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+--- Thread: Fostering a Dog With a History of "Nipping" Children? (/Thread-Fostering-a-Dog-With-a-History-of-Nipping-Children)
Fostering a Dog With a History of "Nipping" Children? - FlanneryCam - 01-03-2013
Would you foster a dog with a history of nipping children? I don't have any children myself and there is a dog in the area who needs a foster pretty quickly or his current owners will be putting him down.
I guess I'm wondering, 1) how safe it would be to foster this guy and 2) how much I could help him get over his problem with kids if I don't have kids around.
Ideas?[/u]
RE: Fostering a Dog With a History of "Nipping" Children? - Molly - 01-04-2013
I would find it a home where there are NO children. And a neighborhood with NO children. If you live near children and you take this dog for a walk, then you are taking a risk.
We had a dog that we kept outside on his chain, next to his dog house, when we were away. The next door neighbor's teenage boy would tease our dog when we and his parents were away. As a result, that dog would snap at children. We found a home for our dog, someone who lived on several acres of property who wanted a dog (not a puppy) that could go for walks with him on his property. He didn't have any children nor did he live near children, since he lived in the country.
As much as we all love pets - and dogs - on this forum, the safety of children needs to be our number one concern.
Do you know how to train a dog out of a dangerous and bad habit??? Are you willing to take the risk of being an owner of a dog who nips and could harm a child???
Its a difficult situation and as with any difficult situations - you need to base your decision using your head, not just your heart and decide what is the safest choice to make.
RE: Fostering a Dog With a History of "Nipping" Children? - FlanneryCam - 01-05-2013
From what I know of this dog, he's young and needs proper socialization. So I think there's time to help retrain him not to feel possessive or whatnot around children. This dog is reportedly amazing with adults, a lover.
I have some skill training dogs. But I would not be willing to foster the dog if he doesn't have a chance to learn some new manners.
Besides, it's impossible to find a neighbourhood with no children. Really. I can't imagine a place around where we live without kids. It's impossible.
I would rather work with the dog to see what we can do. The family who has him right now doesn't have the time to do the work. I understand why they're worried, but I also think that this puppy (he's only 8-9 months) needs attention. Of course, I would never trust him around young kids, but I also don't trust ANY dog around young kids.