I love the bird story!! I'm sorry, but as a mom, I would have laughed right with you. I'm a firm believer innreasonable and natural consequences when it comes to children-and a poo is reasonable for sure. when my 14 yo was just about 3, we lived in north dakota and our neighbors had 2 rotties - zeus n sassy, who were very socialized and very well cared for. zeus was a BIG ONE! anyway, Zeus was about 6 or 7 n sassy, 2-3. my neighbor had invited me over so my son n I had gone next door.
while we were in the basement oooooing and awwwwing over their new pet, an iguana, my son was messing with zeus. the owner told me he was ok that zeus was very used to children and my son wasn't hurting zeus. zeus, in a very controlled "hit", turned and smacked my son on the cheek with a snappish growel. It drew blood and a nice bruise and cut. My response-served my son right because I had told him to stop, that doggy may not like finger in the ear or his nice touches. despite the owners reassurance that zeus was cool w kids as long as they didn't jump on him or poke at him, I used my own instincts. Zeus could have bit my sons head off! but he gave a warning and I wasn't angry. he's a primal creature and we can NEVER predict their exact responses.
a few months lster, zeus n sassy saved my sons life when he escaped (took down the TWO child gates, climbed upon a tall stool and un-chained the door, inlocke
the deadbolt and the door lock as well) our home after we had gone to bed. our son went next door and let the dogs out of the house (the neighbors never locked their door cuz of their furry alarm system)... those 2 rotties prevented anyone from approaching my son during his 3 hour adventure through the neighborhood!
primal but coexist for reasons beyond our knowledge!