A couple weeks ago I posted the pics of that rescue dog that my friend adopted - thank you to all of you who helped picked out some possible breeds in him. He definitely has some behaviors that line up with the shepherd and northern breeds. His name is Jedi now, and he is 8 months old. They have had him for about 6 weeks now - their vet had him for a month prior to that. She rescued him from an abusive owner.

I have been helping them with training and he is doing very well. He's a great dog and wants to please them, he learns fast, and they are committed to getting him trained.

The issue I'd like input on is this - they have 2 boys, one is 8 and the other 5. Jedi has some issues with the 5 year old, and has nipped him several times - the skin has not been broken, and he does growl or anything, he just seems to not trust the kid. If the 5 year old comes to the dog and tries to touch his face particularly, Jedi will jump up and nip at him - Friday he did try to bite him in the face, but no skin was broken.

The 5 yr old is a typical active boy that is being taught how to respect a dog. He doesn't hurt the dog, but he is not 'gentle and nice' either - just a little rough and interested in knowing what's inside eyes and ears. The owner is not letting the kid be alone with the dog, and they are aggressively training the kid on what not to do.

We know how to deal with the 5 year old, but I also don't think it's appropriate for the dog to react so agressively to the kid - I don't think it's good to have a dog that will react with biting no matter what the circumstances. We don't know the background of this dog, except that it was occassionally hit out of the owner's impatience. Jedi does not have this reaction with any other member of the new family - they can get right in his face, touch him anywhere, etc and he is fine with it. Not sure why the 5 year old is different, but he is.

Any suggestions on what should be the appropriate plan for dealing with Jedi on this?

The dog should be placed somewhere where he will NEVER have access to the 5 YO boy (interpret that as you will and just my opinion)

 Quote: lori hall

... The issue I'd like input on is this - they have 2 boys, one is 8 and the other 5. Jedi has some issues with the 5 year old, and has nipped him several times - the skin has not been broken, and he does growl or anything, he just seems to not trust the kid. If the 5 year old comes to the dog and tries to touch his face particularly, Jedi will jump up and nip at him - Friday he did try to bite him in the face, but no skin was broken. .... Any suggestions on what should be the appropriate plan for dealing with Jedi on this?

I'm sorry to say that this sounds very scary to me, and not viable. No offense to your friends at all, Lori. I applaud them for adopting.

BUT.

This should never have been allowed to happen, and "several times" kind of blows me away.

Any plan I would suggest would have to be based on the adults being in complete control (of dog and children). That can't be what exists here, with "several" incidents and still the child allowed to approach and touch the dog.

This dog needs an experienced owner (maybe even an experienced owner with no kids).


This is JMO, but it's a pretty experienced opinion: Bad fit.

I'm really glad to hear you say that Connie. That is my thought too, but I am not experienced enough with this type of situation, that I wanted to be the only one telling them they need to re-place this dog. I was quite surprised when they told me it had happened several times, and the dog was still in their house!

I will be calling them this afternoon and encouraging them to find a more suitable situation for Jedi.

Thank you, just what I needed to hear!!

It would be wonderful if they could try to place the dog in a home where there were no children. THe training they have done with the dog will help him to find a better home than he would have found before.

Update:
I talked to them this afternoon and they also read your posts. They have made the decision to return Jedi to the vet, and let them find him a more appropriate home. They appreciate the honesty and the advice!

Thank you

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

It would be wonderful if they could try to place the dog in a home where there were no children. THe training they have done with the dog will help him to find a better home than he would have found before.

A good point that I wish I had made!

On the other hand, turned into a shelter with the comment, "bites children" is guaranteed euthanasia, or at least it used to be. "Doesn't care for young children"
might be safer.

If the dog would have bit my son he would have been put to sleep there are to many good dogs looking for a home to deal with trouble. you can't save them all

 Quote: john axe

If the dog would have bit my son he would have been put to sleep there are to many good dogs looking for a home to deal with trouble. you can't save them all

So John, what do you think your new Mal puppy would do if a strange kid pokes him in the eye?