What would you do? My dog bit my 4yo?

mookiandco

I love my dogs but if they bit anyone at all I'm afraid I would be looking at either rehoming them or having them put down. Our pomeranian bit an old lady on the ankle who came into the garden unexpectedly - as her skin was so fragile the injury was pretty severe. If it had been a child it could have been even worse and as there was a public right of way at the bottom of our land, we couldnt take the risk.

Would you be even asking the question if the injury to your daughter had caused disfigurement or even worse. I just would not take the risk.

ariba10

MrsE wrote: »

I don't know if I would have had it put down, but I would have got rid ASAP, & made sure he went to a home without kids.
I wouldn't have waited for a second or third time.

The problem with rehousing a dog like that is that the next owner must be told the full history of the dog, and not put in charity kennels where some unsuspecting soul takes it home in ignorance.

xx_Jo_xx

Regardless of whether the dog has enough stimulation or not, I would be unable and unwilling to continue to put my child at risk.

To me theres not much to think about and to be perfectly honest, I dont understand why youre taking this length of time to consider the welfare of your daughter.

MrsE_2

ariba10 wrote: »

The problem with rehousing a dog like that is that the next owner must be told the full history of the dog, and not put in charity kennels where some unsuspecting soul takes it home in ignorance.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrsE
I don't know if I would have had it put down, but I would have got rid ASAP, & made sure he went to a home without kids.
I wouldn't have waited for a second or third time.

sidefx

My cousin (as an adult) was bitten twice very badly by the family springer.


The dog got more territorial and possessive as she got older and she had grown up with all the family.

Maybe you should try and rehome the dog


Your child's safety is more important imo

foreign_correspondent

ariba10 wrote: »

The problem with rehousing a dog like that is that the next owner must be told the full history of the dog, and not put in charity kennels where some unsuspecting soul takes it home in ignorance.

No reputable rescue (which is what I presume you mean when you say 'charity kennels') would pass this on to a new owner without ensuring they are fully informed of its history. The dog would certainly not be homed with young children by any good rescue.

However, with a purebred dog like a springer there are likely to be no shortage of childfree homes which would be willing to work with a dog with this knowledge.

OP - you may want to have a look at some of the specialist springer forums for more advice - I think there is one caled 'its a spring thing' or something similar.. aha - here - http://www.itsaspringthing.co.uk/

Notsosharp

Pssst wrote: »

My experience of this type of dog is that they can be unpredictable and a bit snappy.

I wouldnt have one near a young child.

I'm sorry I disagree, not all of them are snappy and unpredictable, I have a springer 13 years old now and I don't think he has ever snapped in his life, my Mum also has one who is coming up for four and again he has never been snappy or bad tempered.

BUT hving said that, I would not have a dog in the house that couldn't be trusted with children, on the other hand are you sure the dog wasn't provoked. My mum's first dog was very very good with children but did bite my cousin once....after he had stuck a pencil in her backside that stayed there.

If its not the first time he has snapped then I would question whether he was suitable to have with children.....I don't think I would have him PTS but I couldn't trust him again thats for sure and he would have to go. Much as you love the dog your child must come first.

woody01

vtmil wrote: »

Hi,

My 2 year old springer spaniel bit my daughter on the face today, very narrowly missing her eye. It pierced the skin and has left a bruise. This is the third time my springer has snapped at my little girl.

Generally she is a loving, very energetic dog. My daughter was stroking her when it happened so unprovoked. It has worried me.

What can I do? Would training help? Am I awful in thinking I should try and find my springer a child-less new home?

Thanks

Vtmil

Get shot of the dog unless its more important than your daughter.

No small children should be left with any dog.

Hintza

Some good advice on here. This is a situation that needs nipped in the bud, I was hoping the dog was slightly younger but at 2 it might still be OK.

We had a GSP that at about a year old had a go at the missus and he got the biggest hiding of his life and was never a problem again. He did however have the odd growl at the children but that was normally after they had done something like jumping off their bunk bed and landing on top of him. The kids normally got a hot bot and sent to their room if something like that happened. Kids need to learn to respect the dog's space.

We also had a lab when I was young which went loop the loop and killed one of the other dogs and was later found to have a tumour on her brain she was pts immediately.

My point being you have to decide whether it was totally unprovoked or not.

You know your dog and have to decide whether it is worth giving him a second chance or not (with the obvious risk that comes with a second chance). The dog and child need to be watched constantly to see if anything the child does triggers anything.

My ESS when he is going out can on occasion get over excited and nip my arm when we are leaving for a walk, so as others have said you need to discount over exuberance as well.

This will be a hard decision and if you have any doubt the dog should really be rehomed.

Good luck.

twinklie

When I was little we had a JRT which bit me (think I was 2). It was totally my fault as I'd pulled his tail and been generally annoying him. However, obviously mum and dad weren't going to rehome me and I showed no signs of stopping annoying the dog so the dog went.

I didn't forgive my parents for days (apparently I stopped talking in protest). But I totally think they did the right thing. You seriously need to think about whats best for your child. I don't envy your decision...good luck.