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Need help with a friend's dogs

760 views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  Durbkat 
#1 ·
I was surfing through craigslist and this woman was going to get rid of her two senior dogs because they've been biting their kids. But from what she's told me its her kids that are provoking it. Here is what we have been saying,

Amie said:
I have 2 dogs that need homes. I'd prefer that they go together, but am open to them being split up.
Bowie is a Bearded Collie mix who is 7 years old. He is a fixed male that is housebroken. Bowie is epileptic & takes 1 pill 2 x a day. He has done this for years, so is very good at it. The meds cost approx $8-10 a month. He is so sweet & lovable.
Annabelle is a terrier mix & is 6 years old. She is a spade female that is also housebroke. Annabelle is a healthy girl who is so sweet. I would not recommend Annabelle to a home that has an indoor cat & she likes to chase the cats that come into our yard!

They are dog friendly & easy to get along with. They would be great for a home that had older children or a single family.
We've had them since they were born & hate to get rid of them, but our 3 year old won't leave them alone & I'm worried they'll finally have enough & hurt him.

Serious inquiries only. Please do not email me & tell me what a bad person I am for looking for a new home for my fur babies. I feel awful enough, but I am a mother who has to think of my son 1st. I will ONLY place them in a home that I'm comfortable with.
This is their craigslist ad.

This is my first response,
Durbkat said:
Hey I saw your craigslist ad and I'd hate to see you get rid of your dogs just because your child won't leave them alone. This can easily be fixed as long as you set boundries for the child. Such as if she gets to rough with them and won't listen to you then she goes in time out. You can get more info on how to train your child at,
http://www.dogforums.com
This is her response,
Amie said:
Thank you for the info. I'll def check it out.
Bowie bit my son about a month ago on his nose. I'm not sure if it was exactly a bite or his tooth got him when he was barking, but we had to take my son to the ER & he got 1 stitch in the side of his nose.
Today Annabelle was asleep on the couch & my son ran up & jumped on the couch. It scared her & she nipped him. She got his forehead.
They are both great, sweet dogs. I just don't want one of them to get him in the eye & do damage that I'll regret.
Thanks again,
Amie
My response,
Durbkat said:
Yes, this can easily be fixed. All dogs will do that especially older dogs who don't like to be disturbed. They are just trying to defend themselves. Like I said if you can teach your kids to leave the dogs alone and only pet them when you can watch then there will be no problems. Do they have crates? If so when they go in there that could be the off limit zone for your kids to not disturb them or if they have a favorite room they like to go into that could be the off limit zone. I am a member on that forum and just recently a new member came on and they had a golden retriever and a 9 year old son with ADD and the son kept bothering the dog and running around it and screaming. Basically just annoying the dog, till the dog bit him. They were going to get rid of the dog, and it was only 10 months old, but when we told her how to control her kids they were able to keep the dog.
Her response,
Amie said:
Thanks so much for the info. I'll talk to my husband & see what he wants to do.
Tonight when he was giving our son a bath, he saw dried blood in his hair. He called me in there & I used peroxide to clean it. There was a cut where Annabelle had got him today & I didn't even know about it. My husband said we had till next Saturday to find homes for them.
I'm sad, but am struggling w/ this.
Amie
I'm not sure if she will register but is there anything I should ask her or tell her? I just sent her an email asking if this is a new behavior, but anything else?
 
#4 ·
That's tough, it's much easier to teach kids slightly older the rules of interacting with a dog than a 3 year old. Thinking back to my previous dog I had when my kids were babies, I used baby gates alot (still do) to keep kids and dog in seperate areas. Supervision at all times they are together. The crate is a no touch zone, kids are not allowed in the dog crate or to pet the dogs in their crates. I'm thinking also that her dogs should not be allowed on the couch right now. The couch should be for people, the dogs should have their own beds/crates. I don't think this should be done for all dogs, but considering the issue....good luck to her, as a mom, in a way I don't blame her for thinking about rehoming, but it also sounds like there is some room for improvement with better management.
 
#5 ·
Yea I agree. From her description it sounds like the child is spoiled and has no rules to obey and they don't correct the kid so the dog is doing it.

You know, while surfing the pet section of craigslist you wouldn't believe how many people were getting rid of their dogs for stupid reasons and they say they got it from the shelter. So I sent a few of them emails telling them that they can't legally get rid of the dogs, they have to return them to the shelter seeing as its in their contract to return it to the shelter. :rolleyes:

Here is the picture this lady had on the craigslist ad,
 
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