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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Need advice badly!!!

383 replies

worriedandneedsomeadvice · 25/04/2011 16:54

I've just been at the garden centre with my 7 month DD and my 4 year old cocker spaniel.

A man bent down to stroke my dog before I could tell him not to and my dog went for him. Badly. His hand was dripping blood immediately.

I apologised and apologised and my BIL (the manager of the garden centre) took over to make sure the man was okay so I could take the dog (and DD) out.

He's been a bit growly lately but has never done anything like this before.

I'm shaking. I don't know what's going to happen and I don't know what to do.

He's fantastic with my DD, gentle as a lamb with her but as I said, lately he's been growly, especially at children he doesn't know so I've made sure to keep him on a lead and mostly just at home. But he loves BIL so I always take him to the garden centre when we go...

I can't believe this has happened. I don't know what to do. I'm waiting for BIL to call me, but the mans hand looked terrible... Absolutely dripping with blood. It was so quick.

Please give me some advice if you can??

OP posts:
soverylucky · 26/04/2011 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Animation · 26/04/2011 21:13

Oh for Gods sakes - why??

Why do you need to keep this dog when you have a baby?

rostbeef · 26/04/2011 21:15

So you've seen a vet. The rest is all future stuff.
I think you should take serious steps to find the man and apologise to him. In person and tell him the above. Apologise to your BIL.
Then relax and look after your baby and keep a close eye on your dog.

HooverTheHamaBeads · 26/04/2011 21:17

Why you would have the dog sleeping in your bedroom is beyond me.

Any dog, that is. Let alone a dog who has bitten.

Does your dog know his position in your house? Doesn't sounds like it.

Original poster
worriedandneedsomeadvice · 26/04/2011 21:18
Hmm

Why do people have more than one child?
Why did you bother posting when you're clearly just trying to wind me up?

Because I love him. He's part of my family.

OP posts:
scruffybird · 26/04/2011 21:19

Worried, has your dog ever shown any aggression towards you or your dh?

dribbleface · 26/04/2011 21:20

worriedandneedsomeadvice - must have been a shock for you. For what its worth my mums dog (terrier) was a gentle loving dog, but when my DS was born was bit growly with him. Not long after she went for a toddlers face (child was walking past, dog was on lead) fortunately she didn't make contact but it was very very close. Our vet did recommend putting the dog down as he explained how the dogs often do this in responce to a child being brought into the house. My mum was heartbroken and explored every other option with the vet. i think you right to be guided by the professionals in this case.

Original poster
worriedandneedsomeadvice · 26/04/2011 21:20

Rost - read the thread. I did.

Hoover - biting aside, why on earth shouldn't he sleep in my bedroom??

OP posts:
Original poster
worriedandneedsomeadvice · 26/04/2011 21:21

No scruffy - never been aggressive to any of us.

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 26/04/2011 21:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scruffybird · 26/04/2011 21:24

Thats good. I wouldn't worry too much at this stage then. The muzzle when out will sort out the rest. And be extra careful with delivery drivers, window cleaners etc
Good luck, keep us posted, and it sounds like you are a good dog owner

dribbleface · 26/04/2011 21:24

Beertrickspotter - thats what i said, your right to be guided by the professionals??

RumourOfAHurricane · 26/04/2011 21:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Animation · 26/04/2011 21:26

This is not about you.

SaggyHairyArse · 26/04/2011 21:28

I haven't read the whole thread. I have a very nervous Jack Russell who is fine with adults and other dogs/animals but who hates children. I have taken him to a dog trainer and they have told me what to do,which of course I do, BUT because he has shown fear agression (snapped at a friends child but luckily did not injure, and it was just luck) he is muzzled when he is out and about.

Also, if children come to the house he is crated or he goes in the garage. I would never let him sleep in my room as when he was a puppy he did on occasions and became very terratorial about my room.

For all the dog psychology in the world and training, I would not risk him injurying a child OR not injurying one again and scaring them half to death.

mnaddict · 26/04/2011 21:30

It is idiotic to let your dog sleep in the same room as your baby as you are asleep. Therefore the dog is being left alone with the baby. This is dangerous regardless of the fact that your dog bit somebody badly and is behaving oddly. Even in a year, it would be irresponsible. Even when your baby is a toddler, a small child etc, I fear you will become complacent as you seem to think the risk will just magically go away. It wont. What will you do if/ when your baby is a toddler and gets bitten for petting the dog, will you still keep him then?

Original poster
worriedandneedsomeadvice · 26/04/2011 21:35

Mnaddict, the crib is too high for him and she can't climb out - what can happen??

Animation - who you talking to?

OP posts:
TheOriginalFAB · 26/04/2011 21:35

"Biting aside?!?!" HmmHmmHmm

Original poster
worriedandneedsomeadvice · 26/04/2011 21:37

If it's me, then of course it's about me?? It's my dog, my baby, my house, my experiences. Who on earth would it be about??

OP posts:
Animation · 26/04/2011 21:37

Worried.

I'm talking to you, It is not about you and what YOU want.

Animation · 26/04/2011 21:39

No. It's about doing the right thing for your baby - even if YOU don't like it.

scruffybird · 26/04/2011 21:39

FAB I think she meant why isn't it a good idea for a dog to sleep in your bedroom generally

TheOriginalFAB · 26/04/2011 21:41

Maybe so, scruffybird, but she is still in denial about what the dog has done imo.

rostbeef · 26/04/2011 21:47

Thread too long and you keep repeating yourself. HAVE you apologised to the man? If not you should. ASAP.
Why so narky- most people agree with you on what you have done so far. Maybe you are so cross as you know that you are not 100% doing the right thing because you love your dog so much.

FuppyGish · 26/04/2011 21:47

Jesus. A dog that has drawn a fairly serious amount of blood (dripping was the phrase I believe) and a baby.

Great mother OP, the medals in the post Hmm

Why don't you take a look at the pic of Shiney's son and think again??

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