Thinking of getting dog put down

pm.

Hi

I recently got a German Shepard, he was 7 months when I got him and 8 and a half now. I have 2 young children 6 and 3 and they play out the back all the time but they are now afraid too because the dog keeps play biting with them. I even went to the measures of getting a training collar it works when im around but when its my wife and kids he is back to normal again.

Today my wife got the biggest shock of all, the German Shepard was on top of my 3 year old son with his head in his mouth. My wife ran over to pull the dog away ( he wasn't aggressive but way over the top playing for a 3 year old ) my son now has 2 small puncture marks at the back of his head.

It kills me too have put asleep but I don't think I have any choice.... what do ye think ?

paultf

pm. wrote: »

Hi

I recently got a German Shepard, he was 7 months when I got him and 8 and a half now. I have 2 young children 6 and 3 and they play out the back all the time but they are now afraid too because the dog keeps play biting with them. I even went to the measures of getting a training collar it works when im around but when its my wife and kids he is back to normal again.

Today my wife got the biggest shock of all, the German Shepard was on top of my 3 year old son with his head in his mouth. My wife ran over to pull the dog away ( he wasn't aggressive but way over the top playing for a 3 year old ) my son now has 2 small puncture marks at the back of his head.

It kills me too have put asleep but I don't think I have any choice.... what do ye think ?

Putting a pup to sleep is a bit extreme. Try to rehome him.

pm.

paultf wrote: »

Putting a pup to sleep is a bit extreme. Try to rehome him.

Id like to keep him...... but im afraid if i rehome him he will get more aggressive and attack another child

heno86

yeh why would you put him down? you said he was play biting so i would assume he isnt necessarily aggressive. i would agree that he may not suit your home environment so i would suggest you rehome him..or if he isnt yet neutered i would also recommend this and try make sure he is exercised sufficiently daily this should help calm him down

niamhsiobhan

Yea I agree, I think you should try rehome him. I'm sure somebody would be happy to have him. Maybe not the best choice of dog considering your circumstances though with the little kiddies and all. Something smaller probably wouldn't frighten them as much. I'd hate for them to have a fear of dogs now after it.

andreac

What training and discipline do you do with this dog? Sounds like the dog doesnt know the boundaries and what hes allowed or not allowed to do.
If he is just play biting then that can be stopped with training and firm.
Dogs dont just automatically know right from wrong so its up to you to teach and train them.

pm.

niamhsiobhan wrote: »

Yea I agree, I think you should try rehome him. I'm sure somebody would be happy to have him. Maybe not the best choice of dog considering your circumstances though with the little kiddies and all. Something smaller probably wouldn't frighten them as much. I'd hate for them to have a fear of dogs now after it.

I also have a 10 year old lab so the kids are well used to dogs, I did a good bit of research before i got the dog and found that they are really good with kids. i only had the dog 1 week and got him neutered ( 6 weeks ago ) I bring him on a good 2 mile walk every day so he gets exercise.As I said the last thing i want to do is have him put down.... would obeisance training help ? who do I go to live in Mullingar had a look but couldn't find any where local

adser53

Play biting / mouthing is normal puppy behaviour but it's your job and responsibility as an owner to train him to know what's acceptable.
You've only had him 6 weeks and already thinking of putting him to sleep?! 6 weeks is no time at all, what do you expect to accomplish in such a short time with a boisterous puppy? Also, for clarification, what do you mean by training collar?

Anyway for now, don't leave your toddlers alone/unsupervised with the dog, that's just common sense with any dog. He's only playing but could easily cause injury to them. Secondly, and I mean no offence, get a trainer in to help you because if your already considering putting the dog to sleep, it sounds like you could do with the help

ppink

if he is only 8 months old why do not you get a good behaviourist in to help you? or maybe you have done this already?

Sheps play bite a lot and it is just a matter of teaching him what is acceptable.

I cant get my head around your reasoning for putting him to sleep

talkin

paultf wrote: »

Putting a pup to sleep is a bit extreme. Try to rehome him.

8 and a half years i think is it?

andreac

talkin wrote: »

8 and a half years i think is it?

Nope, hes 8 and half months, said he only got the dog recently...

talkin

thats just playing if hes 8n half months! he needs more walks exercise toys etc......

omen80

I have to ask the obvious and wonder why you got a german shepard with two small children in the house? They may not be aggressive but you were looking for trouble there really.

