Help/advice please - our dog bit (nipped) the baby....is there only one answer?

[bloggingmamatotwo]

Aghhhhh so stressed, trying to avoid drip feeding....so adding detail... we have had our miniature short haired daschund 5 years, loving, never showed aggression, never bit, never anything...DS was born nearly 3 years ago she got a little grumpier and started eating the post, chasing people as they left the house, but all manageable and calmed down....DS1 is 9 months and yesterday, at stress o clock, teatime,end of the day, waiting to go and puck OH from the train etc completely out of character she nipped yes I know that is the same as a bite, but a bite makes the end result appear much worse than it was the him on the nose, it was a warning nip/bite rather than a bite to hurt, but it was a bite and it was my baby......so there are two small bloody cuts on his poor nose, little teeth marks......

So does this mean, I rehome her ASAP? Or is it worse than that?
Does the baby need a tetnus?

For info; the baby is fine in himself and was after the initial shock.....

Today I've kept the dog in the study and during the baby's nap time she has come out......

Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated....

boring - sorry I wasn't aware I needed permission?! I am upset for Blog, much more so than the wee dog, but for both. She might be 'better off' at the new home, doesn't mean she wont miss her family and wonder where she is/where they have gone.

Bugger - dripping again.

blogging I think you made the right decision, and have done nothing wrong. Must be difficult for you at the mo, so

No permission needed, i didn't intend my post to come across that way - just that i see this as a positive outcome for all. But of course the OP would be devestated, i know i would be. The dog will miss them yes, but will soon settle into her new home and be happier. As i say, i didnt mean to offend - sorry

boring :) It's OK. I'm probably a wee bit sensitive to being told 'there's no need for tears'... I hope the wee dog is happier & at least the OP will be able to check up and make sure that it's all OK etc I would just be completely devastated if it was me, but I wouldn't have made the same decision myself... but that's not to say I think she made the wrong decision for her/them.

Chipping, its OK - i had to make the same decision myself but fate intervined so i have read aspects of this thread with a lump in my throat -but im well 'ard i am OP - i hope your dog enjoys his new home, i suspect he will be spoilt rotten x

We all just want do whats best for everyone dont we .. I think that whatever else this thread shows what caring people we all are .... no just dumping the dog or putting her on free ad sites as "free to good home" !!!!

(((hugs))) for anyone who needs / wants them

Thing is we never know what's the best decision, sometimes till its retrospective, so all we can do is what we think is best perhaps taking on board advice and suggestions from others if they have experience or knowledge in the area.

My darling rescue gsd did not do well in kennels ( self mutilated) and three fosterings failed, as well as two adoptions, before she arrived with us. My rescue sprollie would probably be very happy with any human that so much as smiled at her. If I ever had to rehome them (doubt it) I might therefore do it differently for each of them.

Wish all dogs had caring owners like all the people here.

We are home after a long day, seeing my husband cry when he didn't even cry at our wedding or at our children's birth was quite hard, as I felt like it was my fault the dog and baby got too close in the first place, in fact the only other time he cried in my presence was watching Marly and me, so when i think i have married an unemotional yet very practical/supportive man, I must remember to put on Marly and me anyway back home tonight, we are both pleased with the outcome, having never been to the house it did have the feel of an animals paradise...she lovely aunt told us many stories of her adopted animals over the years, even stories of how she is named in the wills of friends, "if family member x or y can't have the cat then this is the number of @@@@ who will always take an animal"

She lives on her own, as never married, no children and her animals are are happiness :) For the one dog she has already, a rescue that had had 2 litters by 18 months and was dumped :( she has had 10 years it has the option of 4 beds, and I asked where her dog slept at night and she said with her...I said "oh sometimes she will try and get on the sofa" she replied, "don't worry that's why there's covers, my house is about them (the dogs/cats) being happy than a clean sofa" which was lovely, non animal lovers would have hated it the smell was very animal but the sitting room had a basket of dog toys and she clearly is passionate.

She gave our dog lots of cuddles and as we were leaving, was cuddling her, and saying don't worry, and we drove away :( we felt bloody awful, but knowing that she will be loved, spoilt and hopefully happy...she has just rang to say she has enjoyed a walk, has followed her around a bit, but has now settled in the bed and sleeping....

I spoke to my mum when we picked up our children (she had them for us today) and she said, that we were lucky to have OH aunt as an option, providing the best result for us in a bad situation...

As Tazzle said, everyone does what they feel/think is right and that's what we have done what we think/feel is right for us....

oh, bless you and your DH, it is a very selfLESS thing you have done today, and the right thing. Your aunt sounds wonderfully eccentric and will probably baby your dog more than you baby your DC :) A lovely ending, alhtough heart rending for you

(((hugs)))) blogging .

and your DH

ahhhh

Hope your family aren't too sad for too long. :)

Sneaking out of lurkdom to give you a quick hug.

You have made a really difficult decision in a calm and considered way.

The result is a much happier home for both you and your obviously beloved pooch.

You have absolutely done the right thing, that much should be clear to everyone.

Your aunt sounds fab. Bonkers, but fab!

I know many will not agree with me but many true experience dog owners and all rescuers of dogs will.

This is why you should never home privately having never been to the house so there was no detailed research, no matching of animal to new owner, no consideration of the environment, no after care offered, no assessing of the new owners dog with the new dog................I despair.........

fingers crossed that is does work out but if it does it will not be down to careful research just luck

I hope the long term outcome is good. Our 2 oldies do not like children. We were faced with possibly re-homing the dogs or the babies. In the event, we took professional advice and we all live safely together. The dogs are still sceptical of children and the children are sensible around dogs. Everyone is happy enough and the dogs now treat the dcs as playmates. Children need to learn how to respect other animals and behave accordingly. When things go wrong, there is usually a human at the helm!

AuntyOH sounds lovely :) I am sure wee pup will be happy there in that very dog-centric house

Perhaphs the reason your DH didn't cry at your wedding/kids births etc is because he felt he could tell you how he was feeling and you knew what was happening, with the dog and the film there's always that feeling of them not knowing why they are being left somewhere else... it's so hard.

Still, you have made a decision, your dog is in a great home, your children are completely safe and you will have a lot less stress than you might have had, if you had kept the dog and been worried about it happening again. You can't really ask for much more, can you?! :) x

I totally agree with your Snoopy. Having said that, it would never have occurred to be before quite recently really. I thought advertising in gumtree etc (I know...) was a responsible action. I think I thought it would be better for the dog/cat/save embarrassment from the rescue home & be the more responsible thing to do.

I would NEVER do it though - I did rehome a cat that was duffing up my cat privately, but it was someone from work & we stayed in contact.

Hope it works out for all.

Snoopy, I think whatever I wrote you were going to find fault, also on the Internet I haven't listed every detail such as every phonecall to the aunt Pre the visit, many phone calls with my inlaws (who are very close to her) about all aspects of it, etc, so your despair comment is completely antagonistic, you are wrong to accuse me of no detailed research and no consideration of the environment and no after care offered, the bit you are right on is we hadn't been to the home, but of course we researched this, and as stated previosuly after care has been offered - insurance paid by us, vets bills paid by us, as well as detailed communication about how it's going etc, your opinions about dogs and rehousing are valued, but just because it wasn't your way, does nt mean it was the wrong in this situation. I think your contribution about dogs on this forum is excellent and in my situation I have thanked you, but I think your last post to me and about our situation is unfair.

For anyone else interested we have had lots of updates today and all is well, thank you

Well said Blogging glad all is going well. :)

Blog (not that snoopy needs anyone to stand up for her ) when it comes to pets, we all have our own & different opinions. I have no idea about the best place for your dog, you've made an informed descision, hopefully you have complete confidence in your aunt & all will go well.

On a different note, my mum had a dog from, effectively, a pound. It didn't work for her & I found breed rescue with a foster home. I hope I did the right thing..I don't think you ever really know.

Blog you can not tell me what my emotions are or can be. I am right to feel despair. Everything even from your original thread heading shows you have so little knowledge of dogs. Help/advice please - our dog bit (nipped) the baby....is there only one answer? there are several answers of which you choose to take your own route despite not really understanding why it was the incorrect thing to do. The fact from the bite to rehoming only took 3 days can in itself only show how little you researched the new home.

However that is your choice but hopefully as this is a public forum I can post the recommend way of rehoming dogs so that if others find themselves in a difficult position they can go about it correctly.

I do despair as I see this kind of situation daily and am usually the one alongside 100's of other rescuers who have to pick up the pieces.

