Dont know what to do, dog just tried to bite out toddler.

[memphis83]

Sorry if I ramble here, I have always owned dogs and we got a puppy a while back, he is 7 months old (collie x lab) he has always been a bit mad, jumping up etc we have always owned dogs and wanted a dog to grow up with our baby who is nearly 1, they got on so well together, our dog plays all the time with him and he has his crate when he wants a break from us, I have done everything I thought was right, puppy classes, had him castrated, lots of lovely walks as a family, play with him in the garden, but certain things I cant stop him doing like ripping up the lawn, jumping onto worktops (I mean whole body on there) and when he gets excited over past few weeks he literally throws himself against the walls/fence etc...sorry im rambling now but tonight we have all eaten, gone for evening walk and come back I was sitting watching them on the floor together and dog playing with his toy and baby playing with his books and unprovoked he snarled, lip curled up and snap on his hand, ds saw it coming and jumped so he caught his hand but could have been much worse, DH is away, dog is in garden throwing himself against the fence, while ds crys at window because he wants his friend back in, so what do I do? Im not the sort of person who just gets rid of a dog, but explaining it to my brother who fosters dogs and helps out at dogs homes says maybe he could have something wrong pshycologically??? Any advice would be greatly recieved, having owned dogs for a long time I have never had a dog who has snapped before?

I'm sure someone more experienced than me will be along but in your shoes I would keep them apart until you can have a vet look over the dog and advise you.

You have bought a mix of two very clever working dogs. I love collies, but they are not family dogs, they are working dogs, who need specialist training to keep their minds busy.

Wiccaway is always spoken of highly, I am sure they will be able to advise you on training and games.

Make no doubts about the fact hat ds wasn't hurt because the dog did not want to hurt him, not because he moved, dogs, Collies especially have lightening fast reactions. If he wanted to bite your son, he would have.

At 7 months old your dog is hitting the 'teenage' phase where they realise they don't have to do what you ask. It's your job to make them want to do well, via great games and rewards.

I very much doubt it is nuerological. I am also a fosterer and lifelong dog owner and owner of a snappy terrier I have had my fair share of problems with.

Are you still attending training? You should be working on obedience still and Collies love agility and field work. Be carefull of over working, he is just a pup and his bones are still developing, a good trainer will be abe to advise on what is safe to do.

Dooin we have lots of games for him, and balls etc with the treat holes so they work for rewards, he finished his obedience training and I have had extra home training, he is generally very good and as you say so clever and picked up things very quickly in training, so out of character, I love him so much but feeling a bit out of my depth

Has he done all his canine awards? You can go to advanced training classes to help keep his mind busy. Or start training him for field work if there are any classes near you.

I will ring the dog trainer about further training after I have spoken to a vet to rule out if he isnt feeling himself, We play in the garden doing games etc with him we are here most days all day, he isnt bored. He seems fine but im just worried about this happeneing again, feel so stupid.

Don't feel stupid. They are hard dogs to manage and it does sound like you are doing everything you can think of. Email Wiccaways, they specialise in Collies and will be best placed to advise you.

I second what Dooin says. I've referred a few people to Wiccaweys (am a rescuer) and have found them excellent, they really know their stuff and go out of their way to offer advice and support.

All I'd say differently to Dooin is that you call rather than email. You may not get a call back until the beginning of next week as they reserve weekends for visitors and adoptions but they WILL reply and they WILL help, promise.

As Dooin said, that wasn't a bite, if he'd have wanted to he would have caused damage and at his age and given the breed I'd doubt very, very much if it was as a result of psychological issues.

Thanks for all replies, hopefully we can work through it, I know it could have been worse, But ive never encountered one of our dogs baring its teeth and it shook me up.