Considering rehoming a good dog - please advise

[shatchp]

I've not been on the boards for some time, but used to lurk and listen as I raised Ollie from 4 months old to the present. He is currently 6 1/2 years old.

 

My wife and I have a 2 year old, and Ollie has done the growl and snap (never any contact) a few times when overstimulated. It's happened maybe 7-8 times. The most recent was today. He was hyped up over a fly buzzing around the house, and my boy pushed past him to go outside. Ollie knocked him down while growl/snapping at him. He demonstrated the restraint I've always trusted in him ...but for the first time there is evidence of contact on my son's face and my wife was terrified. My concern is that each time it happens, it gets worse.

 

Ollie has been reactive with other dogs, and we've dealt with that over time by avoiding putting him in tough situations. He's trained pretty well around our needs for him (never got great on leash, but we're mostly off leash on acreage near our home, where he's great) , and gets daily exercise. But, I'm afraid this is a dog that shouldn't be in a home with small children. He's not toy or food possesive with our son, but he has pushed the envelope with what is acceptable. It's tough, because the problems are rare...but if he injures my boy, its me who has failed. We're planning another baby, and so it'll be young kids for years. I think I need to look at the writing on the wall.

 

I need advice. I'm in Denver, but used to live in the Pacific NW, where there were solid rescues I would trust with a dog I truly love. If we decide to go that route (and I'm not there yet), is there anyone in Colorado who I can trust to do the due-diligence in finding the right home? I'll go anywhere in the western states to get this right.

 

Thanks,

 

Sam