Daughters friend claiming dog bit her

[Changedname23]

Such a random one. DD's friend is here to stay for a few days. They are both 11. They were sent to bed at 10pm but came down at 10.30pm wanting to put on a show. I listened to them for 10 mins and was about to send them on their way when DDs friend said our dog had bitten her.

The dog was on the sofa and was licking his paws because he has an allergy (we think to grass and its been treated). There was no growl and I was sitting right beside them both. Sometimes if the dog doesn't want people in his space he will do a low growl or will mouth at you (when putting his harness on). When we nice he will give us a lick. He has never snapped or bitten anyone. He goes to doggy daycare two days a week and no behavioural issues.

Now DD has come down to say her friend keeps saying the dog has bitten her. I examined the area thoroughly and there is nothing, no red mark. Zilch.

I was right beside them and saw nothing. Not quite sure how to proceed in the morning if she keeps saying the dog has bitten her. She has a much bigger dog herself and he can do the mouthing thing too but also no biting.

Just looking for some perspective/advice

Keep dog and kids separate for tonight.

Offer to call friends mum to come for her.

Just to say I don't want to ignore the child but I was sat right with her and didn't see anything and there is no mark. The dog is really gentle. Obviously from now until she goes I'll be keeping him away from her but DDs other friends are always in the house and there has never been a thing with the dog. Should I be extra cautious now

The kids have gone to bed and the dog is with me. The Mum is over 2 hours away. Do you mean in the morning?

Yes, whatever really happened, you have to give her the benefit of the doubt on this one. I know it's hard. Just keep them separate and keep a very close eye.

They are gone to bed now and the dog will be in daycare tomorrow so I'll make sure he isn't anywhere near her tomorrow evening and the following evening

That's a tough one - she could well be fibbing, kids do sometimes. But as long as there's the tiniest chance that your dog did actually snap at her and you missed it, you have to take it seriously I think. You'll need to be able to tell her Mum what measures you're taking to prevent it happening again - I would book your dog an appointment with a vet to make sure there's nothing underlying that could be causing a temperament change, for starters.

Definitely agree I need to take it seriously. I was sat right with her on the couch though and there was no sudden movement, noise or mark. Is it possible?

You made it sound like they had only just come back downstairs. I’d call the mum first thing in the morning and let her decide.

My daughter used to claim our dog “bit” her any time the dogs teeth made contact with her - she was far younger than 11 though. We explained the difference between teeth accidentally touching skin and a bite.

My dog has grazed me with his teeth while licking and nibbling his paws. Not intentional and wouldn't have left a mark but still meant I felt teeth on skin although it didn't hurt and wasn't aggressive? I'd suggest gently to her that he might have been trying to itch his feet and made contact by accident without meaning to hurt her but you'll keep doggo out of the road for the rest of her stay and if she wants you can phone her mum. I'd tell the mum exactly what you've said though that you were sitting beside them and didn't see the dog move so it must have been an accident because he's a bit itchy?

No they've been in bed a while now and I've been mulling it over and then posted.

Your dog isn't well so his temperament won't be normal, probably a little grumpy. She's not in his family pack. She's used to a different temperament dog.

She could have been near, went to touch his poorly paw, and he closed his mouth over her hand. Just keep them separate, and tell your own child to give your dog space until he's better.

Great suggestion. Yeah I will do that in the morning. She is a bit sensitive anyway as he jumped up on her today and she said his claws were hurting her (she had shorts on so it would have been scratchy).

Yes - that makes sense. I will keep her away from him and vice versa.

I would just say Ok well you seem grand so maybe just keep your distance from him just in case. She isn't hurt which is the main thing.

You were there. You know the dog didn't bite her. She may be using the wrong word, she may be misinterpreting or she may just be lying. You don't have to go along with it or give her the benefit of the doubt - that could lead to awful consequences for your dog.

one of our dogs is what I jokingly call the silent asssasin, she's never been a nasty dog at all, she's really sweet, and she's only small, but if my sisters big dog shoves his face into hers, or if one of our other dogs tries to steal her dinner or get in her face, she'll do a quick little snap movement with her mouth, but she doesn't actually seem to bite, it is completely silent though, she barely moves even, you wouldn't know she's even done it if you didn't see it happen, it seems to put the fear of god into other dogs though, I think because she doesn't 'warn them' first, she doesn't seem to hurt them though. She also has allergies and doesn't like being 'messed' with when having a flare up.

Could it have been something like that? or could the dog have been chewing her feet and she was resting on the girl and got a bit carried away with the chewing?

I'd definitely give her mum a ring tomorrow and let her know what she said and give your take on it just so she's got peace of mind that you're on top of the situation.

Yep that's what I said. I put the torch on my phone and gave her a good examination and said maybe he just put his tooth on you

I agree. If you were there then you KNOW it didn’t happen. I would be concerned about the potential for this to get out of hand.

When and where is she saying she was bitter? Would it be odd to say you'll take a photo of her 'injury'.to send to.her parents to keep them updated?

Well I honestly can't back up her theory that he bit her as I was literally right beside her and there is no mark and no movement from the dog

Sometimes kids make things up for attention. I would have said, “But I was right there. I didn’t see or hear anything and you haven’t got any marks. Are you really sure the dog bit you?”

Yeah I can do that in the morning when she wakes if she is still talking about it. There was nothing. No redness. Not a mark in sight

Bitten not bitter. But I agree with @Greenshake and @Scienceadvisory to put a lid on this. You know she's lying. I'd be scared her lies could have your dog put to sleep
.

Yes I am very concerned that she was holding her arm and saying it was itchy and there was nothing there to suggest any contact at all.

I'm wondering if I should just see if it's brought up in the morning by her. She might wake up and not say a thing. I will be making sure the dog is not anywhere near her until she goes home in a few days.