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Grandparents with potentially dangerous dogs
Warning: LONG. This is an issue that I've been dealing with for a long time that I need objective advice about:
My parents own 2 dobermans, both adopted from a rescue. One of them has displayed signs of aggression towards humans... charges, growls but hasn't actually bitten (that we know of). They've had him for about 5 yrs. The other has displayed aggression only towards other dogs (growl when they come near her on the couch). They've only had her for 2 years.
I've grown up with this breed of dog... we've owned them since I was 15. My parents have no rules for their dogs... they lounge on the couch, cruise the counters for food, eat off of ppl's plates. When we are over, I've made it very clear that the dogs make me uncomfortable and they're usually OK about penning the one that has been aggressive towards humans but won't do anything about the other one and they make it clear that they think I'm being ridiculous. They live with my brother and his GF who have a 1 yr old daughter. She constantly posts pics and videos on FB of the little girl feeding these dogs from the table, being outside with them while they run around and bark wildly, etc. My parents feel like: see, nothing's ever happened, as if this means nothing would happen. My niece JUST started walking as well.
I feel extremely uncomfortable with the situation and have made my feelings pretty clear, but they can't or won't see my point of view. I have 2 dogs too (a pug and a beagle) so they think I'm being a hypocrite since I let my dogs be around the kids all the time, but they have very clear rules. They are caged when we eat, they are disciplined when they bark, etc. Of course we have rules for my son about how he treats them as well, but he's 2 and doesn't always listen.
It's really affected my relationship with my parents and their relationship with their grandsons. In every other way, they are great wonderful with my kids. THey don't live far away and I'd love to use them as babysitters more. I know it hurts their feelings that I don't but I just can't relax about this situation. Am I being unfair? I want to go away for a night for my bday in July with just my husband but I'm already freaking out about the prospect of leaving the kids with them. I also have a wedding in September (nearer to their house so the kids would stay there) and I'm so afraid that the moment I leave it'll be the normal free for all with the dogs and I'm terrified that my son will get a bite. I just don't know what to do. Advice?
Why do they have to make it smell so good if you can't eat it??
Re: Grandparents with potentially dangerous dogs
1) I think you are very right to be concerned. Your parents are doing themselves and the dogs a huge disservice by not training the dogs and by not addressing their aggression issues by enlisting the help of a dog behaviorist. They are setting everyone
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
You are 100% in the right here. It is crazy for your parents to compare a doberman to a beagle or pug. The jaw capacity, tendency towards aggression, and sheer size of a doberman make the two incomparable. A beagle could nip your sons finger, a doberma
Sorry for the long post and the "tough love" approach.
I think you're being rather on the paranoid side and unfair towards your parents and their dogs. It's fair of you to be concerned for your kid's safety and whatnot, but you aren't even
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6