Well, I have a full house...a husband, a 12 year-old son, 3 large breed dogs, and 3 cats. My youngest dog (Puppy), who is 4 years old, has been known to be a tad defensive and aggressive under certain circumstances. She's a mixed breed...she's a chow-chow/Rottweiler/black lab mix. The chow-chow in her makes her loyal to basically one person in the home, which is my husband...she will only listen to HIM, and is basically very aloof with my son and myself. When my husband was hospitalized earlier this year, my son and I had a rough time with Puppy...she wouldn't come back inside when we let her out, and would growl and nip at us when we'd approach her. She has bit my son quite badly on the arm, and has nipped at me more than once...she has food aggression, and is very possessive with her food dish, and HER toys. My hubby is the only person that can walk her successfully.
All that being said, I love her to death, and she's warmed up to me somewhat, although still favors attention from hubby. I wouldn't classify her as a dangerous or aggressive animal...she's basically a diva. I'm not sure I would be comfortable with Puppy around an infant, however. I trust her with my cats, although Ripley (my female torti) HATES her, and growls and hisses, and will whip out the claws if Puppy gets too brave with her. Ripley clearly has dominance over Puppy, which is rather humorous, considering Ripley is 10 lbs, and Puppy is about 75 lbs. All Ripley has to do is look at Puppy the wrong way, and Puppy heads the other way!!!
I was nervous when I brought home baby kitten Captain Steuben last April...it was a very slow and heavily supervised introduction process between he and Puppy. Now that Steuben is 9 months old, and basically a big boy, Puppy and Steuben get along great.
I would rehome Puppy before I ever had her put down for aggression. These behaviors can definitely be eliminated or controlled with the right HUMAN behaviors, such as training, reinforcement, environmental controls, and animal therapy.
All that being said, I love her to death, and she's warmed up to me somewhat, although still favors attention from hubby. I wouldn't classify her as a dangerous or aggressive animal...she's basically a diva. I'm not sure I would be comfortable with Puppy around an infant, however. I trust her with my cats, although Ripley (my female torti) HATES her, and growls and hisses, and will whip out the claws if Puppy gets too brave with her. Ripley clearly has dominance over Puppy, which is rather humorous, considering Ripley is 10 lbs, and Puppy is about 75 lbs. All Ripley has to do is look at Puppy the wrong way, and Puppy heads the other way!!!
I would rehome Puppy before I ever had her put down for aggression. These behaviors can definitely be eliminated or controlled with the right HUMAN behaviors, such as training, reinforcement, environmental controls, and animal therapy.