Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Original poster

It has finally happened & I'm heartbroken. One of our dogs has bitten Ds1....... :0(

109 replies

LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 10:46

As some will know, I have two female black labradors. They have always been fine with the kids, no probs at all.
When my ass was turned this morning, for a minute, ds approached one of them, crouched down to pet her and she lashed out and nipped his arm. I am pretty sure which one it was as she is sulking now and wont move.
I feel partly responsible as I don't take them out as often as I should, it's not easy. They are so strong and with the twin buggy it is a nightmare. They are very intelligent and energetic and I think she is probably frustrated.
I called dh and he said seperate them from the kids obviously and we will discuss when he gets home.
Anyone had any experience of this?
I'm totally heartbroken.

OP posts:
Socci · 05/03/2007 10:47

Message withdrawn

morningpaper · 05/03/2007 10:48

oh dear I'm really sorry LOTF

It's not quite the same but we have a rule that if our cat ever scratches the DD's on the face then we will get rid of her (she is quite scratchy but so far has stuck to bodies)

You need to decide where to draw the line

misdee · 05/03/2007 10:48

i'm sorry, but i think you know what needs to be done

Socci · 05/03/2007 10:48

Message withdrawn

misdee · 05/03/2007 10:49

would she be able to be re-homed though?

Marina · 05/03/2007 10:49

Oh, I am sorry. Labs are supposed to be such a safe option as family pets.
I'd have to let them both go in your position, sorry
Hope your ds is not badly hurt.

goingfor3 · 05/03/2007 10:51

It seems like getting them rehomed would be the best solution for everyone. Your children will not be at risk and hopefully the dogs will have the attention they need. Good luck.

Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 10:51

she bit the upper of his arm. it is red and you can see little white dots in the teeth pattern.
i dont think she needs destroying, just a newhome where she will get the attention she needs.
she is very willing to work and i think would suit a farm or something with older children.

OP posts:
Marina · 05/03/2007 10:52

Perhaps the RSPCA can advise on the rehoming issue?
Is there any chance at all LOTF that the dog is poorly, eg toothache, which might make her irritable? That could affect whether she could be rehomed, perhaps?

flutterbee · 05/03/2007 10:54

When my little brother and sister were babies one of the got nipped by my Dads dog, it was a Jack Russell, bloody ugly dogs imo but he had always wanted one and so my Mum bought it for him for their wedding anniversary. It was beautifully behaved, not at all yappy like most of them and was very very loved.

We had had her for about 2 years when she nipped the lo's, my parents made the decision to give her away, she was gone within the week to a really nice couple with a big garden. It broke my parents hearts to give her away but that would have been nothing if next time it was a proper bite.

We have always had dogs by the way and she was the only one who ever nipped.

FioFio · 05/03/2007 10:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

SoupDragon · 05/03/2007 10:55

I was bitten by our family dog once and he only ever did it the once. Personally I do not think that a dog nipping once is cause to have it killed. Obviously you need to look at the reasons and put measures inplace to stop it happening again. There is a wealth of difference between a nip like I got from our dog (which I assume is smilar to what your DS got) and the sort of behaviour that warrents having the dog destroyed.

oxocube · 05/03/2007 10:55

Oh how awful for you. We have a 4 yr old lab cross so I really sympathise. Are you sure about rehoming? Is it not possible to give them more exercise (ours goes to the woods twice a day but my kids are at school now). Or is there a dog walking service nearby which would give them the exercise they need?

I know a lot of people will think I'm mad even to consider keeping them but I'm just working through some options. x

HuwEdwards · 05/03/2007 10:56

LOFT, my springer bit me (thank god not one of Dcs) last year and I agonised over what to do - not least because I guess it could so easily have been DCs.

In the end, I took him to obedience classes - it appeared that like you, we had been a bit hit and miss with walks - but in order to compensate had somehow given the dog the feeling that he was higher up the pecking order than he should've been.

We are really careful now to not let him through doors before us, to wait before he eats his dinner etc. And touch wood, he's been fine (although with all animals, you can never say never).

SoupDragon · 05/03/2007 10:56

You say you're pretty sure which one it was... if you are not 100% sure then you can't be certain you have rehomed/destroyed the right dog.

dejags · 05/03/2007 10:58

I disagree Fio. The dog needs to be rehomed asap. There is no way to keep dog/child can be separated all the time - it just wouldn't work.

I think your local vet would be a good starting point for advice LOTF. They will be able to tell you who can assist with rehoming.

Good luck - what a sad situation

Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 10:58

I tend to keep theminthe hallwayor give them the run of the hallway and the upstairs during the day as they are so big and we trip over them as they lie in the most awkward places.
i nneded to see to the washing machine and left the gate open behind me and ds came out into the hallway.
it is very strange behaviour indeed i must say. i always said if they bite they will go straight away.
i dont know wether to make sure she gets out every day and see how we go, this being her last chance or what.
this was the nip, what if next time she bites?
im so upset.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 05/03/2007 10:59

I think rehoming the dog(s) is the way forward. Rehoming to a family with older children, or maybe a home with no children at all - surely they can do that. I don't think the dog needs destroying for one nip though.

dejags · 05/03/2007 10:59

Totally agree though, that this situation does not warrant having the dog put to sleep.

FioFio · 05/03/2007 11:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ucm · 05/03/2007 11:00

Unfortunately my Jack Russell, went to nip DS when he was little. I had had her for 8 years and I sort of knew she didn't like children really.

She was rehomed within 3 days. Sad, but the people who took her gave her more time than I could as I spent all my time with the baby.

Megglevache · 05/03/2007 11:00

Message withdrawn

SoupDragon · 05/03/2007 11:01

I think we've got kind of hysterical over biting dogs in recent years, mainly due to the increase in nasdty, ferocious breeds that have no place in a family home. The dog hasn't even broken the skin and has never been aggressive before?

twinsetandpearls · 05/03/2007 11:02

PLease rehome rather than destroy, perhaps a family with older children. I watch my dd with our springer and I am amazed thathe has never snapped as young kids can push a dog to its limit.

FioFio · 05/03/2007 11:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn