Friend's dog is biting children - advice needed (long)

[miacis]

A very dear friend has got a dog in the last month. Generally it seems friendly but in need of training eg no recall at all. However, it has bitten her DDs 3 times now - twice on an arm and the latest jumping up and biting one of the DCs in the face. Neither time has drawn blood but both the latest ones were strong enough to leave a mark for a while. More worryingly, in neither of the last two cases did the dog growl first. So no warning.

I suspect that in all cases the biting has been the result of the dog being provoked/over excited in some way by the DCs - eg the last face bite sounds like it was as a result of him being crowded. The DCs have been spoken to now and I hope that should calm things down. I also doubt if he was properly socialised. He does lunge on the lead sometimes.

It's a 1 yo retriever - he is well exercised but they live in a small flat. My pal has booked him in for training classes, is trying to train him already and he is due to be neutered. He is not crate trained and there is no room for a crate in the flat.

1. Any ideas on what other steps can be taken to prevent this happening again.
2. My DD plays there often and I am now worried about that - more kids = more noise/excitment/high voices/potential for crowding and a recipe for a DC getting bitten. I will ask my friend to keep the dog separate but I just know this won't happen in practice. I will talk to DD too.

BTW the DCs were not alone with the dog when he bit - but they are often alone with him

I have no idea but if my child for whatever reason had been bitten I wouldn't be visiting said friend unless the dog was kept in another room

What about your friend coming to your house or meeting in a park etc?

I would say they need to get a behaviourist in, establish why the dog is doing this and prevent the kids getting the dog crowded or exzcited. crates dont take up that much room ( no more than the dog).

I was about to say, if there's not room for a crate then there's not room for the dog. The dog needs a separate secure space as a priority - somewhere he can be trained to go when everything gets too much for him and where the kids can be trained to leave him well alone. They must not be left alone with him.

Where did she get the dog?

I have suggested a crate and will try again - it will be a real squash though. Small rooms with lots of stuff.

TBH a retriever in a small flat is mad as was how they got him (Gumtree). I know that only too well (and would have done everything possible to sop them going down that route had I known). However, they are where they are and really love the dog. I just want to help as much as possible as I am worried re the biting.

Our crate takes up a huge part of the kitchen, but it's better than a basket as you can put lots of stuff on top of it, and close the door. If there is room for a dog, then there will be room for a crate. Ours is massive, and I didn't realise just how big it was until we got it home. It's big enough for an elephant.

This behaviour needs to be stopped now! If they are not able to do so on their own then they must get in a trainer or behaviourist asap. APDT is the best plae to start. link here.

They sound like inexperienced owners so do need to get help on this one.