Quote:
Originally Posted by limabean  Hi!! 
I understand what you're saying, and agree that in some cases separating the dog and child is best, but since the OP's DD (*not* the dog) is the one instigating the aggression in this case, you could just as easily say, "If the OP is really concerned about her mom's dog's safety and wants to spend time visiting in her house, she'd at least keep her DD away from the dog."
In my house, my dog has rights too, and if a guest kept hurting her, although I'd restrain the dog temporarily for her safety, I'd expect the guest to learn how to treat her respectfully rather than making a blanket rule that the dog would have to be segregated from the rest of us every time that family visited. |
My rule has always been that if I go to someone else's home, it is their home and their space and their animals (and children) have priority rights. If they bring the animal (or child) to my home, my family takes precedence. In other words, if my child/charge is not capable of understanding that the "other small thing" feels pain, it is MY responsibility to watch them like a hawk and aniticipate and prevent their actions.
Toddlers also are not ready to understand that the 8 week old baby, having tummy time is able to feel pain. The mom shouldn't have to hold or "crate" (playpen, anyone?) their baby who is enjoying their floor time in their own home! Instead, I have to watch my child to be sure they aren't going to hurt the baby.
On the other hand, while I would try to prevent the child from being injured in my home, if it seams to be an issue, I would provide a port-a-crib/off limits area, that the baby (or puppy) could be in
in my home. I would still, then, have the responsibility to make sure my child doesn't kick the "container" that the "other small thing" is in. ALthough, if my child is being aggressinve to an older visitor, I would provide my child with an area they could play and not hurt the other child.
Now, if the dog is being the aggressor and just wants the child out of their space, I would ask that the animal be kept apart/away from my child, just like I would keep my child apart/away if they were hurting someone in my home. If a child comes in to my home and tries to injure my child, they would not be allowed to play with them, even if that means mom has to hold them until the visit is over.
Bottom line, if my child is being the aggressor, they are not allowed to enjoy the freedom. If my child is the victim, i expect the agressor to be limited.
