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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

I need some advice, my dog went for my toddler.

28 replies

WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 01/01/2013 23:04

I need some advice please, tonight, Grund went for DD (18 month old toddler). Me and DD were in the front room and I had my back to DD as I was moving the fire guard, grund wandered in just as I turned around and stood betwen me and DD, I didn't see exactly what she did (because she was on the other side of grund, they were right in front of me, I was facing them) but grund suddenly yelled and snapped round at DD, not just 1 snap but over and over like he was trying to get hold of her. It's a miracle he didn't. I hauled him away from her and she was screaming and crying. He didn't get her, that I am sure of, but I'm certain he meant to.

I am very careful with their interaction, DD is NEVER left alone with him, interaction is very closely supervised and any time she does something she isn't meant to (pulls his fur/ear etc, she is told 'NO' and placed on the naughty step).

I just don't know what to do. I really haven't got the time to be sorting out a situation like this, my brother is in intensive care after his step brother tried to stab him to death on saturday and I'm going back and forth to hospital every day to visit him. Grund already chooses to spend the majority of his day upstairs out of the way, he only wants to come downstairs in the evenings really. He seems fine, not in any pain or anything so I don't think there's anything physically wrong with him.

What should I do?

OP posts:

Report

HollaAtMeSanta · 01/01/2013 23:14

Am sure a dog expert will be along soon but can you get a crate for the dog or a playpen for your DD as a short-term solution? or is the dog too big for that?

WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 01/01/2013 23:19

He's a greyhound (hence grund), you can get crates that he would fit in but they're upwards of about 80 quid, no way could we afford that much. I did plan on getting him one before we got him but when I found out how much they were I changed my mind :o we do have baby gates up on the kitchen and stairs though.

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Mollydoggerson · 01/01/2013 23:21

get rid of it.

FlojoHoHoHo · 01/01/2013 23:24

Just to clarify, you believe he intended to bite her but couldn't? Why not? A greyhound could easily have got your DD before you had chance to stop her?
Sounds more like warning snaps than intent to bite.
Certainly not a warning that should be ignored though.

D0oinMeCleanin · 01/01/2013 23:25

Grunds are very, very dramatic. One of mine lost the ability to walk after a little tumble on a grassed area, which was terrible of course, except he was limping on the wrong leg

He soon walked it off when he realised it would not gain him any attention.

Your dd probably stepped on his toe or something. I wouldn't over think it. He was in pain, he reacted by yelping and air snapping. All perfectly normal. Had he wanted to bite, he would have done so.

Just be sure to keep their interactions supervised and things will be fine. Dogs do not try to bite, they either bite or they don't. They don't miss when they aim to bite.

JustAHolyFool · 01/01/2013 23:25

Oh I don't know Mollydoggerson I think she should try for a little while before she gets the toddler adopted.

I would get the dog taken to the vet, OP. It might be that she's in some sort of pain, even if she doesn't seem to be. She's obviously stressed out by something if she's upstairs all the time.

FlojoHoHoHo · 01/01/2013 23:26

I would take him to the vet first thing and find out if he's in pain or ill.

CalamityKate · 01/01/2013 23:28

Having had a lurcher who thought he was dying if you so much as looked as if you MIGHT tread on his toe/tail, my first guess would be that your dog was either hurt by your DD or he thought he might be. A vet check is always worth having just to rule out any hitherto unnoticed physical problems.

I would also say that if your dog had wanted to make contact then he would have. If dogs mean to bite they very rarely miss; their reactions are many, many times quicker than ours. Especially as he air snapped repeatedly.

ozymandiusking · 01/01/2013 23:33

I'm sure you would never forgive yourself if at some time in the future the dog attacked your child and did some serious damage, or even worse!
Have it put to sleep

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 01/01/2013 23:33

Ditto with the above as taking him to a vet.

But be comforted by the fact that if your dog had wanted to hurt your DD, he could have. But he didn't.

Sounds to me like DD may have accidentally hurt the grund, He responded by being a Diva and everyone was upset.

The good news is no-one was hurt (bar Grundy) and you and DD will be more aware around him.

WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 01/01/2013 23:45

I say he tried to get her because she was standing just behind his shoulder, he yelled then sidestepped towards me, and as he turned his round to DD she stepped back, if tgey were warning snaps they were very, very close to her, I'm talking a couple of inches at the most.

at rehoming the toddler :o

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WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 01/01/2013 23:49

Sorry, that should be turned his head round.

I have spoken to the rescue too, they say because of the stress I'm under at the moment RE my brother, he could be picking up on it and it's making him anxious and defensive .

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D0oinMeCleanin · 01/01/2013 23:54

Grunds are sensitive wee souls, he could certainly be anxious if you are. Air snaps do get very close. But dogs have lightening fast reactions. He meant to get as close as he got, no closer.

I hope your brother recovers soon.

WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 02/01/2013 00:01

The rescue also advised that I muzzle him whenever he's around her for now, I've also emailed the rescues behavourist for advice too although I've not heard back from her yet. I posted here for more varied opinions, it's always good to have more than 1 I reckon.

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D0oinMeCleanin · 02/01/2013 00:03

A muzzle would be fine. Grunds are usually used to them, especially ex racers so it won't cause him any stress. I don't think it is necessary but if it makes you feel safer it won't hurt.

Feckthehalls · 02/01/2013 00:03

Get rid if the dog now

WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 02/01/2013 00:06

Now? Nah, he's in bed, wild greyhounds wouldn't be able to race him out of bed in the middle of the night!

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JustAHolyFool · 02/01/2013 00:07

Everyone who's saying get rid of the dog/get it put down, I really hope none of you have pets.

WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 02/01/2013 00:11

Don't worry HolyFool as long as I have anything to do with it he ain't off anywhere. DP on the other hand, he'll definitely be in the 'get rid' camp. He heard Sprocket yell but I didn't tell him exactly what happened, I just said DD stepped on him. When he finds out he actually snapped at her he's going to flip :(

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Arseface · 02/01/2013 00:11

I'm with the others on this - no way he would have missed if he'd intended to bite.

How awful about your DB. Do you think the dog is a bit stressed after xmas, new year (fireworks?) and the obvious distress you're feeling?

Could you arrange to get him out for a bit more exercise than usual to shake off the stress? Would make him much less likely to snap at the odd toddler-related mishap.

For now, I'd separate them except for supervised time where you make sure the dog gets a positive experience with your DD (special treats he only gets from her, ear scratches and stroking when he's in the mood etc).

I have greyhounds and toddlers and this really worked for us. They love little ones now, are relaxed about shrieking and sudden movements and actively adore enthusiastic toddler love!

Hope you get some good news about DB soon.

Feckthehalls · 02/01/2013 01:03

Holy fool if you think this is ok I really hope you don't have children

JustAHolyFool · 02/01/2013 01:35

Feckthehalls point to the part where I said I thought it was ok.

midori1999 · 02/01/2013 01:43

If Holyfool thinks what is OK? A dog telling a child to get off/get away when they have probably hurt him? Yes, that's a really bad thing...

OP it sounds like you have your head screwed on and I agree with the posters that have said if the dog intended to bite, he would have done. No doubt whatsoever about that. I also agree that if you are tense he could pick up on that and that a vet visit is a good idea.

Very sensible to seek advice from the rescue and their behaviourist. Also good advice from them to use a muzzle in the meantime.

I'm sure you can get this sorted out without any risk to your toddler.

WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 04/01/2013 11:51

Sorry I haven't updated, not had much time between dashing off to the hospital. He's also started peeing in the house everytime we go out, I took him to the vets, £36 later and he's fine. Nothing physically wrong with him at all, so the vet put it down to stress and she thought it a good idea to send him away on holiday for a while. So I rang the rescue an hour and a half ago and ended up crying down the phone to her. He's gone already :( they picked him up 20 minutes ago, they've found him a foster home with 2 other greyhounds so hopefully he'll be ok.

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WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt · 04/01/2013 11:52

Oh and I still haven't heard back from the behavourist.

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