Don't put the dog down, it's not its fault. Try to get someone else to look after it.

Dudess

If children are your concern, it's possible you can find him another home where there aren't children. Although I'm surprised that thought didn't seem to occur to you anyway...

Wolflikeme

Your ignorance both astounds and disgusts me.

Do the dog a huge favour and rehome him immediately and don't get another one.

pm.

ppink wrote: »

if he is only 8 months old why do not you get a good behaviourist in to help you? or maybe you have done this already?

Sheps play bite a lot and it is just a matter of teaching him what is acceptable.

I cant get my head around your reasoning for putting him to sleep

The reason is I have a child that had he head in the mouth of a German Shepard and has two puncture marks...... As I said if i could find a "behaviourist" local i would try it

andreac

omen80 wrote: »

I have to ask the obvious and wonder why you got a german shepard with two small children in the house? They may not be aggressive but you were looking for trouble there really.Don't put the dog down, it's not its fault. Try to get someone else to look after it.

Seriously?? Its attitudes like this that make people consider getting their dog put down because of what the op's dog is doing:mad:

You are obviously not a dog owner.

Emma1980

confused myself here, is he 8.5 months or years?? i'm presuming its months therefore that it quite shocking and disturbing that you would even consider having him put down. surely you must have done some research on the dog before you got him????? i personally wouldn't consider a german shepard when there are small kids in the family but maybe thats just me.
all he needs is some basic training and obediance and if you're not prepared to do this, then give him to a loving owner that would be prepared to put the time and effort in.

andreac

pm. wrote: »

The reason is I have a child that had he head in the mouth of a German Shepard and has two puncture marks...... As I said if i could find a "behaviourist" local i would try it

Dogs can do a lot of damage even play biting, so its not the dogs fault, he doesnt know any different.
If the dog was being actually aggressive your child would have been very severely injured.
Why was the child left playing with the dog anyway?

The only person to blame here is you, not the dog, he knows no different. Its up to you to teach him right from wrong.

Wisco

Dogs and young kids should NEVER be unsupervised as you never know what will happen. Get a behaviourist or rehome the dog but it's ridiculously to put him down for a problem that you've created by lack of training and/or supervision.

talkin

u need to walk the dog and train the dog not leave he/she out the back by his/herself! than when your kids go out he/she will be full of beans ready for play time all excited. so do you have the time for a dog. i defo dont think you put a dog down for been playfull under a year old if that was the case there would be no dogs left. he/she is still basically a puppy

omen80

andreac wrote: »

Seriously?? Its attitudes like this that make people consider getting their dog put down because of what the op's dog is doing:mad:

You are obviously not a dog owner.

You are obviously an ignoramous. I suggested giving the dog to someone who can look after it. And I do own a dog by the way.

andreac

omen80 wrote: »

You are obviously an ignoramous. I suggested giving the dog to someone who can look after it. And I do own a dog by the way.

Far from it.
I am not the one with the ignorant attitude you posted, about asking for trouble because he got a german shepherd with children in the house.

They are fabulous dogs and there is no reason whatsoever he was asking for trouble just because of the breed:rolleyes:

pm.

my child was out the back with my other son and my wife was in the kitchen looking out..... I have said in my last 3 posts that i would like to get some obedience training done but dont know where to go....... the dog is 8 and a half months. Why are German Shepards the wrong dog for small children ?? they are suppose to be a very loyal dog to their family and great around kids, some advice I read from here as well as other sites.

Emma1980

DOG TRAINING IRELAND

Or check your local vets as they have signs up all the time

ppink

pm. wrote: »

The reason is I have a child that had he head in the mouth of a German Shepard and has two puncture marks...... As I said if i could find a "behaviourist" local i would try it

ok I had posted before I saw your behaviourist post.

German Sheps are a dog that you need to do a bit of reading about before getting them. They are fantastic and will reward you in spades (I own some) but they are very playful and do play bite until you teach them not to, as with a lot of puppies. He was playing with your child as he would one of his litter. It is up to you to set the boundaries there and teach him.

I have also by the way been badly attacked by a German Shep as a child as the dog was not taught these boundaries.
my advise to you is either a behaviourist (I am not from your area so would not have a clue) or rehome. There are GSD lovers out there who like me would have no problem with a dog even if it was child agressive, so you should find a home for him even with what has happened.

andreac

No need to shout.

