EarlFlynn

<i>Some</i> dogs and <i>some</i> humans are "uniquely and thoroughly compatible." Some dogs see humans as prey, and some humans (such as me) see dogs as dangerous, unpredictable predators. If a dog attacks a human, it should be put down, and the owner barred from ever having a dog again.

That's the way it would be in my perfect world, anyway. I recognize that many - probably even most - people like dogs. Frankly, they've always scared the living daylights out of me, and I've never seen the attraction. To each their own.

Morat

I've got a problem with one of my two dogs. (I got married, and aquired a 6 year old. She had a dog, I had a dog).

My dog is a lab/collie mix and, while she used to be shy around children, has really adjusted well to having a kid around. Heck, my kid uses the dog as a pillow.

The other dog, however, has nipped the kid three or four times. Once hard enough to draw blood. He's bitten me twice (both times it was when I inadvertently hurt the dog, and both times it was just a nip...). I'm not sure why he's biting my kid. He doesn't behave like that to me or my wife.

A trainer I know has made a few suggestions, and we're working with the dog and my child.

On the bright side, my kid was once notoriously shy around dogs. Not anymore, despite being bit.

three4jump

When Chief Wiggam went to New Orleans for a Simpsons spin-off, a crocodile snuck up on him and bit him while he was sleeping, but he wasn't hurt because the croc had corks on his teeth, prompting Wiggam to say, "Lucky that was just a warning croc." Maybe you could have rubber ccaps glued onto your dog's teeth.

Seriously, though, I think working with a trainer as you have been is the best approach. They say that obedience training is for the owners more than it is for the dogs, and I would bet that an experienced trainer who saw you together for a few sessions could help you with this. Also, they say that the one who should take the dog to training should be the one who has the most trouble controlling the dog, although I'm not sure if that would necessarily work with a six-year-old.

Part of the trouble I have with training my dogs is that I don't necessarilly want a well trained dog. I admire their goofy behavior and their rebelliousness. I have to force myself to train them, though, so that they won't get into trouble around other people. I try to make training fun for them and for me. One of the commands I give my older dog is to "Roll and Snort," which is fun for both of us.

godfry n. glad

And some dogs were genetically engineered to kill other animals (including humans).

These, and poorly trained and uncontrolled dogs, are nothing but loaded weapons being brandished in public when they are let off leash in public spaces.

I'm with you EarlFlynn...

godfry

three4jump

Earl and godfry, by remaining ignorant about dogs, you are only adding to the problem. "I don't understand it. It scares me. Get rid of it." You sound like Christians.

seebs

Men and women are compatible, but some men are not compatible with women.

Some dogs are not compatible with humans.

Nothing sticky about it. Dogs are not 100% engineered; they are an approximation, and in this case, the natural breeding beats our attempts to breed ideal companions, and makes for dangerous animals.

But it will! That particular dog, known to attack children, is guaranteed to stop; it reduces future attacks dramatically.

No. If the dog will attack human children, it *IS IN FACT DANGEROUS*. Full stop. It is a dangerous dog. Sometimes, we can live with that - but we can't do so by denying the reality.

godfry n. glad

Please show me where I've demonstrated my ignorance. Do you deny that some dogs have been genetically engineered to kill other animals...including large animals...including other humans?

Please explain your offensive remarks.

godfry

AquaVita

[mod cap on]

Alright folks..it's getting a bit heated in here. Let's all play nice ok?

Myself and my fellow mods will keep an eye on this thread and make sure it stays within acceptable forum guidelines.

Thanks for your attention.

Aqua-MD mod.

godfry n. glad

I'd still like to see three4jump's explanation for her/his egregiously insulting remarks.

godfry

AquaVita

Nothing wrong with that. Let's just all keep it within the rules, right?