MoJo

33881 Views 192 Replies 49 Participants Last post by Tia, Nov 7, 2006

nanniesrock

Discussion Starter · Oct 19, 2006

For those of you who missed my post earlier...

there was an incident this morning between MoJo & Hailey. She was trying to wake me up, and he growled & snapped at her, broke the skin on her cheek (not serious). I scolded him & put him outside for the day.

For those of you who don't remember, he had issues with his previous owner, Holly, when the other dogs were seeking attention, he would growl/snarl. This is exactly what he's been doing with me. He growls/snarls at Harley, the cats & Hailey when he's sleeping near me & they approach. I don't think she woke him up & startled him, I think he was "guarding a resource" ie me.

I've been thinking all day about what to do....still undecided. I talked to Shawn & he's very understanding & supportive of what ever I decide. I just can't seem to decide. I honestly think I might be able to work him through this, but I'm not sure he should be in a home with young children. He is my responsibility, but so is my daughters safety. I DO NOT think he would viciously attack anyone, but still.....

I contacted an area trainer whose opinion I trust, and after I gave her all the facts, she felt it was putting my daughter at risk to keep him. **She never did meet him, mind you. This is over the phone**
I know that for now, he's going to be outside a lot more.

I was half afraid to post this, I do not want a flame war started here. But as a member of this forum, I can't imagine getting through this without thoughts and advice from the people I trust.

1 - 20 of 193 Posts

Cinder

· #2 · Oct 19, 2006

Hi there.

Very hard, and I understand you love your dog, but it sounds like your dog will be very vicious against your own child.

I would place the dog with someone else.

It sounds very serious.

nanniesrock

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 19, 2006

No, he's not vicious. That was exactly what I knew would happen, people assuming the worst. This was a very minor incident, MoJo thinking he's higher in the pack than Hailey. This is Hailey's "wound"...

not exactly life threatening.

MoJo will not end up a statistic. I need to do what's best for everyone involved....Hailey, MoJo, everybody. I just don't know yet what that is.

Thanks for your opinion.

See less See more

Cinder

· #4 · Oct 19, 2006

Nonono, not saying he's vicious, but saying he acted in a highly aggressive/vicious manner towards your own child.

I'm the last one to judge, I just want whatever is best for you/your dog/your children. Good luck.

LegendsMami

· #5 · Oct 19, 2006

I think you should take him to a trainer that has experience with this. And talk to him/her about what ways you could make MoJo understand that Hailey is his leader and she does as she pleases. Maybe they might even have some excercises as to what you guys could do. I hope things get better asap!

nanniesrock

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 19, 2006

Yeah, it's kind of hard to face the truth

This just really sucks. I love him, but I'd never forgive myself if something worse happens. I'm very confused, and conflicted.

yungster

· #7 · Oct 19, 2006

No it wasn't serious THIS TIME, but I know you can't wait to see if there's a "next time." I'm sure he's a great dog, but I think he belongs in a home without children.

OrsonDogge

· #8 · Oct 20, 2006

yeah, i would put it out there that he is looking for a new non-children home. Sounds to me like he thinks he's the alpha around the house and
he's claimed you as his. So of course he will get aggressive around
anyone or thing that approches you.
You and your daughter,in the meantime, need to show him your both the boss. Just my two cents! :wink: Now how to go about that, i dont know :?
Good luck, not an easy decision.

debs

· #9 · Oct 20, 2006

Tough decision but in my opinion my child is top and if Mojo has a problem with it then he needs to be in a home with no children and even a home with one owner. Isn't he the deaf dog? This also makes it hard to control and punish him. Good luck and whatever you do it is your choice. You are living with the problem and NO ONE should tell you you did the wrong thing.

nanniesrock

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 20, 2006

My husband & I were just talking about it, and MoJo's just going to be spending more time outside for right now. He has everything he needs to be comfortable, but he's not going to be inside much right now. I bring the dogs for a really good long walk at night, so I don't feel bad that he's going to be "neglected". I don't want to do anything rash, but if a more suitable home popped up, I would certainly have to consider it. I guess that's the best we can do for now.