Contact Jenny at:
http://www.k9trainingservices.com/
Shes based in Westmeath and i highly recommend her.

lrushe

PM imo 8 and half months is far too young to ever consider getting a dog put down, he is just a baby and has so much to learn.
You are a parent so you must realise that your children didn't come into the world knowing right and wrong you had to teach it to them, your dog is no different.
If you can't or don't want to work with him try contacting a breed specific rescue and see if they can accommodate him rather than just rehoming through a friend etc., your dog now through mismanagment has a bite history he must only be rehomed to an experienced home. That's just my 2 cents.

talkin

you'l get a lot out of the dog if u give him a lot but he played and you want to put him down instead of training him. do you walk him or be around him yourself or do you just leave him out the back

omen80

andreac wrote: »

Far from it.
I am not the one with the ignorant attitude you posted, about asking for trouble because he got a german shepherd with children in the house.

I said you were an ignoramous. You just keep proving my point!

andreac wrote: »

They are fabulous dogs and there is no reason whatsoever he was asking for trouble just because of the breed:rolleyes:

Well if what you say is true we wouldn't be having this conversation would we???

pm.

andreac wrote: »

No need to shout.

Contact Jenny at:
http://www.k9trainingservices.com/
Shes based in Westmeath and i highly recommend her.

Thanks for that, but I had to should as people did not see it in my last few posts..

ppink

pm. wrote: »

my child was out the back with my other son and my wife was in the kitchen looking out..... I have said in my last 3 posts that i would like to get some obeisance training done but dont know where to go....... the dog is 8 and a half months. Why are German Shepards the wrong dog for small children ?? they are suppose to be a very loyal dog to their family and great around kids, some advice I read from here as well as other sites.

German sheps are fab dogs, you are right. They are very much known as one person dogs though so this is why you need to do a bit of reading and be sure you socialise and set the boundaries with you and your family.

what training collar did you get?

just another thing about the walks. puppies are supposed to walk I htink it is 5 mins per month of age (someone correct me if thats wrong). I am only sayign this as people automatically say exercise the dog but be careful of doing too much or you will end up with bad health issues.

pm.

talkin wrote: »

you'l get a lot out of the dog if u give him a lot but he played and you want to put him down instead of training him. do you walk him or be around him yourself or do you just leave him out the back

Please read my last posts....

omen80 wrote: »

I said you were an ignoramous. You just keep proving my point!



Well if what you say is true we wouldn't be having this conversation would we???

Its not the first time I have been told that they are suited for children.

talkin

pm. wrote: »

I also have a 10 year old lab so the kids are well used to dogs, I did a good bit of research before i got the dog and found that they are really good with kids. i only had the dog 1 week and got him neutered ( 6 weeks ago ) I bring him on a good 2 mile walk every day so he gets exercise.As I said the last thing i want to do is have him put down.... would obeisance training help ? who do I go to live in Mullingar had a look but couldn't find any where local

sorry i actually didnt see this post. just seemed shocking ud think of even putting a puppy down

andreac

omen80 wrote: »

I said you were an ignoramous. You just keep proving my point!



Well if what you say is true we wouldn't be having this conversation would we???

Huh??
You are the one who is ignorant with your attitude about dog breeds and saying he was asking for trouble just because it was a german shepherd.

The only one who is to blame for these problems are the owner, not the dog.

You obviously dont know much about breeds like shepherds, if you are going to make a statement like you did in your other post.

Shanao

Hold on a second people, can all the posters who are calling the OP ignorant and so on please consider the fact that the OP had his child's head in a dog's mouth and was injured? Of course its something that would make a parent panic, so lets give some help rather than just criticise.

Op- like the others said, your best bet is to get onto a behaviourist. German Sheps are amazing dogs, but they can be very boisterous as puppies, which they are until at least two years old. It was playbiting so its something that needs to be corrected. You need to contact a behaviourist; he/she will show you how to teach the dog just where its role is in the family. Jenny, as Andreac suggested, would be a good one to contact for a start.


Also Omen, what exactly have you got against German Shepherds? They are amazing dog and brilliant with kids. By suggesting anything otherwise, you are just proving your ignorance of a fantastic breed.

RubyGirl

andreac wrote: »

No need to shout.

Contact Jenny at:
http://www.k9trainingservices.com/
Shes based in Westmeath and i highly recommend her.

