Heartbroken my dog bit my toddler

[Motherofmonsters]

I'm so upset, I know what I need to do but it's so hard.

Ive had him for 10years and he is the soppiest dog in the world, if you're an adult. He's always been wary of children so I've kept them apart and they were getting on so much better.

But today he bit my DS on the face when he was behind him as we were leaving the house. Nothing serious but he has a couple marks by his mouth.

I'm so absolutely gutted

Serena you were two. That wasn’t your fault and I would be sad too.

If I bit my child's face because I was having f a down day they'd be taken off me. Rightly so

But a dog isn't an adult in a position of responsibility over the child. Quite a rubbish comparison.

It's more like if your baby bites your toddler, you baby doesn't get taken away or "put to sleep". It gets taught how to behave and watched more closely in situations similar to whatever caused it to bite in the first place.

OP dog rescues are regularly putting up posts about older dogs with health problems looking for houses with adults only and I'm sure there's plenty of adults looking for a companion to look after. please check out rescues first. Hope your child is ok

Crownduals, yes, I am serious, it might be better to regime the child

I’ve been In a very similar situation with our dog who extremely placid and never showed aggression to adults or other animals but was scared of small children. It never caused an issue until youngest was mobile and the dog lurched and growled at him when he tried to get in his bed. Got very close and could have bit but luckily didn’t harm youngest.
We were able to find a new home as devastated as we were. Through a rescue trust who homed with an adult who didn’t have children in their family or peripheral family. The dog went on to have a happy safe life.
Another person I know rehomed an old dog to an old couple, they specifically wanted an old dog as they didn’t want the dog to outlive them and go through rejoining again.
Please seek advice from a dog charity they will give the best advice

Rehoming not rejoining 🤦‍♀️ Also that dog was rehomed via a rescue charity

As my username may give away I have a similar set up .. collies are wonderful, clever, bonkers and totally neurotic. Mine gets a heck of a lot of abuse and puts up with SO much from the toddler but will become a snarling (Toothless but snarling) hellbeast over absolutely bizarre minor things e.g. Yes pulling on my ear and lip is absolutely fine but how dare you be near my right hip! It’s always a risk but I think they bring massive benefits to your toddlers life too. Not only the reduced asthma and allergy rates but the confidence around animals, a companion and all sorts.

There’s a big difference between whipping round and snapping and a bite in anger.. it’s a warning not a premeditated attack. Yes you take a risk having a dog and a toddler but my goodness I bet this warning will leave you very vigilant.

I’d get the dog checked over to make sure he isn’t in pain and therefore less tolerant and make sure the dog gets some alone time each day. I’d also be very wary of them together but I wouldn’t actually get rid of the dog or have him euthanised, I’d just change the systems in place. Fully prepared to hear about what a neglectful parent I am but hey I have electricity in my house and drive my kid places in the car too, I’m always exposing him to risks!

Sounds like your dog has had a happy life but she can’t live with your kids anymore.

Don't listen to these stupid santimonious females.
Keep your dog and supervise your little one - it's life

If your dog bit your child badly enough to require hospital treatment and your response was 'I also drive him in a car and the danger of living with an animals makes me vigilant' I would imagine social services would become involved on account of your neglect. Children have died from attacks from vicious dogs. Is that worth even the smallest risk? Its not comparable to driving, which for most people is not an optional thing. More like driving with your toddler on your lap instead of in a carseat. The attitudes of some dog loving folks on this thread is genuinely astounding. I hope none of your dog apologists ever find yourself with the boot on the other foot as that would be one extremely bitter pill.

They're not a breed known for mauling. They are usually nippers

immyshoes is right about this.

They are a very "reactive" dog - bred for speed and swift reactions and do have a tendency to nip instinctively - but they don't bite hard, because that tendency has been bred out of them.

They are a working breed, and no farmer wants sheep/cattle mauled. I'm not saying it never happens - you do get the odd rogue, obviously, but it is very., very rare.

Generally it is a "behave yourself' nip.

It's more like if your baby bites your toddler, you baby doesn't get taken away or "put to sleep".

Do I really have to explain how a relationship with your actual human child is different to that of a dog?

