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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My dog just bit my son. Twice :o(

170 replies

AboardtheAxiom · 11/03/2011 07:15

DS is now terrified and is begging me to take the dog back to the pound.

He hasn't broken the skin (ds had thick pjs on) but he has left a bruised lump on DS's leg. Sad

I can't believe it. DS was just stood watching TV 1st time, 2nd time was sat at the table!

I half to go out at half 8 and need to make a plan.

Dog is barking in kitchen and DS is crying (again) in living room. Sad

OP posts:
LessNarkyPuffin · 11/03/2011 22:19

Is there any info/site out there on how to find genuine, reputable, local rescue centres so that situations like this can be avoided?

Vallhala · 11/03/2011 22:30

Not that I know of, at least nothing definitive, Puffin.

My own recommendation is that the prospective adopter ensures that:

  1. The rescue homechecks. No alternative, no concessions.
  1. The rescue requires to meet all members of the household and all existing pets.
  1. That the rescue sends the pet out neutered/spayed unless

A. They have medical reason not to - e.g. that a dog is epileptic and surgery is too risky

B. The pet is too young, in which case they should have a procedure in place for neutering to be done in due course AND to carry out a follow up to ensure that it has.

  1. The rescue operates a no kill policy.
  1. All animals are fully vaccinated/wormed etc before leaving the rescue.
  1. All animals are fully assessed by experienced staff.
  1. Lifelong support and advice is offered
  1. Rescue insists, by contract, that they must take the pet back if ever, for any reason, the owner cannot keep him - hence the no kill policy is doubly important.

There will be more but I'm knackered and I've forgotten loads, doubtless! :)

LessNarkyPuffin · 11/03/2011 22:44

Thank you. Really helpful. It's shitty that places exist that call themselves rescues and actually make things worse for the dogs.

youjusthaventearnedityetbaby · 12/03/2011 01:33

Poor OP, poor child and poor dog... And well done Val...
I had the most wonderful rescued collie cross for over 11 years, as a puppy/young dog she was unsure of small children, but as we almost never saw any small children then anyway it wasn't a problem, we had an adult only household (pub, in fact). She was seven years old when my son was born and she was incredible with him, would sleep next to his moses basket, then cot, then bed. As he grew up she patiently sat still as he cuddled her and waited for her treats from me! She never once gave me any cause for concern. When she died in November last year she left a massive gap in our lives and we miss her terribly. I'm so sorry that my new baby will not have the benefit of growing up with such an intelligent and gentle dog. I hope the outcome for the OP's dog is positive and I think she is acting in the best interests of her son and her dog. I hope her son won't be scared of dogs for too long.

Original poster
AboardtheAxiom · 12/03/2011 07:52

I left this thread last night as I was too emotional, but wanted to return to answer some questions and clear some things up. Sorry if I don't answer each individual post, all these replys are rather overwhelming!

Val is helping me rehome my dog to a good ethical rescue hopefully and is taking a lot fo her own time to help me with this which I truely appreciate. Val has not lead me in any way, we had already spoken over pm about my dog previous to this incident and she did not ask me any leading questions or sway me in any way. Hmm

As for the whole arguement about was it a bite, a nip, a snap, etc. I don't fecking care what you want to call it really! I used the word bite in my op. It was not an aggressive move he didn't growl or snarl or lunge at ds, however he did use his teeth to hurt him and he left a mark. Call it what you want it doesn't change my current situation.

My dog is a collie cross. He is affectionate, bright, good company, gets on with other dogs etc.

I don't completely blame the pound, I accept the fact that he shouldn't have been placed with me and I shouldn't have homed him. I had a collie cross growing up and this coupled with how reassuring the pound where that he'd be fine - and the fact he was in a cold wet icy kennel meant I took him home with me. I visited him there almost everyday for two weeks, and had a trial weekend that he never returned to the kennel afterwards.

I will not be keeping my dog Sad

I do not want him put to sleep

DS is comfortable with the dog on a lead and he knows he will be going somewhere else as soon as I have found him a nice place. This is a short term situation from my point of view and DS knows that.

OP posts:
herladyship · 12/03/2011 12:34

OP, I think you have handled this situation really well.

Glad you have got valhallas support, hope it is all sorted soon :)

minimu1 · 12/03/2011 15:17

Good luck Val - you are a miracle worker if you can finds a safe rescue for this dog - all the rescues I am involved with are turning away many dogs daily as they are all bursting at the seams.

Rockmaiden · 12/03/2011 16:57

Seems like you have this sorted now but just wanted to say I am a dog behviourist and am happy to give advice if you want to PM me to discuss the incident.

If you are wanting to keep the dog and retrain it is important to find the 'trigger', however small and insignificant it may be there WILL be a trigger from the dogs point of view.

However an un-provoked bite is a very scary thing to deal with as a parent and if you don't feel able to work with the dog and your son then re-homing is the best option.

PS. My son is also autistic so understand how distressed he must be feeling.

Original poster
AboardtheAxiom · 12/03/2011 18:09

UPDATE

My dog's trainer has agreed to take my dog into her rescue so I will be taking him to her in the morning (DS is at his dad's tonight). Her rescue is a charity and they are a good rescue - thorough in their training and home checks, and ethical. Also she already knows my dog and is confident in taking him on (he will be going home with her) and eventually finding him a suitable home.

