Is it wrong of me to expect him to get rid of an aggressive dog before the baby is born?

[Anonymous]

My fiancés dog got hit by a truck 3 weeks after finding out we are expecting a baby. She had her back leg amputated and metal plates put in her pelvis, as it was broken in 3 spots. We were told to kennel rehab her for 8 weeks while she healed, which we did. She was a full assist for toileting and exercise through that time (having to hook her up to a cloth device and hold her up to go to the bathroom- which fell off on me because he works full time away from home whereas I work from home). It took a lot out of me, considering I am pregnant and exhausted. I now have a pinched sciatic nerve and have since 12 weeks in to the pregnancy and it's incredibly painful.

Fast forward the 8 weeks, she's out of kennel rehab and has developed an insane amount of behaviors. The vet swears that the truck didn't cause a brain injury but I don't buy that at all. To get the testing done it would cost us another $1k that we don't have (her surgeries cost almost $3k as is). She now lunges at the side of her cage snarling at everyone except my fiancé, refuses to get out of her cage unless you ultimately force her, has developed food and cage aggression, won't touch food at all unless it's nothing but an expensive brand of wet food that we had to get her during her healing process (will literally not eat to a point of being lethargic), has nipped at several peoples faces for doing something mundane- like hugging me or my husband goodbye when they leave the home, whines literally nonstop, barks nonstop, growls constantly, etc etc. The vets swear she's not in pain and this is all behavioral.

I'm due in 8 weeks and this dog and her behaviors are making me weary of even bringing the baby in to this house. I don't trust the dog and behavioral training isn't doing a wink of good. She's gone after the trainer more times than I can count. So I told my fiancé the dog has to leave before the baby comes. He says I'm heartless because she's been through a traumatic event.

Yes, you're wrong

No, you're not wrong

Updates

9 mo

She's been in behavior therapy for 3 months. I already mentioned that in my main post (-the time she's been in). I stated that behavior therapy isn't helping and that she's gone after the trainer too many times to count. We have done what we can. Sure, it sucks to "give up" on the dog after a traumatic event but I'm not willing to have my daughter be bitten by an aggressive dog either and it's wild that some people think I should take that risk.

[Whatthefluff]

I don’t think you’re wrong, and this is a heartbreaking situation. I want to put a little more faith in pupper- can you please find a dog behaviorist? Any second opinion from a professional will help you determine the origins of this new behavior and whether anything can be done. I understand this is not an easy situation, and I don’t blame you for not wanting an aggressive dog around with baby coming so soon.

[Asker]

She's been in behavior therapy for 3 months unfortunately and it hasn't done anything. If anything at all, her behaviors are becoming worse. That's why I keep pushing for scans done of her brain for possible brain damage sustained during the accident. But the vets keep quoting us $1k+ to even have a scan done.

[Whatthefluff]

It might be worth talking to your fiancé. It would help if you had video/photo evidence or notes on when and how the dog has been aggressive to show it is a consistent and worrying pattern, considering the dog acts fine around him. If there is a lot of pulling away from the idea, remind him the important thing here is your guy’s baby boy or girl.

[Anonymous]

Maybe get another opinion from another vet. She may need medication to help with her behaviour, as she may have anxiety from thr accident which dogs can develop. However just know you aren't in the wrong for wanting go protect your baby and wanting to find another home for the dog.

[Paul09]

I understand it is hard. Very sad what happened. Probably the kennel fd the dog up. But dogs are family, would you do that to any other family members? You think helping the dog is expensive? How is having a kid not expensive? Way more expensive. Next time do not get pets, unless you put money aside for a emergency. Id still try a behavior specialist.

[Asker]

She's been in behavioral therapy for 3 months and it hasn't helped at all. Hence, the reason I think the accident caused a brain injury. I understand dogs are family. However, if I had a family member who goes after people, hurts people and has behaviors such as this dog does, I wouldn't trust that family member around my newborn baby either. So the comparison really doesn't hold any ground.

[boggboss]

No I don't think u are wrong to feel how u do but equally I don't think he is wrong in thinking u are being heartless

[Flower7]

It would be cruel to get rid of the dog. It would be next to impossible to find a new home for her now that she’s missing a leg. Just keep her away from the baby. Maybe her cage can be kept outside to add more safety, if it isn’t outside already.

[CrimsonAngel09]

Yes you definitely are.