…will be leaving before long.

Yesterday morning, one of my dogs bit Maya hard enough that he drew blood. I understand the circumstances (he was cleaning food off her breakfast tray, which was on the floor), and know that particular circumstance is preventable. You know, I could actually wash the tray instead of letting the dogs pre-clean it for me.

Anyway, this is the third or fourth time that he’s nipped at her, but the first time it’s been serious. (And no, it did not always involve food when he’s nipped at her.) After lots of soul-searching, I’ve decided he needs a new home. He’s been growling at Maya off and on for a while, usually just as a “get out of my space” warning. That, I think he’s entitled to, and I’ve told Maya again and again that when the doggy says “no,” she must respect that. Um, you know, a not-quite-2-year-old just doesn’t get that. ***sigh*** Now that he’s learned that biting will get him what he wants (her, out of his face), I don’t doubt that it will happen again.

There’s training we could consider. I can look at ways for her to seem “alpha” to him, so that he’ll let her in his space. I could keep them separated all the time. But the fact is, I’m a single mom who’s working at home AND taking care of a toddler — and I can’t promise to always be right there to prevent a reoccurrance. When it comes down to it, I love my dogs, but my daughter is my priority. I’d never forgive myself if the “next time” put us in the emergency room (and the dog to sleep).

He’s a young(ish) dog (almost six), and charming toward adults. (All of this made me realize that he’s *never* been good with kids — even growls at my neighbor girls.) While Maya was a baby, he adored her as the fount of all spitup. Now that she’s mobile…not so much. Within the coming weeks, my baby boy dog will be finding a new home, either with the ex-bf with whom I adopted him in the first place (he still gets visitation, LOL) or with his breeder (who would likely then place him with a child-free family). He will have a good home. But I will miss him horribly.

I’m soooo sad.