timid dog

Question
We adopted a five month old mix from the pound.
It is highly shy and timid.
It will show its teeth when children come to our home to play with our two
It also has shown its teeth to our two kids too.
We hate to return it but feel it need time to adjust and might of been mistreated for it hides when adults come over.
What can we do for her.
Please help us.

Answer
Hello, my sincere thanks to you for rescuing a dog from the pound.  Please understand that i can not make this decision for you because i am not there and only you know your dog and situation.  I would also not presume to make a judgement on you for either way you go because one decision (keeping the dog) is iffy as to whether the dog is really capable of being redeemed.... your children's saftey MUST come first.  On the other hand a certain amount of heartbreak will go with giving her up.  

All i can hope to do is to give you some ideas which i hope will give you some certainty and comfort which ever way you choose to go:

First, you must judge how nervous she is of children.  A very intelligent dog that is being harrassed by children may show her teeth because it WORKS.  They then leave her alone.  Showing teeth is NOT biting.... but it can certainly lead to greater bossiness.  

She is still young.  Perhaps in a quieter household, she could recover from her early rough start?  Because she is still young, it might be kindest to give her back quick so she is still adoptable.  A house with children needs a dog with rock steady nerves.  Most dogs have them.  It is a rare dog that because of her background does not like children.  Please also know that some dogs, like some people, really are born crazy.  I do not know if your dog is one, but it is a real possibilty.  There are thousands of wonderful, steady dogs that love children at the pound.  Your children deserve one.  

Okay... here's the other way of looking at it:  No dog, of any breed should be left alone with any child under the age of seven.  Period.  I know people do, but serious dog people never would.  This is as much for the dog's sake as it is for the childrens' sake.  

You do not tell me if you have had dogs before?  This is a dog who needs to be a PROJECT under the best of circumstances.  She needs lots of quality, quiet time devoted to her while an expert trainer eases her into human life.  As i said before... there are thousands of rock steady dogs who will HELP you raise your children.

Here is a good piece of general advice for young mothers:  Adopt an older, adult, steady, larger dog.  Young children will do much better with such a dog....but the same thing applies about not leaving them alone.  

Most good pounds will want a good fit.  They might not be happy about getting the dog back, of course, but they would MUCH rather get the dog back sooner while it still has a chance of finding a proper home.

Anyway you look at it this dog needs lots of one on one training.  That does means no "Nos", but lots of "good girl" because she is being trained to do the right thing.  In other words... she needs lots of positive things happening in her life every day or she will never get better.  Not everyone can or needs to handle a dog like this.  Consider carefully.  

Kind regards,
Findley