting him. He had a lot of energy, like to play ball and seemed to be a generally happy dog. We could only guess at the breed, thought he was a cross between a husky and chow - he had a blue patch on his tongue, a beautiful thick, 2 inch orange and cream colored coat and a curled tail (looks like a large Shiba Inu - at maturity about 65 lbs).

As we got to know each other better, the dog showed signs of aggression when playing, nipping and growling, always vocalizing. We scolded the dog when this happened - withdrew attention. Anyway, at around 6 to 8 months we had him neutered. Then we took him for basic training. The trainer said we had to be very strict with him since he showed very aggressive tendencies. The dog needed to know his place in the pecking order. At one point, this trainer held him by the leash (choke collar) in the air to stop him from his viscous behavior. Unfortunately, since the trainer did this, other people in the class complained and he was fired. My husband and I thought the trainer was acting appropriately under the circumstances. The next trainer mostly supported teaching how sit, stay and shake a paw.

Both my husband and I worked during the day so we kept him in his crate ( 3 X 4 X 4). He did not like being in his crate, he would bang his nose against it until he would cut himself. Anyway, as time moved on, we decided to let him be free in the house during the day, while we were away. We had no issues with property damage and he was contained.

When he was about a year old, we decided to purchase another dog - an 8 week old female Rottweiler. We thought that he would be happier with a companion since we were away at work. He seemed to resent her from the get go. When we gave them each treats, he would walk over to her and take hers from her. She just let it be, we told him not to do that, but this continued to happen as time went by. The rottweiler had a great disposition and just went with the flow. Anyway, I don't think he ever got over her being added to the family. They lived together, were company for each other, but I do not think they were ever great friends. (FYI - when she was about 3 years old, I gave them each a chew - they were about 15 feet apart, she laying down, he playing with it - she looked over at him, booffed at him, he dropped his chew and walked away - in the end he did not intimidate her anymore).

Anyway, time passed and we had a baby, who is now 3 1/2 years old. When the baby was born, we decided to place a baby gate as a barrier at the upstairs landing from the basement (a resting area on the main floor for them). This kept the dogs apart from the baby, but still around the family. I have kept both dogs behind the gate from our son but on occasion the female has been out and around our son. The female dog follows child's commands but the male complains under his breath when being directed. I do not trust that my child would be safe with the male dog if he were free to roam about the house. I worry that other children visiting could be harmed by him.

My concern relates to aggression and unpredictability of the male dog and my son's safety.Over the years, he has repeatedly shown aggression to myself and son, occasionally to my husband, and with everyone he fluctuates between I love you, I hate you. You never really know where you stand with him, he snarls, curls lips, growls and snaps and wags tail. The female tends to stand between me and him when we are together and he is aggressive. I have been nipped twice by him (no blood) and in each case I dragged him by the collar into the kennel - withdrew attention - I did not allow him to think he had the upper hand ever. To be clear, he has been mean to the Rottweiler on many occasions, he snaps and bites her, piercing her skin (draws blood). She likes to play and is gentle about it. I have petted both of them and she always has cuts on her nose and neck and he never does - he plays VERY rough.The dog favors my husband and tends to listen to him more than others but does not even always listen.

At this point, I think he needs to be put to sleep before he hurts someone. I do not think anyone else could handle him. Since we have had him so many years, I am struggling with the decision (how do you kill a member of the family). It is me after all pushing for this, my son is afraid of him, my husband thinks we can contain him, however the dog has managed to run away two times and each time I worry about what he will do.

I really would appreciate any advice, recommendation or affirmation you could make.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Elisa