New Rescue and Complaint From Parent

[Brooksie]

Over the weekend we rescued a pup from a shelter across the bridge. They said she was an "Amercian Bulldog/Dalmation Mix" but she definitely looks like a pitbull, which I have no problem with because I love the bully breeds and think they have an unjustly bad rep. All of my families have had more than a weeks notice that we were getting her and we even showed them pictures so they knew what to expect. She was with a foster family that had a 2 year old in the house and they said she was great with children, other dogs and all people. When we went to pick her up Sunday all of those things were very apparent. She was so sweet and gentle and just a wonderful dog.

When we got home, my current dog who does NOT like other male dogs and has trouble meeting other dogs in general, got a long wonderfully with her. We've taken her on a few walks and took her to the vet and she's been a peach with everyone that's approached her. She's only 1 year old and 45lbs and is very playful but is learning boundaries around the kids. Sometimes she wants them to play ball with her and doesn't quite understand that they don't know what to do. But moral of the story is that she doesn't have an ounce of aggression.

So far all the moms have met her and think she's adorable and very sweet, while a little excitable, because she's a puppy and they all seem fine with it. One of my infants (14 mo and my extreme crier) is scared of almost everything and was nervous of her at first but today is doing great with her. Well yesterday his dad picked him up which is very out of the norm. I've had him 6-7 months and dad has picked him maybe 3 times. I've never really liked dad as he just has a strange presence around him. He's very tall and not terribly personable. When he came to the back gate to pick up K both dogs ran up and were barking (my older dog is LOUD and barks at all the parents every time they pick up. Not something unusual) and he stated aloud that we had a new puppy (I guess dcm didn't mention it to him) and then he walked in the gate and took her ball from her and threw it for her to play fetch. No problems were apparent...

Well today at drop off DCM tells me that DCD told her that Irie (Ireland, our new pup) had growled at him at the gate and bared her teeth with her hair standing up on end.... I have NOT seen this behavior and I did NOT see this happen at pick up even though I was closely watching to see her reaction. I didn't even get the impression from him that he was off put. I took great offense to this. I feel like he's full of it and just trying to cause trouble because of what her breed looks like. My response to her was that of confusion and I said that I had not seen that or seen any of those behaviors from her. She kinda just shrugged like, 'well that's what he said to it must be true'. I sent her a text after she left saying that maybe it was his height that threw her off, but I could assure her that we haven't seen any of that behavior and neither did her foster parents, and all she responded with was "maybe."

My boyfriend says don't sweat it, and that it sounds like he's full of it but its really bothering me. I'm very anti-dog discrimination and an advocate of the bully breed and even with that it just bothers me that someone is trying to stir up trouble. What would you guys do in this situation? Just let it go? This dog is precious and sweet with the kids and everyone she meets. She's amazing. I don't like that someone is going around saying she's showing signs of aggression.

The only time I've heard her growl is if she's playing tug of war or wrestling and playing with Odie, our other dog. She's a puppy... puppy's do that. But this is getting to me. What do you guys think about this?

[Maria2013]

I would let it go but I would separate the dogs at time of pick up cause the more they bond with the kids, the more they resent parents picking them up...that I say from experience, I never thought my sweet little dog would go after anyone, let alone a person (dkd) he knew for years

[NeedaVaca]

I would keep your dogs away from the kids at all times. It only takes one time...you may say it's impossible now but you never know. One time is all it will take for you to lose all of your kids and I wouldn't want to take that risk.

[Maria2013]

I would keep your dogs away from the kids at all times. It only takes one time...you may say it's impossible now but you never know. One time is all it will take for you to lose all of your kids and I wouldn't want to take that risk.

that's what I've been doing since that incident, even though no real harm was done (just scare) I didn't want to take the chance

[blandino]

I had the exact same issue. Even down to the mostly absentee DCD coming to check out the dogs.
Last summer I rescued two dogs, one is a boxer/lab, the other is a mix but definitely has some Pitt bull, we have had a pitt/lab mix before, and I have no worries about the breed.

We rescued them on very little notice, and sent out a text letting everyone know over the weekend. They had no interaction with the kids, but until we had a section of the yard fenced off - they would be on tie-outs on the opposite end of the yard that the kids play in. Not ideal, but we had no real warning time that we were getting these dogs.

Well DCM comes in Monday, and doesn't say anything. DCD comes in Tuesday, who we have seen a handful of times in 2 years, and. He says he purposefully wore dark sunglasses and a hat, and said he went up to the dogs and did everything wrong petting the dogs, to see how they reacted. They did great of course. Then he questioned our judgement about taking in rescue dogs, since we don't know their history. And questioned our judgment as a whole about having the dogs.

In retrospect, I wouldn't have changed a thing, and let them leave or termed them. The whole going into the yard to provoke the dogs is ridiculous.

I sent both of them a text stating that our plans for the dog was to have a fence put up for a portion of the yard, but since we had only had them 3 days we hadn't had the time yet. I moved the dog's crates to the garage until we had the fence put up. I regret that because it was unnecessary, and the dogs were in a far corner of the yard that the kids aren't allowed to play in. I put my dogs Ina hot garage, unecessarily, and I regret folding to them.