+1 on above. Where did u get dog from, any chance of returning her?

If you go down the rehome route, maybe get the help of a rescue.
http://www.celticanimallifeline.com/

omen80

andreac wrote: »

Huh??
You are the one who is ignorant with your attitude about dog breeds and saying he was asking for trouble just because it was a german shepherd.

The only one who is to blame for these problems are the owner, not the dog.

You obviously dont know much about breeds like shepherds, if you are going to make a statement like you did in your other post.

Eh, I think you'll find I said that it wasn't the dog's fault in my original post???

andreac

omen80 wrote: »

Eh, I think you'll find I said that it wasn't the dog's fault in my original post???

But you said he was asking for trouble because of the breed he got, thats what i have a problem with you for, nothing else and you still havent commented on that...

omen80

Shanao wrote: »

Also Omen, what exactly have you got against German Shepherds? They are amazing dog and brilliant with kids. By suggesting anything otherwise, you are just proving your ignorance of a fantastic breed.

I don't recall saying that I had anything against German Shepards. I actually had one in the past. Wtf is your point??

And just in case you think it was me calling the OP ignorant, it wasn't.

andreac

omen80 wrote: »

I have to ask the obvious and wonder why you got a german shepard with two small children in the house? They may not be aggressive but you were looking for trouble there really.Don't put the dog down, it's not its fault. Try to get someone else to look after it.

You posted it, so theres obviously a reason for saying it or else why would you have posted it??

omen80

andreac wrote: »

But you said he was asking for trouble because of the breed he got, thats what i have a problem with you for, nothing else and you still havent commented on that...

As you stated yourself, dogs can do a lot of damage play biting. The OP has kids of 3 and 6 years of age. You would have to constantly watch them out playing with a german shepard.

ISDW

omen80 wrote: »

As you stated yourself, dogs can do a lot of damage play biting. The OP has kids of 3 and 6 years of age. You would have to constantly watch them out playing with a german shepard.

Why more so than any other breed? You just said, DOGS can do a lot of damage, so why then come back and make a big deal out of the fact that its a GSD?

omen80

andreac wrote: »

You posted it, so theres obviously a reason for saying it or else why would you have posted it??

I don't even know what the hell you're asking me here? I posted what?

Emma1980

ah here folks, stop all this - the OP has asked for help, we've all made our points of whether he should have gotten the dog or not but it's not helping him - has anyone got any proper advise for him as to where he can take the dog for training and obediance???

andreac

omen80 wrote: »

As you stated yourself, dogs can do a lot of damage play biting. The OP has kids of 3 and 6 years of age. You would have to constantly watch them out playing with a german shepard.

That goes for any breed, large or small, not just because its a German Shepherd, so you cant just say that because of its breed you have to be more vigilant or you are asking for trouble.
All dogs play bite, big and small but breed doesnt come into it all.

omen80

ISDW wrote: »

Why more so than any other breed? You just said, DOGS can do a lot of damage, so why then come back and make a big deal out of the fact that its a GSD?

Big playful dog. Read the OP's first post.

moving_home

omen80 wrote: »

As you stated yourself, dogs can do a lot of damage play biting. The OP has kids of 3 and 6 years of age. You would have to constantly watch them out playing with a german shepard.

No breed of dog should ever be left alone with kids of this age IMO. the fact that it is a GS is irrelevant.

I know of an 8 yr old girl attacked by a lab that the family had for years, it was on a trampoline with the kids and got spooked by something during thundery weather and ended up bitting the little girls face.
I have a cocker spaniel which is not a big dog nor on the RB list but i would never leave her alone with any kids.

andreac

Emma1980 wrote: »

ah here folks, stop all this - the OP has asked for help, we've all made our points of whether he should have gotten the dog or not but it's not helping him - has anyone got any proper advise for him as to where he can take the dog for training and obediance???

Yes, we have already done that.

RubyGirl

ISDW wrote: »

Why more so than any other breed? You just said, DOGS can do a lot of damage, so why then come back and make a big deal out of the fact that its a GSD?

Agree, any dog should not be left alone with with children of any age. You guys are not helping OP here(not u ISDW).

omen80

andreac wrote: »

All dogs play bite, big and small but breed doesnt come into it all.

Actually it does, some breeds are inherintely more playful or aggressive than others. It's science.