Feed the dog in his crate/kennel, I have one that was a little edgey around her food, I turned the kids into little hotdog dispensers so she saw them as a source of food not a threat. seemed to help. my kids feed the dogs and are active in training them.

I hear you all loud and clear! I do not believe crating him will harm him in anyway, he is fully crate trained. I can easily feed him in the crate. I was so surprised by this occurrence because I am very vigilant, in fact I was about 10 feet away (not paying any attention unfortunately) when this happened. In fact the mistakes I made that enabled this event are as follows:

1. I told the kids to stay away from the dog while he was eating his treat (wrongly thinking the 3 year old would do it)
2. I fed the dog at a time and place I should not have
3. I became lax in my supervision, even if only briefly, it takes only a fraction of a second for a tragedy to occur.

Therefore, I will take all your advice and feed him in the crate. I owe him the peace and quite while he eats and the kids the safety. My only concern about it is since I do have four kids (and others are constantly around) I am worried that the kids will accidently drop food on the floor and he may go for it - does that sound likely or is that paranoia?

Complete separation is not possible nor desirable for me. I want him to be a part of the family but nothing supersedes the safety of the kids.

I wanted to say thanks (again) I find this discussion board an INVALUABLE resource and sincerely appreciate everyone taking the time and sharing your expereince, insight and feelings with me.

-Al

teach the leave it command

 Quote:

Complete separation is not possible nor desirable for me. I want him to be a part of the family but nothing supersedes the safety of the kids.

Not possible,not desirable?? Now that he's allready decided the terms of his relationship with your kids,(remember he see's them as prey from your previous post?)I think it's really his only way to be a member of the family. If your thinking your going to find some quick fix your wrong.

 Quote: Al Lewis

My only concern about it is since I do have four kids (and others are constantly around) I am worried that the kids will accidently drop food on the floor and he may go for it - does that sound likely or is that paranoia?

Very likely and not paranoid at all.

 Quote: steve strom

 Quote:

Complete separation is not possible nor desirable for me. I want him to be a part of the family but nothing supersedes the safety of the kids.

Not possible,not desirable?? Now that he's allready decided the terms of his relationship with your kids,(remember he see's them as prey from your previous post?)I think it's really his only way to be a member of the family. If your thinking your going to find some quick fix your wrong.

IMO, it is wishful thinking (and dangerous) to believe your desire for a family pet/PPD will somehow override the pack mentality/prey drive behaviours your dog is exhibiting.

This will take time, training "leave it" and continuing to work on all obedience, and maturity in the dog will help immensely in the long run.

My last dog (12 mos) did not even bite my child, he alert barked (as if my son were a stranger) on 2 occasions. In my mind his behaviour contrasted sharply between MY (in)experience and honest ability to make it right. At that time I did not believe keeping child and dog separate would work--not to mention my desire for family pet/schH dog strong--he was not the dog for it and I was not the right handler for him.

Like I told you, knowing what I know now, in the same circumstances, dog would be raised with the kids and around 8 months to 18 or 2 years be indoor outdoor kennel dog with extremely tight training and ob with children around.

Your (and your wife's) weakness is fear for your children and your dog knows this.

Are you working with a trainer? What is the recommendation there? All the internet talk in the world is fine, but actually seeing you and your kids interact with the dog is another.

Edited by Michele McAtee (09/13/2008 06:01 AM)
Edit reason: trainer

 Quote: Al Lewis

My only concern about it is since I do have four kids (and others are constantly around) I am worried that the kids will accidently drop food on the floor and he may go for it - does that sound likely or is that paranoia?

Al, this is why in my first post to you, I made it clear that the dog should always be crated when the children are eating.


You have a choice Al. A family dog, or a Personal Protection Dog. The decision needs to be made now.

You had started another post in which you asked about PPD's and children. It seems to me that you're not taking the appropiate steps to ensure the kids' safety. The dog already bit your child and so what steps have you taken or HAD you taken since you had already asked about this?

Some of us had suggested total separation and apparently that hasn't happened. The dog is still a pup, so what is going to happen when he's a full grown 90lbs rottweiler full of testosterone?

You say you don't have a choice, of course you do. Crate him, keep kids AWAY, or get rid of the dog. Some people's circumstances do not allow for a PPD. That's a fact. Listen to the members with more experience or IMHO somebody will get hurt.

 Quote: Al Lewis

Complete separation is not possible nor desirable for me. I want him to be a part of the family but nothing supersedes the safety of the kids.

Well even if it's not desirable it has to happen. PPD's are not family pets IMO.

Thanks again for all the candid input, everyone.

-Al