In shock - Dog just "nipped" DS

minimad1970

My Mum's border terrier bit my son on the lip when he was 3, from the time my son was born if we were at my Mum's house the dog was next to him. He was the soppiest dog I've ever met. It turned out my son was "cuddling" the dog round the neck very tightly, he told me once he'd calmed down. I think the dog must have panicked and just caught his lip. I still trusted the dog with my son, and he learnt a lesson from it. Obviously I wished it hadn't happened. You're the only one that knows your dog well enough to decide what to do.

martinthebandit

A terrier has bit child and drawn blood?

.... only one option really isn't there?

They are called terriors for a reason.

Ladyhawk

fluffnutter wrote: »

How about teaching the dog NOT to behave so silly around a child?

Typical reactions on this thread so far... I'm not necessarily advocating PTS, but it doesn't surprise me to hear that most people seem to blame the kid and not the dog.

The dog has no history of aggressiveness. If this was a regular occurrance the responses would have been very different.

Dogs react to the environment they are in. They react to their training but even the most well trained domestic dog (Im not talking about orking dogs) will react if they are scared, teased or injured.

Children need to learn for their own sake to be respectful of animals, not to poke, prod or pull their tails or ears. The chances are that he got a bit of a fright and lashed out. No lasting damage done.

purple.sarah

That must have been very upsetting for you, I am glad your son is alright. I would get the dog checked out for any health problems since this behaviour is out of character. At 7 he is getting older and could be suffering pain from arthritis etc, which could make him more irritable and defensive, or poor eyesight, which could make him more easily startled. Consider further training for him and supervise him around children but I would think twice about getting rid of him, after all you do say he is a member of the family. You wouldn't get rid of the toddler if he had hit the dog, you would educate him and supervise him more carefully. Maybe you could shut the dog out of the room when your son is running around?

Nicki

Nottslass. We had a "nippy" dog when I was a child and looking back I think my parents did the wrong thing in keeping him.

If it was just a nip, then in your shoes I would re-home to a child free home telling them the history. If it was only "just a nip" due to your prompt actions, then I'd do what my conscience told me to. What I wouldn't do would be to tell my 3 year old that he is never allowed to play in an excited or boisterous way at home as most toddlers like to do, and that if he forgets it will be his own fault if the dog bites him.

Even if the dog doesn't scar him, take his eye out, maul him or give him a blood infection, dog nips are painful and 3 year olds shouldn't be exposed to them.

mysterywoman10

Terrible shock for you......If it helps our teenage son was bitten by our springer spaniel but he had been warned numerous times about it, i.e. winding her up!! She does not like being excessively fussed in her bed which is a space in the kitchen under the worktop where say a fridge would be. That is her space and she has always been funny about it.

She drew blood, was thoroughly reprimanded for it and has never done it again since. But then neither has son either! She doesn't like saying "Goodnight" generally for some reason and never has, so we just don't make a big deal of it. She is a very friendly dog otherwise.

I really don't think this is a reason to get rid of the dog it wasn't like it continued to savage your toddler, I do think there is a massive difference between a one off bite/nip and a frenzied persisant attack. Any animal will respond if provoked, infact most of us would too, again and only once my son randomly bit me on the arm aged about 5 and my natural reaction was to smack him back, the one and only time I have.

Dogs also behave the same with their own offspring and other dogs if they annoy them. They normally warn with a snarl but if that is ignored then they will bite.

I think close supervision and monitoring of the dog and toddler is what is needed here and it will probably sort itself out.

Regarding the Tetnus injection, I would phone NHS direct for advice first and they will tell you the best thing to do.

coinxoperated

fluffnutter wrote: »

How about teaching the dog NOT to behave so silly around a child?

Typical reactions on this thread so far... I'm not necessarily advocating PTS, but it doesn't surprise me to hear that most people seem to blame the kid and not the dog.

A dog is an animal that will always have a fight or flee instinct. When shocked, surprised, scared or hurt, many dogs of fantastic natures snap or nip.

A child can be taught to be calmer around a dog, how to behave with them as how to treat them with respect.

OP had the dog before the baby. She chose to have the baby, the dog didn't choose to have an owner who would 'get rid of it' the second it had a natural reaction to being surprised.

If we were discussing a dog seriously biting or hurting a child, this is different as it clearly poses a significant to the child. But we are not.

We are discussing a dog jumping in surprise and snapping at the first thing it reaches. That happened to be a 3 year olds face.

OP, if the dog had done the same thing to say, your child's leg, but it had jeans in between, do you feel it would have still marked?

There's is a significant difference between a BITE and a NIP.

As a safety precaution I would still supervise them when together and have some basic rules such as 'no running with the dog' 'no sitting on the dog' and if your dog gets overly excited if your son is playing in the garden or living room etc, maybe keep the dog in a separate room until things are a bit calmer.

A 'safe place' for him to go would also be good. You can get a large cage which is placed in a less used and quieter area of the house where he could get in and out of as he pleases. Your son shouldn't disturb the dog when he's in his cage. Then, if dog wants some peace and quiet he'll be likely to use it.

As you progress, if he sees his new bed as a safe place and his area, you can easily train him to 'go to your bed' if you need him to move whilst you clean etc

In regards to the cage, please don't ever lock the dog in it. He may see it as a form of punishment and this will set you back a long way.

Please note that I am not a qualified dog trainer or behaviourist, but grew up with very large dogs and many dog and have done a lot of research on dog behaviour as it has always been a life long interest of mine.

Wellyboots6

I would get child to the hospital for jabs if needed, get dog checked by the vets, don't leave child and dog alone together as other posters have said, and keep an eye on dog to see if he is under the weather etc.

I have just taken on a GSD with behaviour problems, and he is a bit nippy and boy does it hurt!

I can see why he is nipping in certain situations though and so am hoping to train him out of it. He was never set any boundaries when young, and so it is not entirely his fault as he does not yet know it is wrong!

I am only saying that because it shows there are often explanations for why dogs nip, and if you can find out the reason then you can often prevent it happening again. Dogs can't talk and so they explain themselves the best way they can.

I hope you can sort something so that you re-gain your confidence in dog again, or find a solution that suits you

Greener_Grass

I personally couldn't take the risk encase it happened again. My sons safety comes first. You say this is out of character but what's to say he doesn't have another out of character attack and cause a lot more damage next time. Could you really live with yourself

rach13

I got bitten by the family pet a few years back - I was winding it up and he reacted with a little nip - he got told off and sent to his bed and hasn't touched anyone since - including my 2.5 year old niece who frequently likes to pull his ears and hits him back if she gets hit with his tail!

Both dog and toddler probably learnt a lesson today - I would keep a close eye but wouldn't get rid of dog.