I think rehoming River is the fairest thing to do, living in a garage is not ideal, and you have no trust in her, and I don't think you are able to work through the issue, so hope she finds a more suitable home very quickly.

I still say high prey drive dog, does not mean it will attack the baby though, my GSD was very interested when my first child was born, not in a prey way, she would often be close to her, checking on her, and do as you said if she thought I wasn't watching being more alert around her. She was being protective and checking everything was alright.

This is just a suggestion but how about muzzling her when she is near the baby...?

Far from ideal, I know... But presuming you'd rather do almost anything than lose your lovely dog, it's just an idea



When all is said and done, I think you have to go with your gut feeling. Doesn't actually matter what anyone else has said - not on here, not the vet, not the behaviourist. You feel uneasy and you have to trust your intuition because after all, you know your dog - we don't

Really sad situation and I wish you all the best. River is gorgeous and clearly you are trying desperately to do your best for her

Hi - I may have a NID from the same lines as yours. He does have a strong prey drive, or at least a chase drive as he has never had the chance to catch anything, and cannot go offlead because of this, mainly for his own safety. He did catch a baby wood pigeon in the garden once that couldn't fly and he ran round the garden with it in his mouth like it was a new toy. He dropped it and there wasn't a mark on it and it lived to tell the tale. He had just carried it in his mouth.
He is very good with children, though we have to be a little careful as he can get overexcited by them and jump up. He has not had a lot of exposure to babies, but I would be more worried about him trying to play with them too roughly than being aggressive, as he loves people.
I don't think you can trust any dog unsupervised with children. It is a hard decision for you, but I don't believe vets have a clue about behaviour. Perhaps you could get a second opinion from another reputable and registered pet behaviourist? I guess it is also whether you want to or are able to cope with the dog and baby at the same time.

I was saddened to read River's story.... not to critise Dan in any way at all. You are an owner desparate to do the right thing but with the trust gone it is a difficult road to travel.
I have rescue dogs with a bite or kill record - towards small furrries, people or other dogs - and they live in my home with birds, chinchillas, hamsters and other small furries. It is not impossible to get over this prey drive/ instinct and I have found that although their behaviour appears more alert around children (I have 4 of those too) rules and boundaries of behaviour make all the difference.
Breed makes no difference to this behaviour as you can have 2 dogs from the same litter and they will have differing levels of this type of behaviour.
The dogs I have with bite or kill histories still work with me socialising clients dogs and take an active role in all aspects of life with no real problems. They have learnt self control
The ideal for River would be a similar placement with soneone who would be able to spend the time instilling this kind of self control in her.
Dan, Please contact me if you want to discuss this in more detail. Good luck

Oh dear. I am so sorry I can't help you.

I am looking to consider an Inuit (who could resist?) but it may well be left a couple of hours which she wouldn't be happy about and we can't have her howling due to neighbours. Unfortunately we don't have room currently for two dogs either, so we can't get another dog to be company for her.

I wish you all the best, and have no doubt the right owner will come along.
However, as others have said - you shouldn't leave a baby or child alone with a dog really (until old enough to understand dogs) so is it that huge a problem? As you said she's fine as long as you are there?
Of course there's other factors I am sure, and I am sure you haven't thought about this lightly, just would be a shame to part with a companion.

Goodluck!

Sadly not at all unique.. both mine HATE small children. This is because never having small children in the family they were never socialised around them. My bitch will try to run away.. but my dog reacts the same way as around dogs... not good.

There is a post from sodapyp on another thread... wanting to adopt an Inuit.. maybe they should get together and talk.
http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=141218&page=8

I wouldn't chalk this up as a breed trait then, just lack of socialisation/experience with children

defo agree..also uve forgotten they are not a breed

Hello, bit of an update, we have continued with training however the situation does not look to be improving, therefore we are still looking to rehome her should a suitable home become available.
We realise this is incredibly unlikely given the amount of dogs requiring rehoming, but we feel we must persevere with it.
Thanks

You're doing your best and nobody can do more than that

Hopefully someone on this site will see your update today and either be looking for a dog themselves or know someone who is and who could offer a suitable forever home

Best of luck with it