[MyAngels]

I would let it go but I would separate the dogs at time of pick up cause the more they bond with the kids, the more they resent parents picking them up...that I say from experience, I never thought my sweet little dog would go after anyone, let alone a person (dkd) he knew for years

I agree with this. Back when I had dogs I had a mom once who showed up unexpectedly during the day and I didn't have a chance to put the dogs away. She claimed that my barker bared his teeth and nipped at her. Even though we never saw that behavior prior to that it was all I needed to ensure that my dogs were completely separated during drop off and pick up times, plus away from the doors at all times.

Have you checked with your insurance to see if there are any exclusions as far as the types of breeds that you have? I read somewhere once that some insurance companies won't cover claims that arise from incidents with certain breeds. I don't have first hand knowledge, but you might take a look at your policy just to be sure.

[Brooksie]

I agree with this. Back when I had dogs I had a mom once who showed up unexpectedly during the day and I didn't have a chance to put the dogs away. She claimed that my barker bared his teeth and nipped at her. Even though we never saw that behavior prior to that it was all I needed to ensure that my dogs were completely separated during drop off and pick up times, plus away from the doors at all times.

Have you checked with your insurance to see if there are any exclusions as far as the types of breeds that you have? I read somewhere once that some insurance companies won't cover claims that arise from incidents with certain breeds. I don't have first hand knowledge, but you might take a look at your policy just to be sure.

The record says that she is an American Bulldog/Dalmation Mix. NOT a pit bull. There is no reason they wouldn't be able to cover her because of what she 'looks' like. My other dog is a Shar-pei/lab mix and most everyone thinks he is a pit but definitely isnt.

I don't ever plan on separating my dogs from the kids all day because I have NO problems with the dogs and the kids. My old dog Odie is a notorious barker and barks at all the parents every time, but if they stay 2-3 minutes they see how amazing he is and they all love him. This new girl is no different. Once all the parents leave she chills right down. They are both lying on the carpet on the other side of the play room sunning while the kids are playing with various things. I have never separated Odie from the dcks and I am not going to start now because of this new girl. That would break his heart. These kids are his life and the new girl is doing wonderfully too. If she starts getting excitable I just put her outside to run off the energy and comes back in and lies down.

I will probably start putting the dogs out during drop off and pick up times as a precaution but I'm not going to keep my dogs out of the playroom.

[Brooksie]

I had the exact same issue. Even down to the mostly absentee DCD coming to check out the dogs.
Last summer I rescued two dogs, one is a boxer/lab, the other is a mix but definitely has some Pitt bull, we have had a pitt/lab mix before, and I have no worries about the breed.

We rescued them on very little notice, and sent out a text letting everyone know over the weekend. They had no interaction with the kids, but until we had a section of the yard fenced off - they would be on tie-outs on the opposite end of the yard that the kids play in. Not ideal, but we had no real warning time that we were getting these dogs.

Well DCM comes in Monday, and doesn't say anything. DCD comes in Tuesday, who we have seen a handful of times in 2 years, and. He says he purposefully wore dark sunglasses and a hat, and said he went up to the dogs and did everything wrong petting the dogs, to see how they reacted. They did great of course. Then he questioned our judgement about taking in rescue dogs, since we don't know their history. And questioned our judgment as a whole about having the dogs.

In retrospect, I wouldn't have changed a thing, and let them leave or termed them. The whole going into the yard to provoke the dogs is ridiculous.

I sent both of them a text stating that our plans for the dog was to have a fence put up for a portion of the yard, but since we had only had them 3 days we hadn't had the time yet. I moved the dog's crates to the garage until we had the fence put up. I regret that because it was unnecessary, and the dogs were in a far corner of the yard that the kids aren't allowed to play in. I put my dogs Ina hot garage, unecessarily, and I regret folding to them.

I already have a separate fenced area in our yard for the dogs to use for 'potty' breaks. But I let them out in the yard to run when we go out with the kids. The fenced area isn't big enough for them to run around, just go pee or poo, and I treat my dogs like family. They need that time to get out in the yard just as much as the kids do.

[MyAngels]

The record says that she is an American Bulldog/Dalmation Mix. NOT a pit bull. There is no reason they wouldn't be able to cover her because of what she 'looks' like. My other dog is a Shar-pei/lab mix and most everyone thinks he is a pit but definitely isnt.

I don't ever plan on separating my dogs from the kids all day because I have NO problems with the dogs and the kids. My old dog Odie is a notorious barker and barks at all the parents every time, but if they stay 2-3 minutes they see how amazing he is and they all love him. This new girl is no different. Once all the parents leave she chills right down. They are both lying on the carpet on the other side of the play room sunning while the kids are playing with various things. I have never separated Odie from the dcks and I am not going to start now because of this new girl. That would break his heart. These kids are his life and the new girl is doing wonderfully too. If she starts getting excitable I just put her outside to run off the energy and comes back in and lies down.

