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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:
twinsetandpearls · 05/03/2007 11:03

Perhaps they both need to ne rehomed, or do they not have a kennel outside so the dogs don't hvae to be unsupervised with the kids.

Our springer has a huge evry nice kennel outside so he is rarely in during the day.

Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 11:04

i dont want you to thinki am shipping her off down the vets to be put to sleep as soon as dh gets home!! no way.
i would rehome her of course. as i said she would make an excellent working dog and is so eager to please and be busy.

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Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 11:05

but i dont want to. i would rather keep her.

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burstingbug · 05/03/2007 11:06

My dog wears a muzzle just incase. I'd rather he wear it than one of my DS's get bitten.
The dog is generally fine, but sometimes he can get grumpy and growl if he sees DS1 running towards him.
DS1 is only just 2 and still neads to learn that sometimes the dog just needs his space. Luckily DS2 is only 6mths and not yet on the move!

Soapbox · 05/03/2007 11:06

I think the issue is a bit more fundamental than just the nip. I don't think the setting you have got the dogs in sounds at all fair to the animals, and rehoming for this point alone is necessary imv.

Labs are big dogs and need a lot of exercise and from your last post you are implying that there are some days when they don't get exercised, which really isn't on.

I think it is kinder all round to find a new home for them.

Sorry

dejags · 05/03/2007 11:07

Fio - if a dog is being tormented that's one thing but the OP says that her DS just approached the dog.

I absolutely agree that there is far too much hysteria about dogs and the potential danger of having them in close quarter to little children (it's been done for a zillion years) but I'd still be inclined in this situation to rehome the dog.

We had a kitten a few years ago and with one thing and another I just couldn't give her the attention she deserved. It broke my heart to rehome her but I am glad she got a lovely owner who could devote the necessary time to her. Sometimes life overtakes us and kids/home/life are more important than pets (by necessity), in this instance, the pets needs also need to be taken into account.

zippitippitoes · 05/03/2007 11:07

I think if you can't exercise them well every day then they do need a home where they can get exercise especially as labradors are prone to things like hip problems and diabetes

iirritable dogs don't mix well with small children

I really don't think a dog would be put down for this but if it is a case of the dogs needing attention that you can't give it is fairer anyway to find them a more suitable home

SoupDragon · 05/03/2007 11:09

I say keep her. As I said, I was nipped by our family dog (cocker spaniel) and if I look carefully I still have the fang marks on my wrist. He did it once. I learnt that you shouldn't playfight in front of the dog because he thought you were attacking a member of his family. It was my fault, not his and he didn't seserve to be rehomed, destroyed or even punished.

This should be a lesson to your son that he should not approach the dogs without a grown up. And maybe a lessonto you that you should take them out more often to wear them (and your DS1 ) out

dejags · 05/03/2007 11:09

Poor you Lady. What a horrible situation - I think your DH is right. Separate them for now and get yourself a tea.

You alone, know your dog. Discuss with your DH later and see what he says.

SoupDragon · 05/03/2007 11:11

I do agree that if you can't give them the exercise they need then they should be rehomed though

Bramshott · 05/03/2007 11:14

Can you get a dog walker to come and walk them every day if it's difficult for you to do it? No idea what you'd pay for that, but might be a way of making the situation better and still keeping the dogs?

nearlythree · 05/03/2007 11:15

It sounds like your dogs would be alot happier elsewhere. We didn't have the time for our lab once dd1 was born. She was an old lady then and didn't need so much exercise but I still feel guilty about it.

Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 11:15

they are both from the same litter andhave been together all their life so would need rehoming together i guess.
the other dog has hip dysplasia and has had one of her hips replaced. i have visions of them not getting rehomed.
it costs in excexx of 2.5k to have the op, if she needs the other one doing at a later date and then she needs taking out tothe toilet and holding up while she goes etc etcwhile she is recovering as she obv cant stand.
she is fine at themo btw, she had it done 2 years ago and is fully mobile now, but cant walk far.

i think i will keep them and get them out every day and see how we go......
tyhen change my posting name to BadMummy. lol

OP posts:
HuwEdwards · 05/03/2007 11:16

Good Luck LOTF

Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 11:17

i will google dog walkers now. that would be excellent.

