So he holds it while youre out... that sounds trained to me. Do you take him straight outside when you get home? ie: as soon as you open the door?
It sounds like he is doing his best to go outside to do his business but maybe youre not quick enough getting him to a suitable place?

Im not surprised he bit you if youre rubbing his nose in his own faeces. Its cruel... Im not a violent person but I would sure as hell bite if someone did that to me.

Its probably for the best he is rehomed, but he doesnt sound as bad as you say.
I have 2 rescue dogs, both had supposed 'training issues' but so far (6 and 2 years down the road) I cant find a damn thing wrong with either of them - however one of the old owners got a new dog and Im hearing they're having 'training issues' with that too.

My god, you rubbed a dogs face in his own faeces because he couldnt hold it long enough. That makes me feel physically sick. That poor dog.

No wonder he bloody bit you! I wonder how many hours you are leaving him a day before letting him out to do his business?

I agree with Kitty. Rubbing the dogs face in it is a horrid thing to do
If he is holding it ok when you are out surely he is trained???!!

I think from what I read of her first post, she said the dog holds it deliberately and then when the dog comes *in* the house, the dog poos and pees. So this would indicate the dog had been taken out and didn't go while outside, and waited to do his business once inside, if I'm reading that correctly?

I don't agree with rubbing the dog's nose in its waste either, but I do have to say that it was a commonly spread training method for many people in my observation. Growing up and seeing other people get puppies and whatnot, this was pretty much the only method I ever heard people talk about doing to potty train puppies. So while I do disagree with the practice as I know as an adult now that there are other, better methods, I would stop short of jumping on her case about trying that method because it was pretty commonly used so I imagine she'd think giving that a go might produce results.

I agree that the majority of dog behavioral issues revolve around the owners as much as the dogs. As in, a lot of people want to blame the dog for their misbehavior and fail to see that they themselves are part and parcel of the problem. I don't know whether that applies to this case as I don't know the situation personally.

On principle, I disagree with getting rid of a dog due to a baby coming, and I don't think this dog constitutes a harm issue (she said the dog bit her when she rubbed his nose in his waste, which would naturally piss anybody off lol). However, since the owners are honest enough to say that they will not be putting the time and effort into the dog once baby comes, then I think one has to consider what's really in the dog's best interest, and perhaps in this case, rehoming the dog would be the solution. If it's a no kill shelter, that's a good start.

well i think its wrong that some of these ladies are giving you a hard time.. its not like youv gone out, bought a dog and a few months later decided you cant be assed to train it!! sounds like youv tried everything.
i personally think in your situation your doing the right thing for both you and the dog
xxx

My partner had a rotvveiller (not sure on spelling) when I met him and, like a lot of ladies in this thread said, when I fell pregnant with my 1st he did not want to rehome her just because we were having a baby, which I agreed with.

However, although she was a really soft dog (did not live up to the bad reputation they have at all) she was extremely big and boisterous and we couldn't have her in the same room as baby due to her jumping around all the time and the risk of baby being hurt. Eventually we decided it was not only best for the baby but best for the dog if she was rehomed to a more suitable environment. She went to a retired couple with older teenage children who already had a male alsation, they are at home all the time and the dogs get taken for lots of long walks. Her life is MUCH better.

Although I understand the principle of not rehoming just because you're having a baby, it is sometimes the best decision all round. You just need to make sure you find a suitable home where you can be safe in the knowledge that your dog will be happy and well looked after.

Agreed, and I think if the proper love and thought has gone into the decision, and the dog's best interests are also accounted for, then it can turn out to be a really good decision. I am like most and would disagree with getting rid of a dog just because baby comes, and that's why it's very situational-dependent. But I can definitely see that there are *some* situations in which it would be a better choice. Nothing in life is black and white, and as long as the dog isn't just being fecked off uncaringly to god knows where, I think it can be acceptable and even desirable for the dog's sake, in SOME cases.

I think you are doing the right thing. A dog that will bite you when he's upset will probably not hesitate to bite baby when he's upset either. People say that you just shouldn't leave them alone together but a dog can bite them just as easily with you right there in the room with them. Recently a baby near here was killed by the "sweet family dog" that had never even bitten anyone before... the mom was in the room and the dog wasn't even trying to attack the baby.. the baby wimpered and the dog got there before mom did and tried to *pick the baby up* and it killed the 2 week old baby with one bite. No one could have seen that coming but I read a lot of stories in the paper about dogs who's family thought they would be fine around baby only for them to maim or kill the baby while the devastated parents were trying to get there to stop them. Sometimes it's accidental, like with the dog trying to pick the baby up or play with them, and sometimes it's because the dog doesn't react well to a crying infant. It's all a big dangerous experiment that I can't imagine even thinking about with any dog, no matter how sweet they appear to be. The potential consequences are too dire.

I think you are totally doing what's right in your situation. It sounds like the dog needs a different living situation than what you can provide anyway and you've obviously tried for a really long time to make it work. It would actually be more selfish to force the dog to deal with apartment living than it is to let him go and give him a chance at some place more suited. And I don't care *why* the dog bit you or your DH, that fact is he's proven that when he's unhappy or upset his reaction is to bite. There is a very good chance a rowdy toddler will eventually piss him off and make him bite too. Don't care what anyone says, our babies/children should always take priority over pets. Anyone who puts their pets before their children (or even equal to them) has their priorities really screwed up.

Sorry to veer off the original discussion here.. but wow! Can sure tell ur not a dog lover! It would seem that in your opinion dogs and babies should never ever be around each other, period? Does that mean that all parents-to-be should get rid of Fido as soon as they get their bfp? Or perhaps we should save ourselves the heartache n nobody in the world ever choose to own a dog ever again?

What a sad world that would be!

Sorry- back on topic now: to the OP, it sounds like you have took a lot of time to think through your decision, and have come to the best decision for your personal circumstances, and have the interests of your family (including the dog!) at heart!

^^ ouch!
I have to say I also agree that a dog or for that matter any animal should not be equal or given priority over a child!
No way would I ever trust a dog with my baby/ toddler. They are animals and we have no real control over whether or not they may lash out at our child. Thats not to say dont have one its just to say treat them as an animal and dont give them human emotions and thoughts!

Before anyone jumps at me im not a heartless animal hater, I have an adopted older cat, but she is very much watched around my children, and if she became aggressive that would be it

Some dogs are great with children sure, but some are not, if your dog shows signs of aggression when pushed then consider yourself lucky that you had warning before it was your child that was hurt!

To Tink, 4 years is a long commitment and you should feel very proud of yourself for doing that, I think you are doing the right think for you and your dog, he would be better with older people without kids