Thats all we can do willowisp. .

continuing on that note : On one livery yard I was at the YO was given a gsd as a "guard dog " and penned it outside. Problem was it barked at horses as well as people ..... and then she got fed up of all the barking in the busy yard. She said he was aggressive ( well given she was running at him threatening him and going to hit him to stop him barking it was no wonder .. and he reacted to anyone nervous going near him with fear himself)

He had been fine with me, I could go in with him no problem but she would not take up any of my offers of support / help. Within a few day she was threatening him pts and not willing to do anything with him herself. I immediatley said I could get him a new home and phoned a friend of mine very experienced in rehoming gsds ... she arrived that afternoon and he was taken away and was in his forever home for 10 years .

Whilst I think that many behaviourist do an excellent job and change the lives of dogs ( and other animals) by educating owners as well as working with the dogs themselves I still think that some experienced people can do right by animals in distress.

I would agree wholehearedly that many more people could be better owners for their animals if they learnt a bit more about animal behaviour and how behaviour modifcation / training works as well as how management of the environment can change behaviours.

Snoopyknine, what I have learnt in this process is it is impossible to give the full picture, so summaries are written and then judgments are formed, that is what I was contesting to, not your advice on dogs. But thank you and your comment of 'my so little knowledge' is where I will leave this thread.

I have to agree with Snoopy, I too am in the same situation, all being a bit different in Qatar. If anyone posts a picture of a dog on public sites about 50 people want it because it is "cute" Usually, 6 weeks later, either it is tied to the gate of the shelter during the night or one of us picks it up from the side of the road cowering. Obviously there is rehoming and rehoming...a close friend or family member in some cases but, for me, the main promise I make anyone who takes one of my strays is that until they have passed their probation, the dog still belongs to me and I can take it back at any time. Also, if they can't cope, just bring it back. Obviously I have the time and space to do this and am not attached to them (well not all of them) in the same way.
Snoopy may sound a bit harsh but it does grind you down and, sadly, experience of shit rehomes and crap adopters grinds you down. I don't think Snoopy was actually judging you personally, just trying to raise awareness. I sometimes sound so abrupt on the phone people ask if I actually want to rehome the dog at all. I don't mean to but have been bitten (by humans) too many times to recall.

well done on finding a solution for your family; no offence very relieved you did not take up Snoopy's offer re your dog - the solution you have found strikes me as the best one.

I might be a little late to reply but I went through the EXACT ordeal on May long weekend (2012) when our great dane puppy (11 months) nipped my 2yr old niece. It was a warning nip but still everyone panicked and my weekend was ruined.

We have 2 children (ages 5 and 8) and totally trust Max around them. When we got him, he was 3 months old and not socialized to the extent he should have been and was nervous. We immediately enrolled him in puppy classes and he was doing awesome. Then around May, he started nipping and we called the trainer to work on this issue. He wasn't vicious but because he is so big, a nip at face level to any child could result in severe injury.

Then, before our first training session, he nipped our niece. We had taken him camping, it was hot, he was in a strange environment and we made the mistake (as adults without thinking) to put her down right in front of Max while he was sleeping in the camper. Within seconds, he growled and nipped her under the eye (thank god she was fine, just a little nick). I was devasted and everyone panicked saying we had no choice to give him away.

The next day, we called the trainer who was amazing and told us that the saying "Let sleeping dogs lie" was created for a reason and agreed to see us and Max immediately.

After her assessment, she eased all our fears by saying Max is a great dog, but as he is entereing adulthood, behaviour issues are part of that development but there is hope. Max is insecure and needs to feel at peace in his own home. He is not to greet anyone at the door. He is to sit on his mat and wait for me to release him from that position (depend on who showed up) he could be there the whole time. If we have a lot of company at the hosue, he is to be crated. Not as punishment but as to reinsuring him, he is safe. He is only allowed in the backyard, so that he doesn't need to feel he is protecting the house and won't act as an "attraction" to neighbourhood kids. We also don't leave his side when people come over to visit and instruct them to ignore Max and not pet him.

We also enrolled him in a 12 week obidence training class. He is great around other dogs and loves it.

Our issue is now soothing family members fears and reinforcing he isnt unpredictable. My sister-inlaw in refusing you come to our place with her children (7 and 14) unless he is muzzled or crated. I have issues with that and I am not sure how to address it. She can't overcome her fears of him if he is out of sight and I don't like being told what I should do in my own home. He doesn't jump up, or bark or bother anyone.

Good luck with your dilemna, I know was and continues to be a stressful issue with us.