I got the following from a dog safe website in the US. Interestingly it says to get help for the child who may suffer trauma from this. There was lots more but it was too long to post.

doggonesafe.com/my_child_was_bitten

I OR MY CHILD WAS BITTEN - WHAT DO I DO?

Obtain immediate medical attention; ensure that other people do not remain in danger from the same dog while you attend to the injured person.
Ensure that your child is assessed for emotional stress and obtains a referral for counselling if this is required. Talk to your child and monitor their behavior even long past the incident. Click here for more information on how to help your child emotionally and to read answers to frequently asked questions from child psychiatrist Dr. R. Larry Schmitt.
Instruct other children and bystanders to Be a Tree and remain still and quiet if the dog is still in the area.
Animal bites can easily become infected so a visit to the doctor is essential if the skin was broken.
Click here for information about first aid for animal bites from the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Report the bite to your local health department. It is essential to find out whether the dog has had its vaccinations. Do not take the owner's word for this and do not worry about the dog owner "getting in trouble". Your or your child's health is more important than your relationship with the dog owner.
Report the bite to your local animal services or animal control officer - even if there was no serious injury. If you do not know who this is, call your local town hall to find out who is responsible for animal control and public safety in your area. It is important that a record be established for the dog so that if it has bitten before, or does so again there is basis for taking further action.
Report the bite to police - they will be able to tell you whether the situation warrants a police investigation.

Do I really have to explain how a relationship with your actual human child is different to that of a dog?

No but... you understand it's possible to compare things that aren't exactly the same, right?

Awwww, I have no advice OP but I imagine your pretty shattered right now! I have a dog and a young child and would be heartbroken if I ever found myself in this situation, my dog has been with us years and has got me through some really dark days, I love him so much and having to make a decision like this would break me

@Mistymonday

Rehome in adult only space, no need to pts, that is just awful.

agree.

@Megatron

but is equally great with my nieces too. she’s had babies crying around her, toddlers laying all over her

This should never happen. Poor dog.

I'd be concerned about this as a dog can get fed up with children clambering over it, maybe pulling its ears or tail and the consequences could be horrific for the child. Unless this happens when supervised, of course. I could not leave small children unsupervised with a dog in this way.

@lemondrizzlehedgehog my nieces don’t pull her ears or poke her. My sister wouldn’t allow that. But it’s never something I’ve witnessed.

If she’s laid on the sofa, they may cuddle her but more often than not they don’t bother with her.

You've had this dog for 10 years, it's lived its life with you and not put a foot wrong. I can't fathom pts a dog who has an off day. Collies nip...if you have one around a toddler it is your role to watch out for the toddler getting a nip. Take responsibility. Don't kill a dog for your mistake.
And if you do decide to have it pts, you stand by it until it's gone, give it comfort. Don't even consider leaving it for the vet to do, out of sight out of mind. Your dog has been around a lot longer than your toddler. It deserves better.

@SweetPetrichor

You've had this dog for 10 years, it's lived its life with you and not put a foot wrong. I can't fathom pts a dog who has an off day. Collies nip...if you have one around a toddler it is your role to watch out for the toddler getting a nip. Take responsibility. Don't kill a dog for your mistake. And if you do decide to have it pts, you stand by it until it's gone, give it comfort. Don't even consider leaving it for the vet to do, out of sight out of mind. Your dog has been around a lot longer than your toddler. It deserves better.

Well said - absolutely agree with this.

@newwnamme

Us dog loving folks have quite often had dogs our whole lives, know a lot about them and understand their behaviour. It is the people who have never had dogs before, don't have enough knowledge on them to fill a postage stamp but have the audacity to say anyone who loves dogs or who objects to a dog unnecessarily being pts is a crazy dog person who knows fuck all that astounds me.

OP, this really isn't the best site to post about dogs on. A lot of people have never owned one, are shit scared of them, hate them but think that they are dog experts and anyone who disagrees with them doesn't know a thing.

@Somethingorotherorother

I just said you shouldn't leave kids unsupervised until they were about seven or eight. My parents had a dog when I was born. It died of old age when I was ten. Nothing bad ever happened. Were my parents shit at being parents? I think not. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having young children AND a dog. Thousands and thousands of families manage it every year without a mishap.