The attitude of a guardian prioritizing their pet over a baby shocked viewers.
In the 6th episode of Channel A's pet solution entertainment show 'The Time of Dogs and Wolves' aired on the 9th, a multi-pet household with a Shiba Inu, a retriever, and a newly adopted shepherd was featured. A 16-month-old baby was placed in the middle of three large dogs that had not yet properly integrated, creating a precarious situation where accidents could happen at any moment.
The baby had already been bitten by a pet dog and required emergency surgery, yet life had not changed significantly. Additionally, the temperament of the Shiba Inu was not a major issue. While it had a tendency to want to be the leader, the greater danger stemmed from the guardian's attitude and parenting style.
The mother guardian prioritized the pets by sleeping with them and keeping the baby separate. In contrast, the father guardian emphasized that "there should be a line between animals and humans," prioritizing the child's safety. Their conflicting attitudes led to marital conflict, and the household was filled with tension. Observing the situation, Kim Sung-joo empathized with the father's feelings, stating, "No matter how lovely the pets are, they are not worth even a fraction of my child's well-being," highlighting the disrupted priorities.
Kang Hyung-wook's concerns deepened. The question of whether integrating the three dogs was indeed the right choice was not a simple one. It was a dilemma that this family had to confront. Ultimately, a recommendation was made to "send the shepherd to a better environment." However, the guardian's hesitation, stemming from their love for the pets, continued, and the dangerous cohabitation persisted. Later, during a home visit solution, it was confirmed that a fence and kennel had been installed, but it did not ensure complete separation between the baby and the large dogs.
As the uneasy cohabitation continued, Kang Hyung-wook directly showed the mother guardian the potential threats that could occur near the child, raising her awareness. He criticized her complacent attitude by saying, "It's not okay to think it should be fine," and emphasized the need for a sensitivity akin to "placing a pot of boiling water on the gas stove."
Ultimately, the guardian decided to entrust the shepherd until they could move to a house and set up a dog kennel. Although it was a step taken a bit late, it was an unavoidable choice for safety. This family's solution left a question for pet owners to ponder: where should the priority lie between a beloved baby and a pet, and is it truly right to adopt a pet without careful consideration?
'The Time of Dogs and Wolves' goes beyond simple behavior correction, delving deeply into the guardian's attitude and environment that underlie problematic behaviors. It provides a total of three stages of solutions, including initial feedback in the studio, close care in daily life, and the guardian's actual living environment.
