My husband’s dog Gus is very aggressive to me. I am expecting a baby soon. My husband knows Gus doesn’t like children, but won’t get rid of the dog. What should I do?

Hi my name is Lisa and I live in Brooklyn. I have an intense situation that I would like your feedback on. I currently living in a household with a dog that I am fearful of. Let me give you some history.



About 9 years ago my then boyfriend (Joe) purchased a male/American pit bull terrier (Gus). For 11 months before he matured I would walk Gus, feed him to help Joe out and even bring Gus up to my house where he socialized with other people. One day my grandmother approached Gus as he was sitting next to Joe while Joe was eating and he pinned down my grandmother. After that he was not allowed in my house and Joe took him to obedience training. I still interacted with Gus (walking, feeding, spending time w/ him). The type of training Gus got was very strict, in an environment where he was kenneled there for about 3 weeks or so (don't remember exactly), and then Joe and I came in for sessions on working with the dog. This made the dog very nervous and untrusting. Now at this point Gus had matured and would show signs of aggression towards me (growling). For example, when he was in the room w/ Joe I couldn't enter, if Joe was sitting and Gus was next to him and I tried to come close, I couldn't. He even growled at me when I entered a car one time. Joe did not correct him at these times, nor did I and after that I was too scared to try the situation again to correct him. I went for about 3 or 4 sessions with the dog trainer and Gus for basic obedience (heel, sit, stay), then one day Gus challenged me and I corrected him with his choke collar, we pretty much struggled but he eventually stopped growling and then I took him outside for a walk to ease the tension. Then one day Joe and I were in the park w/ Gus and I went to roller blade. When I came back Joe was lying down with Gus beside him, Gus greeted me and then all of a sudden turned and went after me, I of course ran with my roller blades on grass and Gus chased me. Luckily the dog was chained to a stake in the ground so I was able to get out of his reach. After that day I wanted nothing to do with Gus. With Joe's persuasion I tried to interact with the dog for about another 2 weeks. Then one day again, I was taking a ball out of the mouth of another dog (Precious) Joe had and Gus went after me and cornered me. That was it. I washed my hands of Gus, which now brings me to this dilemma. (Please bear with me). Joe and I bought a house and got married. It was agreed that Gus would not live with us and like I said, I wanted no interaction with him because of my fear. So for 6 years Gus stayed in his parents house and we went about our business - until last year where I agreed to let the dog live with us as long as I had nothing to do with him. He needed to stay in the basement or the yard. That was the plan. I own two of his daughters (Precious & Ariel). They all get along well. They are actually the only dogs he can interact with. Eventually Joe would keep him in the living room while we were in the TV room as long as there was a barricade up, or the dog is kept in a room on the 2nd floor (our baby's room - who is due in July) where I can't enter for a small time frame to avoid him being stuck in the basement or yard. Now I am a prisoner in my house, I have to ring the bell, I can't walk around at my own free will and with a child coming you could just imagine what I would have to go through. Gus does not like kids and Joe knows that. If the baby was ever around Gus it would be under Joe's supervision. Anyway, that's the background:



Dilemma: Joe would like for me to start some interaction with the dog under a trainers guidance so I can walk freely around the house and give the dog a command and get respect in order to avoid a situation that may come up if I am ever faced with the dog - or basically just to live normally in my own house. I on the other hand want nothing to do w/ Gus, I want him out of the picture. But because Joe feels he is not going to give up on his responsibility I am forced to either live like a prisoner due to my fear, give in and conquer a situation I see unconquerable because I don't see the dog as stable, or leave. Do you have insight? Thank you!



Sincerely,
Lisa