Dog experts, I need your help! Best advice please?

My husband and I have two children. The youngest, who is 6, is autistic and for the most part non-verbal. We recently adopted a 1 year old dog, who is 1/2 Lab, 1/2 German Shepherd. He's a beautiful dog, seemed so sweet and intelligent, but we have a big problem. In the past few days, he has tried to bite my youngest son. My son is a very sweet child who is gentle with animals, and did nothing to provoke the behavior. The dog is an angel with me, my husband, and my older son, but singles out my youngest when he gets too close. I'm frankly scared, and right now the dog is outside and I'm not bringing him back in except during the day while the kids are at school. Should I try to find him a good home where there are no small children? I love the dog, but he is VERY strong, and if he were to attack my child or a neighbor's child, I'm not sure I would be able to get him pulled off in time. So far it's only been growling and snapping, next time I'm afraid it could be an all-out attack.Dog experts, I need your help! Best advice please?
Autistic children have a hard time with pets. Dogs are social animals, they have a ';pack order'; and everyone behaves with-in that order, or they are disicplened. Autism is a lack of social skills. Your son doesn't understand the dogs non-verbal communication, and, he is giving off all the wrong ';signals'; to the dog. Autism shouldn't keep your son from having a pet, even a dog, but I would contact someone who really understands dog behavior, and explain your situation. (a good breeder, some shelter workers, or,your best bet, a behaviorist) Some breeds are going to be better suited to your son than others. German Shepherds are a dominate breed, that is why they excell at protection work. Rotts should be avoided, along with terriers, chows and shar pies. Some breeds that should be good are collies(smooth or rough), golden retrievers, pugs, Australian Shepherds, %26amp; Keeshond.





I hate to say this, but you need to rehome your dog. I think it is great that you turned to rescue to get a dog, and you still can, just be sure whoever you work with understands your son.Dog experts, I need your help! Best advice please?
I am sorry to hear that you are in theis situation, it is hard and painful for the whole family. Some dogs just do not do well with small children, I have had two ocassions where I have delt with this. One was a rotwieler/lab mix, it was my dog, she was great with my family but posed great risk to other children. I tried to put her into several homes, but they all returned her to me because of the reaction she had with their children. She was eventually put to sleep because I could not even get an animal shelter that could find suitable arrangements for her. The other involved a neighbors german shepard, the dog had been growling and snapping at children in the neighborhood, well, one day while my 6 year old son was out playing this dog came acroos the yard at him and bit his sweat shirt at the neck and kept hold and pulled him to the ground, my son balled himself up and was crying while dog shook him. It took 2 people to drag that dog away from my son. He was not injured, he was just very upset by the incident. The owners of that dog kept the dog, and it continues to growl at even their own child...It is a tragedy waiting to happen. My children are no longer allowed to play near that house, and it is sad because their child has less children to play with and none of the kids in the neighborhood are allowed over there. Keep in mind, besides the devestaion of the dog biting a child, you can lose your home if the dog bites someone. It would be in your familys and the dogs best intrest to find the dog a home with no children. Good Luck.
Please get rid of him. That mean I know but what if he bites your face and draws blood. He will never let up. Get a boxer or pup. best of luck.
I'd find a new home for the dog. I'm actually shocked that the dog is just doing this to one of the children though. Both breeds are very calm dogs, good with children.
If I was in your position I would find a new home for the dog. As much as you love it, I am sure you love your son more. It sounds like you already know that this is the right thing to do. I'm sorry that you have to make such a difficult decision.
This is a very tough situation! It could be the case that the dog sees your youngest son as an equal or even an inferior, and not as above him on the totem pole (the way he views the rest of the family). So your son could do nothing to provoke him and still bring on biting. I would say, if you have the time and money (and energy) to invest in training the dog, possibly with a behavioral specialist, there is hope. You must also involve your son -- perhaps (with supervision) get your son to be the one who doles out the food for your dog, who participates in the training sessions.





But, given the constraints you named and the youth of your son, this may not be possible. I'm a fervent dog lover and I believe in trying all avenues before giving up a dog, but the safety of your family, and your well-being, must come first. If you feel doubtful that you can safely keep this dog, then find another home for him. :(
yea i think jenn_a answered very well. there are alot of dogs that are kind of confused in a way by autistic children and adults. and that doesnt make the dog a bad dog, just a miscomunication. i have a terrier who is a wonderful sweet loyal dog and one time an autistic person came up to her and started talking alittle to loud to tori(my dog)and she growled at her. i was very dissapointed but i had to realize that even some people cant understand an autistic person much less some dogs. i hope your son doesnt think that he did anything wrong or the dog 'hates' him,that is a sad situation, i've seen it. but there are certain dogs out there that will know how to handle and confront your son. good luck :) but if you decide to find the dog another home, please be sure to find a very good home that will treat him as you guys would have been able too. and in my opinion, adoption and rescues are the best way to go.
I don't know if you knoe dog like to be the alhap some if they think someone or dog is weak they will pick them off. I am sorry to say if your don't feel comfortable with the dog you should give rid of him. The dog could become mean. Not because the dog wants to it is just what they do in the wild.
Find a new home for the dog. Let any potential owner know about the dog's behavior. The dog might not be good for small children, but make a great companion dog for an adult.
Place the dog in another home. For the dog's sake and your son's sake.


If the dog bit your son and did a lot of damage the dog would be villainized.


Just find him a good home.
Don't get rid of him...talk to your vet..a long time ago afriend of mine got this wonderful dog from a shelter..he was good for both of the adults that were in the home..plus he was good for the 10 yr old...but for some reason he was a little nasty to the 1 yr old...come to find out the smell of baby food that was inprinted on the baby made the dog act different..come to find out the owners before them use to throw baby food at the dog..it was a reminder of abuse..just talk to your vet first
you have an EXTREMELY problematic dog on your hands. It is important to look at the history of the dog when you adopt. Was the dog abused by a previous owner? If not, I am sorry to say it, but you have to get rid of the animal.