I will probably start putting the dogs out during drop off and pick up times as a precaution but I'm not going to keep my dogs out of the playroom.

I wasn't suggesting that you separate the dogs from the kids. I never did that. I only made sure the dogs weren't put in a position to bark when parents were picking up and dropping off or when anyone came to the door. Other than that my dogs had free roam of our home.

I don't know anything at all about the breeds you have, the insurance thing was just a suggestion that came to mind, no offense intended.

[blandino]

I already have a separate fenced area in our yard for the dogs to use for 'potty' breaks. But I let them out in the yard to run when we go out with the kids. The fenced area isn't big enough for them to run around, just go pee or poo, and I treat my dogs like family. They need that time to get out in the yard just as much as the kids do.

Absolutely agree !!! Our dogs go in the fenced portion while the kids go out to play, and are free the rest of the day.

I definitely regret folding to this families complaint/demands.

[Brooksie]

I wasn't suggesting that you separate the dogs from the kids. I never did that. I only made sure the dogs weren't put in a position to bark when parents were picking up and dropping off or when anyone came to the door. Other than that my dogs had free roam of our home.

I don't know anything at all about the breeds you have, the insurance thing was just a suggestion that came to mind, no offense intended.

No offense taken! The response that I should separate the dogs at all times was from a different pp. I think I will start putting them outside during pick up or drop offs. Thanks for the input!

[daycare]

Not to be rude but you can't control what those dogs MIGHT do.

I have had many bad experiences with dogs. Most of the owners would say, oh don't worry they don't bite. Guess what, I got bit. The owners of the dog are in complete shock.

I know that the dogs smell my fear and they are bothered by it. I have been bitten by golden retrievers, labs, chow, ****zu, and mixed dogs.

I won't go into detail of my story, but my sisters face and my leg will never be the same.

If I were you, I would NOT let the dogs around the kids. Just my advice.
You never know.

[Blackcat31]

This is a common issue for providers who have or get a dog.

Some families will be okay with it and some won't. Nothing wrong with either choice.

IMHO, it really doesn't matter what you did or didn't witness at pick up. What matters is if the parents feel comfortable leaving their child in your care while your dog is present. If they aren't ok with it, that is their choice.

Just like it was YOUR choice to get a dog....kwim?

I have an X-large breed dog and have heard a myriad of comments and stereotypes relating to my dog's breed. I have cats that are an integral part of my family and understand a family's need to have/want pets. I get it.

However, as a parent I personally would never enroll my child in a daycare that had a dog. I just wouldn't.

OP~ I think you need to set some boundaries for the safety of ALL the children (and parents) enrolled about whether or not your dog will or won't be intermingled with your daycare kids or if it will be kenneled or crated during business hours.

I also think you should NEVER use the argument that this dog has never been aggressive or any argument similar as she IS still a dog and dogs should NEVER be blindly trusted to not be aggressive or display similar behaviors....especially around children....who can be equally as unpredictable. kwim?

Good luck and I hope you don't lose a family because of this but either way, I would prepare for it.

[Brooksie]

Not to be rude but you can't control what those dogs MIGHT do.

I have had many bad experiences with dogs. Most of the owners would say, oh don't worry they don't bite. Guess what, I got bit. The owners of the dog are in complete shock.

I know that the dogs smell my fear and they are bothered by it. I have been bitten by golden retrievers, labs, chow, ****zu, and mixed dogs.

I won't go into detail of my story, but my sisters face and my leg will never be the same.

If I were you, I would NOT let the dogs around the kids. Just my advice.
You never know.

Wow, I'm really sorry you've had those experiences. That's really unnatural. I also don't mean to be rude but with that track record (I totally understand your fear of dogs after those experiences) but its got to be a response to your body language and yes your fear. I've never known any one to be bit by so many dogs. That being said I tell everyone on the phone interview that I have dogs and if someone does not like dogs, is afraid of dogs, or allergic I automatically tell them this is not the FCC for them. My dog(s) are VERY well socialized and are given a lot of varying experiences to get them used to people, things and animals. The only time you have a vicious dog is because that's how they were trained or neglected. People that don't actively work with their dogs are asking for issues. I am not that person.

[Leigh]

I would keep your dogs away from the kids at all times. It only takes one time...you may say it's impossible now but you never know. One time is all it will take for you to lose all of your kids and I wouldn't want to take that risk.

NOTHING is impossible, and ANY dog of ANY breed could bite a child. Nearly all dog bites in children are provoked by the child (often inadvertently). My dogs have no contact with my daycare kids (other than walking past them on their way outdoors). They're great with kids, but I would not be able to monitor every kid's interaction with each dog, and unless there is DIRECT supervision, I don't feel preschoolers are safe around any dog.

It's entirely possible that what the father claimed is true. Just like with human children, dogs go through phases of fear, testing boundaries, etc. A dog in a new home, especially, may have been a little spooked by a large stranger approaching.

Breed doesn't matter here at all. I would separate the kids and dogs.