DS is okay, he has a bruise on his leg and is no longer trusting of the dog but is satisfied I have been looking for a new home for the dog as he comes first.

I'm going to miss my dog so so much. He's my pal, I love him and there will be a big hole in my life without him. Sad I'm rehoming him for the sake of my DS but that does not make it any easier. Sad I have constantly felt sick since yesterday morning. Guilty for DS getting hurt, anxious at finding the best solution for everyone involved, and just terrible in general.

I also want to publicly thank vallhala for all her help both on and off MN, she has been a real star to me and determined to help me putting in her own time and energy to help me, my son and my dog.

I posted in shock yesterday without thinking about how strongly people's views would be. If I'd taken 10 minutes to calm down and think before posting I probably wouldn't have! However I am glad I did.

I think the best outcome has been found for this awful situation. Sad

OP posts:
Ephiny · 12/03/2011 18:49

Don't feel guilty, you have very clearly tried to do the best thing for everyone all along - while this particular dog may not have been the best fit for you at this point in your life, you probably saved his life and certainly rescued him from a miserable situation by taking him from the pound and giving him a home, which is surely a good thing. And if you don't feel able to keep him any longer (and only you know your full situation and are able to make that judgement, not any of us random opinionated people on the internet :)) then ensuring he goes to a good rescue is the next best thing you can do. I do hope they find him a good home, he sounds like a nice dog and should do very well in an experienced home who can give him the training and lifestyle he needs.

Of course you'll miss him, but as you say this is not the worst outcome for him, and probably the best one possible in this situation.

LoopyLoopsChupaChups · 12/03/2011 22:46

This is an excellent result and you have handled it well. Take care. :)

flyinstar · 12/03/2011 22:57

glad the dog will not be put to sleep,but sad for you losing your pal.you did your very best for him and your son,go easy on yourself.x

Vallhala · 12/03/2011 23:09

What Flyinstar said just above. Brilliantly.

Thinking of you AtA, I know it's not going to be easy for you. Take care.

MotherJack · 13/03/2011 00:29

Thinking of you Axiom. I have just come across this, what someone eloquently described as a train crash of a thread. You will miss your pal, but you know he will be well cared for and loved like you loved him.

Shame on you all who slate Vallhala. She picks up all sorts of waifs and strays (humans, that is) from The Doghouse, and works tirelessly to find a solution. I wish everyone I knew had such drive and dedication in their work.

pinkfluffyprincess · 13/03/2011 00:31

What MotherJack said. Specially the second bit. Some people don't have a clue

diddl · 13/03/2011 08:28

Glad it´s worked out OK.

But the responsibility isn´t solely with the pound.
OP also took the dog on without knowing it´s history & without a garden.

silentcatastrophe · 13/03/2011 13:20

WEll done! One of our dogs can be snappy and one of them 'tooth kisses' me. Dogs can be fantastically supportive for autistic children, and I hope you find a way to help your child become less afraid of dogs, so that in time, you will be able to welcome another dog in your lives should you want one.

Some trainers will allow you to go and watch even without a dog. It's amazing what you can learn.

A dog can have a perfectly happy life without its own private garden. There are public parks and public footpaths and public forests and other public places to walk a dog.

Original poster
AboardtheAxiom · 14/03/2011 07:51

Thank you everyone for your recent posts. Not been back online as I've been really ill, and judging from ds throwing up all over my bed last night (thanks ds) I'm guessing we have a bug. Hmm

My dog went to his trainer yesterday who runs a rescue and she was hoping to home him with a foster home, if not he would be going home with her. I said my goodbyes and had a huge cry in the car (as did my friend).

DS isn't usually afraid of dogs and I'm hoping he will just hold a personal grudge against this one dog rather than being afraid of all dogs.

Up until the bites on friday morning having a dog had been a huge benefit to DS. They cuddled up and played together, DS was benefitting from the routine walks, and it was helping his social skills as he chatted with other friendly dog walkers. I had also been househunting to find a house with a garden. I know you can be fine with no garden and a dog but I felt my high energy dog would have benefited from one, despite us having a dog walking track and open green space nearby. Smile

I won't be getting another dog though, I feel it isn't worth the risk and will just have to make do with DS and the cat for company. Grin

I can keep up to date with my dog's progress through life, as he will always be the responsibilty of the rescue for the rest of his life it's comforting to know I will be able to check in on how he's doing.

OP posts:
stinkyfluffycat · 14/03/2011 15:44

AboardtheAxiom - just wanted to say that I was fairly badly bitten by a dog when I was six (teeth met in the middle of my hand, still have 2cm scar today) and it definitely didn't put me off dogs, so hopefully your little one will not be scared of dogs in general in the future.
It sounds like your dog has gone to a good home, I'm sure he'll be loved & looked after, although you must miss him.

Vallhala - I'm very glad dogs have you on their side.

bumblingbovine · 14/03/2011 15:58

This dog DD NOT BITE. If a dog bites the person who is bitten would have more than a bump on their skin. A bite would go throughpyjamas. From what I gather this dog is still young. Young dogs nip sometimes as do some older ones if they have not learned not to.

Obviously the OP can't keep the dog if her ds is terrified of it but suggesting having the dog PTS is way way over the top,

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