Jemhidiahssj4

· #11 · Oct 20, 2006

So he is agressive towards other animals and your daughter, not good. I rescued a APBT from a bad situation when he was 7 months old. He was food,animal,and even human aggressive. He was ok other than that lol. one night I was reaching for my beer on the table and he bit down on my hand and started shaking it like a rag doll before I knew what was going on. Needless to say he was put down.

angie7349

· #12 · Oct 20, 2006

That is a tough call, you are dealing with a dog that can not hear. I have never had one but I would guess that they startle much easier then dogs that can hear. I am on team whatever it takes for your child's safety!!! I am not arguing in anyway but I was curous how do you have your daughter approach him? I know that loud noises do not work but is it possible to have stomp into a room that he is in to alert him that someone is coming? (I am meaning so the ground shakes) Or can you arm her with a water bottle to spray (A very small amount) to alert him? I don't know just throwing out ideas. I am sure that you have tried all of this as I can tell you are a good furbaby Mom and real baby Mom but I was just tossong around options............Good luck in whatever you decide

Patch

· #13 · Oct 20, 2006

Does anyone else think that there might be a possibility this dog could RESENT being outside while the others are inside?

IMO perhaps that could make him prone to more bad behaviour? If he was outside since day one, then I don't think there could be a problem... but he might get jealous of the others now that he's being excluded??

I really don't know what you can do dear? it's a tough one.

Jemhidiahssj4

· #14 · Oct 20, 2006

^^^^
this coming from somebody who cant even control a puppy LMAO. Its not a hard decision this dog needs to be in a home with no children or other animals. Even better if it were a single owner. its been agg towards other animals in its previous home and now it bit a little girl in the face.

PeterC

· #15 · Oct 20, 2006

wow........did someone say "i am sure he is a great dog

hmmmm. a couple of inches to the top and she would have LOST an eye.

Sooooo what is the difference? Luck?

Listen. ANY DOG. ABSOLUTELY ANY DOG THAT WILL BITE A KID NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDS TO BE PUT DOWN! SIMPLE.

The trainer on the phone is logical.

CALL other trainer. They will tell you the same thing.
CALL AB breeders. First off, they all will be SHOCKED out of their pants and I will not comment on what 100% of them would say. It will not be nice.

What does it take?

RESENTMENT??????? Who cares if the dog has resentment. It is a freaking DOGGGGG!

You know what? I think you are the luckiest person in the world. YOu did not loose your daughter's eye. So, you think your luck will hold???? I am glad you are a gambling woman.
AND if you send this dog to another foster home, even though many have told you what they feel, and it DOES BITE ANOTHER KID. SHAME ON YOU!
\
IT IS A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY.

and to the comment of you thinking the dog is protecting you..................As a trainer of ABs, that is the most ridiculous stuff I have EVER read. If a dog thinks a child is a threat to the owner, that is EVEN MORE OF A REASON, ACTUALLY, IT IS A STRONG REASON to put the dog down. That is serious mental problem in an AB. DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR THE DOG AND ITS DEEDS.

See less See more

Jemhidiahssj4

· #16 · Oct 20, 2006

personally I would not be here having this conversation. It would be more like My dog bit my kid this morning, nevermind WHAT DOG?

Puregrover

· #17 · Oct 20, 2006

we dont sell puppies to familes withchildren under 7 or 8 just for this reason hope u can figuer something out

Patch

· #18 · Oct 20, 2006

Re: wow........did someone say "i am sure he is a great

PeterC said:
hmmmm. a couple of inches to the top and she would have LOST an eye.

Sooooo what is the difference? Luck?

Listen. ANY DOG. ABSOLUTELY ANY DOG THAT WILL BITE A KID NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDS TO BE PUT DOWN! SIMPLE.

The trainer on the phone is logical.

CALL other trainer. They will tell you the same thing.
CALL AB breeders. First off, they all will be SHOCKED out of their pants and I will not comment on what 100% of them would say. It will not be nice.

