Sometimes rehoming a dog is the best thing for the dog

Training isn’t always the best solution for every dog. Sometimes the best solution isn’t the one we want to choose.

I recently received a call from a distraught mother of an 18-month-old child, her dog had bit the infant in the face twice. She was looking for help.  Anyone that has ever had an 18-month-old child, knows they get into things, and they move fast.  This is a dangerous situation at best when the dog has already bit the child.

I have been training dogs long enough to know that parents with toddlers are fighting an uphill battle, they do not have the time necessary to address an issue like this. It really doesn’t matter what the circumstances were behind the bite incidents. It might not have been the dog’s fault; it could have been the child doing something to the dog. The reality is to address this issue the first thing that must happen is the dog needs to be kept separate from the child. How do you keep a toddler away from the dog? That is easier said than done.  Bites can happen in a fraction of a second. This type of thing does take time to address. Are the risks of having another bite on a child worth it, while going through the training? 

There are 800,000 dog bites each year in the US.  Half are children.  12% of adult dog bites require medical treatment, but 26% of children require medical treatment.  The chance of a child needing medical treatment for a bite is over double that of an adult.  The most likely place for a dog attack to occur is in the home of the child.  Second most likely place in the home of friends or family.  On average about 15 children are killed each year by a dog.  The danger is real when it comes to dogs and children.

I offered this mother 3 options.

1. Send the dog to a board and train. This can be very expensive.

2. Rehome the dog.

3. Put the dog down.

As a parent, a dog trainer, and someone that has had to make tough decisions regarding my own dogs, I suggested to this mother to rehome the dog. The dog might flourish in a home where there aren’t young children. A board and train is a good option, but most young parents are cash strapped the way it is. Plus, there is no guarantee the result will fully address the bite concerns.  I don’t know the circumstances of the bite; I wouldn’t recommend putting the dog down without evaluating the situation. All I know is that since it has happened twice, it will likely happen again if something big doesn’t change.

I know the mother wasn’t happy with my answer. I know she loves the dog. The safety of the child is the most important thing in this scenario. It is possible to work through this with the dog, but at what cost and what risk is this family willing to take? Sometimes with our pets we don’t get to make decisions based on our feelings, sometimes we have to make the decision we don’t like but we know is the right one. 

If you have a dog that is aggressive, or reactive, or has bit someone, there is help.  Sometimes it just starts with a solid obedience foundation.  If you are struggling with things such as jumping on people, pulling on leash, excessive barking, lunging at other dogs, lunging at people, ignoring recall, whining, resource guarding, destroying articles, reactivity, or aggression, the issue resolution for all these issues begins with a strong obedience foundation.  If you are in the Olathe, Overland Park, Leadwood, Shawnee, Gardner, Springhill, and Kansas City area, we can help you build a better foundation with your dog.  You can fill out the contact form at https://wwwkcdogtraining.com/contact-us/ or by calling 913-206-3703.

source https://wwwkcdogtraining.com/sometimes-rehoming-a-dog-is-the-best-thing-for-the-dog/