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The doghouse

My dog bit my child, not dogs fault.

254 replies

CollyWombles · 24/06/2018 21:20

She is okay first off, cut her lip a little and just under her eye, gave her a terrible fright. She is 13 and for some unfathomable reason, blew on his ear.

My dog is a rescue. I got him when he was 10, he is now 13. He has never been a huge fan of the children, however he has never bit any of them. The children have all been brought up to be respectful towards dogs and respectful to him in the three years he has been with us. I cannot think why she took the notion to do that.

My stance is that he bit for a reason. It wasn't unprovoked. My husband however, wants my dog put to sleep. My daughter does not want the dog in the house.

I adore my dog, he isn't everyone's cup of tea, he had it rough and I think how he has come on is amazing. I don't think he deserves to lose his home, or his life for biting for a reason.

In the same breath, my children come before any dog and it feels like I can't win no matter what I do. I'm either a bad parent or a bad dog owner. Please help me work out what is the right thing to do for my dog and also for my family.

OP posts:
peppaswig · 24/06/2018 21:24

Your husband is right.

Your DD is lucky she wasn't more seriously injured. Are you really willing to take the risk of it happening again as well as letting her feel frightened in her own home?

PrincessoftheSea · 24/06/2018 21:25

Your DH is right

FATEdestiny · 24/06/2018 21:26

When did this happen?

Because the first thing I'd suggest is some time and space for everyone to calm down.

Decisions shouldn't be made based on raw emotion and everyone may think differently after a few days.

BertrandRussell · 24/06/2018 21:27

Sorry. The dog needs to be put down.

CollyWombles · 24/06/2018 21:28

Two hours ago. My husband has walked off to 'cool' off after he thought it appropriate to say he was having the family dog put to sleep in front of the children. I have three other dc and they don't want their dog put to sleep. I told my DH he was out of order saying anything like that in front of them so he stropped off.

OP posts:
Unicornandbows · 24/06/2018 21:28

That's so unfair on the dog poor dog!!

The dog was provoked please don't put him to sleep

bobstersmum · 24/06/2018 21:28

I adore dogs, but this dog bit your child's face, I am trying to fathom why you aren't more thinking the same as your dh.. This could very easily have been a lot lot worse.

Kittykat93 · 24/06/2018 21:28

Unfortunately due to your DD provoking your dog, he is now going to have to be put to sleep most probably. Difficult decision and I feel for you

Unicornandbows · 24/06/2018 21:30

Can your older children take the dog? Is there way to cool the situation down

BertrandRussell · 24/06/2018 21:30

You're back from A&E very quickly. What did they say about ongoing treatment of the bite?

Shmithecat · 24/06/2018 21:30

A 13yo dog who has bitten is not likely to get rehomed very easily.. . But I know I'm going to be the only one who says that you should tell your dh to bugger off and tell your daughter that's a lesson learned - I'd be keeping the dog if I were you. It's incredibly unfair he could be destined to live out the rest of his days in a reduce centre or pts because your dd did something stupid.

lifechangesforever · 24/06/2018 21:31

I agree with you OP, whilst I don't condone the dogs behaviour in ANY way, shape or form, he was reacting instinctively to a situation that he shouldn't have been in. Such a silly thing for your daughter to do. I do hope she's ok.

But, it is not an excuse to put a dog to sleep!!

I would recommend speaking to a dog behaviourist and seeing what they suggest. Maybe the dog will need to be rehomed in an adult only household but being put to sleep is just taking it too far. I'm surprised that so many people agree Sad

peppaswig · 24/06/2018 21:31

I told my DH he was out of order saying anything like that in front of them so he stropped off.

You're out of order trying to minimise the situation. Can you guarantee that nobody will ever provoke the dog ever again?

CollyWombles · 24/06/2018 21:31

My dog bit her face, because she blew in his face. He didn't randomly stroll up to her and bite her. That's why I don't think the same as my husband. Dogs are dogs, they aren't humans. They have reactions to things they don't like and most dogs do not like being blown on in the face. He is a rescue and a terrier.

My feelings are that my daughter is 13, not 3. She is more than old enough to know better and not repeat such a thing in the future.

OP posts:
Nandocushion · 24/06/2018 21:31

You've kept a dog for three years that has never liked your children?

lifechangesforever · 24/06/2018 21:32

Also, MN isn't the best place to ask about dogs.. everyone on here pretty much hates them.

chickedychicked · 24/06/2018 21:32

I'm not a dog owner but I do understand how you feel about your dog. However nothing would come before my children and I wouldn't be willing to risk my child getting hurt worse in future.

LM1970 · 24/06/2018 21:32

Sorry but your DD is old enough to realise. Why was she playing with him in the first place- surely you have told her to not play with him unsupervised because he can be anxious around children???

CollyWombles · 24/06/2018 21:32

No peppaswig, I'm being realistic. My husband is entitled to his opinion, however he is not entitled to upset my children by telling them he is having their pet put to sleep before we had even discussed anything.

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 24/06/2018 21:33

A family dog should not react to someone blowing in his face by biting..

Frequency · 24/06/2018 21:33

I'm with the dog. I'd be mightily pissed off if someone blew in my ear without warning too.

Did you see it happen? If the dog was sleeping or in his safe space it is even more understandable. This isn't a dangerous dog, it's a misbehaving teenager who is unlikely to repeat her actions.

Get him checked out at the vet in case he is in pain. My dog has an ear infection atm. He snapped at me earlier when I was applying his drops. Atm, he snap at anyone touching or blowing on his ear so no-one is. Everyone knows he is pain and to give him space.

coolwalking · 24/06/2018 21:33

Sorry if I have misunderstood, you keep referring to the dog as your dog rather than the family dog.
The dog being seen as not part of the family might be why they are quick to want the dog put down. Unfortunately I don't think you will win them over if the dog is yours and not everyone's. Is a really awful situation.

LM1970 · 24/06/2018 21:34

Nando- I have two dogs that don’t like children. They don’t like humans other than a select few full stop.

That’s how we want them to be- seeing as they are security dogs.

CollyWombles · 24/06/2018 21:35

My dog was right next to me when he did it, he was curled up next to my back.

Yes I've had a dog for three years that doesn't love my children but is happy to be around them, as long as they respect his space. As said he is a rescue and lots of preparation was done before he came home with us. He will play tug with them and he will let them stroke him or walk him, but he is not a lap dog or a cuddle dog.

OP posts:
Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten · 24/06/2018 21:35

Big sigh - this thread will be full of people that do not know your dog or dogs behaviour that tell you to put your dog to sleep.

None of us can advise as we did not see the situation in rl. I am a qualified behaviourist so can not give specific advice but obviously control and managment would be wise. Give your dog space,educate your daughter,do not leave dog and children unattended etc

You need to get a qualified behaviourist in to assess the situation. If you need help in finding one I can help with that

From what you have said if your dog has never shown aggression before and the only time was when someone blew in his ear then don't blow in his ear and he will not bite again.

Your dog showed self control - if he wanted to he could have done much more damage.

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