Need Payers

[damnyankee]

Saturday morning my beloved lab of 8 years attacked our 15 month old son. Thank God my wife was right there and the little guy only suffered some non-scaring injuries to his face.

This dog has been my life for 8 years, she never left a duck behind and never gave less than 100%. Her only mission in life has been to try and please me. We rode hundreds of miles together in the truck searching for ducks and our next big adventure, it was never too cold or never too icy for her to try and please me. We shared motel beds where "no dogs" were allowed and she put up with me coming in drunk and loud.

She never said, "I don't want to go there aren't any ducks around," she sat with me and stared at the sky.

I love her so much but now I have to say good-bye.

Guys I don't want to let her go but I don't know what I can do.....

[dawg-n-duck]

Sounds like you have a dilemma on your hands. If I was put in the position, I do not know what I would do. Was the dog provoked in any way at all or was there any reason the dog acted the way it did. I would take all factors into consideration before I made a decision. Good luck.

[damnyankee]

No, boy was walking by and dog pounced..
Momma was right there.

[legends of the lower mars]

It's sometimes hard for dogs of older age to make adjustments like that in life. It seems that you surrounded her with love and she was the center of attention for 8 yrs. Dog's just don't respond well to abrupt changes in thier life. They can adapt sometimes, but anytime something like that happens, Well let's say no good parent in thier right mind would take a chance again. We had a similar incident when my youngest was 2 and a half. She got nipped in the face two different times. The first time the wife went beserk. Rightfully so I think, But I new there might be something that possibly brought it on. I seperated my dog from my child except when I was there to supervise. I watch for about 2wks and nothing. Then I saw when the dog was playing with it's toy and my little one tried to take from him. Not a good thing at all!!! The dog went apeshart!!! I had never wittnessed anything like it. I immediately interviened so no one was hurt thank god, but there was a dangerous problem that definately had to be addressed. Solution 1. Get rid of my faithful companion which I considered a son. or solution 2. Separate the dog from my child and get professional help and try to salvage the situation safely. I talked to several vets in the area and they told me that dogs are not that diferent from people. They need security and stability. And when a big change comes along esp like a new child; well let's say they usually get pushed to the side and or pushed to the limit. They go through periods of depression and anger just like we do. If you look animals will usually give signs well before something happens. Not the case in everyone though. Just my opinion, Go and talk to a Vet or two and see what they recomend. Also it might not hurt talking to a couple of trainers that specialize on social skills in dogs. It cost me some money, but my partner was worth it. Bear in mind, the safety of your child comes first. I was lucky, the problem resolved it's self in about a year. We had to make adjustments in our time schedule (Meaning dog had his time too!)Good luck and again, your childs safety is first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sunnylab]

i wouldn't jump to any drastic conclusion. i mean i'm sure somebody would take the dog and keep it as thier own and you could continue to duck hunt w/ her. and spend time w it.

it sounded like you want to put it to sleep.... i think the dog has abandonment issues or maybe just thinks of the small child as another dog. I wouldn't know exactly what to do either. hope things work out.

now if it was a pit bull...i would say shoot it. or i would shoot it for you. those things hate kids.

[regishay]

Heres a solution, you need to serperate the two like you would any siblings. I have been faced with a similiar problem a few weeks ago, my dog has now taken up residence outside during the day and at night i have a place in the house that he gets to sleep. He does not come in any contact with my son, until my son is old enough to understand when he can pet him and when he should leave him alone.

[Doc & Nash]

If all else fails, I would find a home with older children to put the dog in. Maybe you have a hunting buddy with no children you can take your girl in until the child gets older.

8 yrs is a long time but the life of your child is not worth risking.

[Dutch Dog]

8 yrs is a long time but the life of your child is not worth risking.

Exactly what I was going to say. I know it would be hard to part with your dog of 8 years, but you knew 8 years ago that the day was going to come when you had to say good-bye, and it would probably be around 10 years or so. They make other labrador's, but they can't replace your child. This is my wife's take on it. (she read this) She said if one of our dogs ever attacked one of our kids and I didn't get rid of the dog, then the dog attacked and killed one of our kids at some later point there would be 3 deaths, the childs, the dogs, and MINE.

There is no need to drag the whole "pit-bull" thing into this. A dog that will attack is a dog that will attack whether it be a Shih Tzu or a Collie, or a Labrador, or a Rottweiler. There is no need for them around.

[Dutch Dog]

She also said that if your dog means more to you than your child that you would be divorced and you and your dog could live happily ever after. This is a no-brainer to me as well...the dog would have to go. Sorry, I know none of this is what you want to hear, but in my opinion it is something you NEED to hear.

[MStephens]

Yeah, think of your little boy with a scarred face from an attack. His whole life will be changed.

Its hard to believe you are struggling with this. It must be a red headed step son and not your real flesh and blood?

[brake man]

I hate to say it, but I think that dog has to go yesterday. Not to be harsh, but does your son mean more to you than your dog? If your dog hurt your son, you would never forgive yourself (nor would your son, wife, other any other family members). I bet there would be folks out there who would like a good, mature hunting dog of their own. Hang in there, buddy.

[Skeeter]

there are alternate solutions than to putting the dog down...hell, ill find you a home for the dog.....if it were any other breed than a lab, i would tell you differently....but if a lab attacked a child, its either not a full blooded lab, or in some way was confused about the child....i dont know....but do not put that lab down.....pm me and i will find it a home....my neighbor wants my 2 labs, im sure they would take her.....just PM me...

D

[damnyankee]

Well guys a lot of the reason for the post was for me to just get it out, if you know what I mean.
This dog has always been "glued" to me, I mean she can't live when I'm not with her, therefore I can't give her away. But more importantly I think what if I gave her to someone and something happened? Or if I keep her and something happens? I know she now has a proven record of attacking a child, I can't in good conscience allow her to go on. I have had a responsibility from the day I brought her home to do what is right for her and the rest of the human race.
I spoke with 2 differant Vets and they both said the same , she has to go. Unfortunately she has justified what she did already, it will happen again and the next time it will be easier for her to justify.
Both said the same 98% of labs love children and adapt but the other 2% scare the hell out us. Something inside her head said attack, could be one of 1000 reasons but that isn't important.
I appreciate the discussion and hope to keep it going it seems to help.

[Delta Duck]

I would just keep a muzzle on the dog when the dog was going to be around any human contact except when yall are out together.


Glad your son is okay.

[Stano]

My two labs have growled at my kids a couple of times in the beginnig.....they quickly found out that was not accetable if ya no what I mean......was the female in heat or close too it? My female lab used to get wierd at that time and right before maybe spaying the dog would help I dunno.... It would be a tough to get rid of the lab but mine would have to go too.......