Kelsey, the situation stinks, that's for sure. I think, given the dog's documented history of problems with children, you might have a case to get your money back.

Any lawyers in your family/social circle?

Regarding getting the dog the help it needs, it may be simply getting him placed in a home with no kids, and the future adopters knowing about bis history. This is not necessarily an issue that can be 'trained' out of a dog...

Kelsey, I was posting at the same time as you.

Since you've already lost your money and they are not being responsive, consider contacting a rescue in your area. Many will take in dogs with behavioral issues and will foster and train with the end result of finding an appropriate home.

Janet,

We had to sign a contract saying we will return the dog to the shelter (it's a "no kill") if it doesn't work out and not rehome the dog ourselves. Since the shelter has him micro chipped to them, the dog will end up back with them even if we go through a rescue. I suppose it is possible they will agree to the dog going to a rescue organization given his issues, but that would require that they actually respond to me.

Due to the level of irresponsibility they showed in adopting him to us in the first place, I am reluctant to let them try again. But I probably am being unreasonably worried about that?

Lynne,

I agree that if the rest of the family is set on keeping the dog we absolutely need a few more barriers in place. Using the leash and the crate are helpful, but already the child has accidentally gotten to close to the dog even with us telling him to STOP and BACK UP etc. Yeah, the muzzle will help, and we will continue training the child too...

I don't know. As my partner put it, "Is one week of trying really the best we can offer this dog?" I kind of think maybe it is, but I also wonder if there is a more reasonable time frame we can set to observe if progress of happening?

This is too delicate an issue for me to give my opinion, since I just don't have the experience.

But I just wanted to say bravo for making the effort to investigate all the options, with a mind to what's best for the dog as well as for your family.

This board is definitely the place for good advice.

Of course, I didn't think about contract obligations. Perhaps due to their oversight they would be willing to release you from this obligation? My only fear of returning him to the shelter would be that they would place in a home with children again.

 Quote: kelsey perkins

I don't know. As my partner put it, "Is one week of trying really the best we can offer this dog?" I kind of think maybe it is.....

For me and aggression, it is.

I have another question, not really related to training but more out of curiosity about something I witnessed between my two dogs. Do dogs ever teach each other the "rules" with regard to family members?

I ask because my older sons, who are 12 and the same size as me, (who Jubal has not had any issues with since coming home)were playing in the back yard and being very loud. Jubal jumped up and sort of ran toward them. I wouldn't say he actually charged them, but he wanted to know WTF they were up to, and I do think he was uncomfortable with the noise level. I was on my way to block this when our other dog intervened instead.

Sadie got in his face and growled at him and then chased him backwards onto the porch. Later when all was calm and one of the older boys sat next to Jubal she again went over and growled at him and stood over the kiddo.

I was dead impressed, but also surprised since up to this moment Jubal has always displayed dominance over Sadie. This incident had two effects on me. First, it made me nervous that he was reacting to the older kids when he hasn't before (e.g. the problem may be even worse than we realized), and second it made me totally impressed with our other dog, but I'm not sure if her behavior should be encouraged or discouraged in the big picture.

Yes, dogs do learn house rules from each other by observation.

There are routines in my house that I didn't even have to teach dog #4, like waiting before eating. He saw the other three staring at me waiting for a command to begin eating, and just followed along.

Correcting each other, however, isn't something that I'd encourage. The ideal scenario is humans are #1--all dogs are equal #2. (Even though we know they probably have some pecking order among themselves, I don't think it's a good idea for the humans to recognize that or reinforce it). I don't tolerate any acts of agression or domination by one dog on another. If somebody needs correcting, that's my job.

 Quote: michael_wise

 Quote: kelsey perkins

I don't know. As my partner put it, "Is one week of trying really the best we can offer this dog?" I kind of think maybe it is.....

For me and aggression, it is.

And for me, you’re partner’s question is a good one. However, I think a more appropriate question has nothing to do with timelines.

You are dealing with a dog that has had known “abuse” from children and has learned to deal with it in an aggressive manner towards them. As people head out, taking their child to the hospital, they also ask, was five seconds too long to turn my back?

One week to really understand the severity of dog’s issues is not at all an accurate timeframe. But given this dog’s past, the new situation he has placed into and what you’ve experienced so far - it’s a bit of a no brainer for me.

Not at all the right circumstance for all involved.