What does it take?

RESENTMENT??????? Who cares if the dog has resentment. It is a freaking DOGGGGG!

You know what? I think you are the luckiest person in the world. YOu did not loose your daughter's eye. So, you think your luck will hold???? I am glad you are a gambling woman.
AND if you send this dog to another foster home, even though many have told you what they feel, and it DOES BITE ANOTHER KID. SHAME ON YOU!
\
IT IS A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY.

and to the comment of you thinking the dog is protecting you..................As a trainer of ABs, that is the most ridiculous stuff I have EVER read. If a dog thinks a child is a threat to the owner, that is EVEN MORE OF A REASON, ACTUALLY, IT IS A STRONG REASON to put the dog down. That is serious mental problem in an AB. DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR THE DOG AND ITS DEEDS.

The only reason i raised the issue of 'resentment' is because resentment can sometimes lead to more aggressiveness. so i don't think putting him outside will fix the problem. it might lead to worse things!

i think another home is what is needed. sad, but true.

nanniesrock

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 20, 2006

Re: wow........did someone say "i am sure he is a great

PeterC said:
hmmmm. a couple of inches to the top and she would have LOST an eye.

Sooooo what is the difference? Luck?

Listen. ANY DOG. ABSOLUTELY ANY DOG THAT WILL BITE A KID NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDS TO BE PUT DOWN! SIMPLE.

The trainer on the phone is logical.

CALL other trainer. They will tell you the same thing.
CALL AB breeders. First off, they all will be SHOCKED out of their pants and I will not comment on what 100% of them would say. It will not be nice.

What does it take?

RESENTMENT??????? Who cares if the dog has resentment. It is a freaking DOGGGGG!

You know what? I think you are the luckiest person in the world. YOu did not loose your daughter's eye. So, you think your luck will hold???? I am glad you are a gambling woman.
AND if you send this dog to another foster home, even though many have told you what they feel, and it DOES BITE ANOTHER KID. SHAME ON YOU!
\
IT IS A MATTER OF RESPONSIBILITY.

and to the comment of you thinking the dog is protecting you..................As a trainer of ABs, that is the most ridiculous stuff I have EVER read. If a dog thinks a child is a threat to the owner, that is EVEN MORE OF A REASON, ACTUALLY, IT IS A STRONG REASON to put the dog down. That is serious mental problem in an AB. DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR THE DOG AND ITS DEEDS.

Geez, Peter, even knowing you & the thick skin required to read your posts, you still made me cry.
I'm NOT a gambling woman. Of course I don't want anything (else) to happen to my daughter. I was trying to buy some time while I figured this out. I don't mean to sound like I'm making excuses for MoJo, although I'm sure that's exactly what it sounds like.

I know similiar topics have been debated until they turn ugly, often times the owner wants to bury their head in the sand & pretend everything's great, which obviously irritates the rational people trying to help. I'm not one of those owners.

Peter, I know most of the reasons who you would cull him. On the other hand, he is fixed, there isn't the possibility of him procreating. I would never send him to a foster, I would try to place him myself, in a home with no children, and preferably someone with experience. Remind me why that's such a bad idea (besides that I'd be passing the problem on to someone else)

See less See more

Tinkerbell

· #20 · Oct 20, 2006

Jemhidiahssj4 said:
^^^^
this coming from somebody who cant even control a puppy LMAO.

First off, this comment was completely uncalled for. It has nothing to do with this topic. Keep to the point of things please. And remeber, personal attacks are against the rules of this forum.

Secondly, I have to agree with the majority here. Mojo has no place being in a home with small children. I had a foster once who also felt he had to "protect" me from my children. He never bit anyone, but he showed signs that it was a possibility (posturing, growling, etc). He was removed from my home immediatly. Had it been my call to make, he would have been euthed (he was just AWFUL once he got settled in and comfortable) , but since he was a rescue, it wasn't up to me.

I think you and Shawn need to talk and figure something out - NOW!

1 - 20 of 193 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.