s/o dogs and neighbors

[pinkeggs]

The girls across the street are my girls' best friends. They have a dog who is a total asshole. A Jack Russel, so it's not a like a huge dog, but ugh. The dog is so overprotective of the family that it's impossible to get close to the house if she's out. Last year she nipped at my DD2's nose, but overall we haven't had any big problems with her.

So today the neighbors came over with a second set of girls that they all play with. One of the second set had lost her front tooth, so I was like, "Aww, you lost a tooth!! Cool!" and they all kind of glanced at each other. Turns out the dog had knocked her tooth out and bit her lip when they were over playing a week or so ago. (To clarify, it wasn't the girls who own the dog who were attacked, it was a friend about the same age as my girls.)

I guess their mom wanted to immediately get rid of the dog, but the rest of the family talked her out of it. NOW I'm uncomfortable. I don't really want my girls over there, but it would break their hearts. So instead I asked where the dog was when they were over and I guess they've been putting her in a closet and stuff when people are there.

I wish they would just get rid of her. She also attacked my dog once when he had a treat. Ugh.

[meemz]

It sounds like the owners of the jack Russell should not even have a dog. Dogs are so trainable and need boundaries. Especially jack russells. It is a shame that the dog continues to hurt/bite others and will probably lose its life bc of this.

[TrickyBob]

Aggressive or not, you don't put a dog in a closet.

I would be uncomfortable too.

[lime]

How in the world do they think a closet is a good solution here? It's too bad they won't put the time and effort into training the dog.

I can absolutely understand you not sending your kids over there anymore.

[pinkeggs]

Yeah, I agree that the dog should not be in a closet. I might talk to the mom about the whole situation, because I really like her.

[demelza]

I would have the girls play at your place. I am guessing the situation won't get any better, another incident will probably happen. I don't know how comfortable I would feel giving them my two cents about their situation, seeing as you are probably just acquaintances with these people. I just wouldn't let my kids there with the dog around.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

FFS, dogs don't belong in closets/bathrooms/whatever. Crates? yes. Basements with a door? Sure, I suppose. And dogs that bite kids don't belong in families with kids unless you are going to put forth the effort to keep them separated. My kids wouldn't be going over there and I wouldn't hesitate to say why.

[RoxMonster]

Roxie is very protective of our house too (has never, ever nipped or bitten anybody but will bark/growl like crazy if someone walks by and stops in front of it). The thing is, we never have her just chillin' in the front yard because we know how she gets about our house. And we have also worked on a lot of her issues with a behaviorist. I would never in a million years lock her in a closet.

These people should not own a dog. Period. It's a shame that an issue that can be worked on with a trainer/behaviorist is not because they don't care to and they are instead shutting it in a closet. I would not feel comfortable sending my kids over there either, but I do feel badly for the dog. It's not its fault it has asshole owners.

[koopa17]

Jesus christ, a closet?

Yeah, I'd have a convo with the mom suggesting a crate or a baby gate or something you know...humane. Until there's a good solution, I'd just have them all play at your house. Sorry, what an uncomfortable situation.

[Jermys]

I wouldn't let my kid over there ever. My friend has a JRT who was abused terribly before they got him. He hates everyone but her, her husband and me. He has never met my children because none of us are willing to chance it. Once we brought Lucy over and she dominated him so hard, he started rolling over and showing her his belly every time she looked at him. We were all shocked.