We have a 3 year old OES (he’ll be 3 this month), who has been the sweetest addition to our family. However, at around 18 months of age, he started showing aggression to strangers. At first, he just used his voice to warn them away, but it’s evolved into snapping at people. We’ve been led to believe this was due to poor breeding, but nonetheless…

At first we could handle this, he warmed up to people inevitably. We still felt comfortable taking him to dog parks. We could introduce him to people outside, let him get acclimated, then bring everyone inside. We can’t do that anymore, moreover, we’re too afraid to. He’s drawn blood on two people, not a huge bite, but a snap. And he also cornered our nephew in the house, granted he was screaming and flailing his arms at him.  

I say all this because I’m 35 weeks pregnant, due before we know it, and we’re terrified. He is the sweetest dog to anyone who knows him, it’s those who don’t who suffer his aggression. Needless to say, a baby would not only steel his affection, but wouldn’t be known to him, and we have to protect baby first. 

We called rescues, trying to explain; they won’t take him since he has a bite history, more or less. But what they don’t know is his love for his people, cuddles, food, couch napping, backyard running, dog chasing, and just joy for life. What are we supposed to do? We would keep him forever if we could, but he could so easily snap at the baby, and we would never forgive ourselves. He would do so great in the right place, and we’ve been that for 3 years, but now we’re scared. Help?

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