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Mossie · 05/03/2007 11:17

I was nipped twice by our family dog when I was young (about twelve I think). Now I am older and have dogs on my own I realise that my parents did absolutely everything wrong with that poor dog; he had no boundaries, was allowed to do anything, was actively encouraged to bark and growl at anyone walking past.

I'm sure you're not like that with your dogs but I'm using it as an extreme example; have you looked at the way you interact with the dog with regards to its place in the "pack"? Dogs often "nip" to give a "warning" to what they see as "subordinate" members of the pack, so it's like your dog sees your ds as a naughty puppy. If checked and corrected in time you may be able to turn it around so that she sees herself as "subordinate" to your ds instead of the other way around.

However it would involve a lot of work, and instigating boundaries and rules for the way you interact with your dogs to which you would have to stick, really strictly, including regular exercise for the dogs, which you mention is a bit lacking atm.

If you don't think you could do that, you may be better off rehoming the dog / dogs, or a nipping problem might well escalate and become biting.

Mossie · 05/03/2007 11:18

Sorry x posts with a lot of people!

zippitippitoes · 05/03/2007 11:18

I saw something the other day about exercising dogs when you struggle to take them pout for walks..it involved games in the house and garden

maybe have her checked to see she doesn't have any lumps or signs of illness

Mossie · 05/03/2007 11:19

Also Cesar Milan (Dog Whisperer chap off telly) suggests a treadmill for dogs that can't get out for a walk every day!

Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 11:27

on further observation, i have come to the conclusion that she think she is higher in the heirarchy than ds.
ds just gave her a peach stone (little beast) and when he tried to retract it she growled. i took the stone without a problem.
pretty much what mossie has said.

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dejags · 05/03/2007 11:30

Therein lies your answer LOTF. If the dog is growling at an innocent interaction like trying to retrieve something, then you have definite control issues.

Wags · 05/03/2007 11:32

I think you also need to take them for a check up with the vet. If a dog is in pain it may make them snappy and less tolerable. Was it the one with hip problems? If it was and she thought your DS was going to lean on her she may have given the warning nip because she is in pain. My friend had a black lab who had a hip replacement and he didn't like heavy pressure on his side, i.e. if one of her children leant on him. Her kids were older, so no problems for her.
I think you do need to think about rehoming mainly as it is unacceptable for labradors not have regular walks. I don't mean that to sound horrible either, but they are active Gundogs and if you can't provide them with what they need then problems will arise and obviously your children must come first. Contact the Labrador Breed Society. They will have a welfare section who should be able to help you. Contact them anyway if you decide not to get rid they should be able to give you advice. Have you tried walking them with halties? I have 2 Dalmatians and can manage the 2 kids in a Phil & Teds or one in buggy, one walking if both dogs have a haltie on. OK its blardy bedlam but they all have fun.

Wags · 05/03/2007 11:36

Just read your last message. Sounds like there is a lot more going on which unless you have stacks of time to address the issues will only get worse. Please ring the Labrador club. What area are you I can get a number for you.

Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 11:38

as mentioned, i know their background and what they need but i think it has been put n the backburner for a while. ds getting nipped has reminded me and made me realise.
how much arethese halti things?can i get them at petsmart?

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Original poster
LadyOfTheFlowers · 05/03/2007 11:42

im getting a bit confused now. are my dogs beyond repair and in desperate need of rehoming?
once the dysplastic dog had her operation, she thought she was top dog. it did not take long for us to remedy this with methods mentioned, ie us going thru doors first, feeding the dogs after we had eaten, keeping them off the sofas and beds etc etc.
that was when the other dog thought she was above dh and i. surely if she thinks she is above ds we can sort this too? no?
im not getting arsey btw, and am appreciative of all posts.

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