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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

gutted - one of my dogs just snapped at my lo

52 replies

janmk · 13/08/2013 21:01

lo is 14 months old. she has been trying to annoy the dogs a lot but this evening she only gave a stroke and got a lick. dh was standing right with them then my dog turned and snapped. she has a slight puncture/ scratch on her face that even though dh thinks they did not come into contact we cannot explain otherwise. We have another lo on the way .....where do we go from here ????

OP posts:

mypussyiscalledCaramel · 14/08/2013 11:52

This happened to my ds, although he was just pulling himself up by the sofa to start cruising, unfortunately he did it in front of one of my dogs.

The dog snapped at him, I think he was surprised, Ds still has a scar on his head.

My Oh was all for having the dog put down, but I knew an RSPCA lady and we took him to her and explained that we wanted him rehomed, but not with young children.

He was rehomed with an older couple, with no kids and they absolutely doted on him.

Sometimes it's better to rehome with information than to try and keep the dog, you will never be relaxed, even in the room.

Sometimes children don't learn.

belleandsebastian · 14/08/2013 11:53

I think you need to seriously consider approaching the dogs home you rescued your dog from and ask them to take it back.

Explain what has happened and that the dog is not suitable for rehoming with young children. They will assess your dog and rehome it with a more suitable family.

I know its difficult when you have a dog you love and want to keep but you need to consider your family may not be what is best for your dog.

Some dogs (my mum's dog is a good example) love kids playing with them and don't see it as annoying some dogs hate being pestered and snap. That doesn't make your dc a horrible child or you a bad dog owner it jut

TheMagicKeyCanFuckOff · 14/08/2013 11:57

Tbh, I don't care about blaming anyone, but it's obvious that now your child and dog should be separated. Rehoming your toddler isn't an option, rehoming the dog IS. Make sure the rescue centre (or people) you find to rehome are told about the reason and circumstances.

belleandsebastian · 14/08/2013 11:59

Oops silly phone ... It just means you are not suited.

You say your dog is improving as you put a lot of effort on can you really imagine having the time to do that with a toddler and little one to care for.

You have mentioned keeping them superset which isn't really realistic plus by doing that you are excluding your dog from your family.

I know you feel guilty about rehoming your dog but is maybe that is what is best for your family and dog.

I personally couldn't keep a dog after it snapped at a child as there is always the worry it will happen again.

Just thought I'd mention too your dd really needs to see a gp / minor injury unit for some antibiotics dog bites are really high risk for infection she may need antibiotics.

MissStrawberry · 14/08/2013 12:08

it isn't about being "perfect 100%" of the time but if you are not careful your child could end up seriously injured or dead. Your dog has had a tough start and is entitled to a home where he is going to be safe and not annoyed by a child. It is your job to teach your child the dog is an animal not a toy and make sure the dog can get the peace and space it needs.

sonlypuppyfat · 14/08/2013 12:47

Yes sit your toddler down and have a good chat with him about the dog....ffs!

primroseyellow · 14/08/2013 12:56

I don't understand why people with young children get rescue dogs when you can never know the dog's real history. It seems to me that if you want a dog and young children you should get a puppy (of a known to be reliabel breed) from a known and trusted source and train it well yourselves. Every rescue dog I've ever encountered has had 'issues' and the owners invariably used this as an excuse for its bad/aggressive/unpredictable behaviour.

mignonette · 14/08/2013 12:57

MissStrawberry makes sense. The dog deserves a home where it can be protected from unnecessary harassment. if you cannot keep the toddler (and the new one) away then an act of kindness would be to look for a more suitable home. Try to think of it as an act of love for your dog.

I do not think you are a bad parent or dog owner. But the decision you make could have far reaching effects further down the line and the worse phrase in the World would be 'If Only'....Seek advice from the RSPCA/Vet/The rehomers and keep them apart in the meantime.

I do feel for you OP I really do. What an awful situation.

LEMisdisappointed · 14/08/2013 13:15

This is all very well and good but rescue centres are struggling with finding homes for dogs without "issues" so the outlook for a dog that has "bitten" is going to be pretty bleak.

We don't know all the circumstances of what happened, just that the dogs are both rescues, both were "challenging" and one has snapped at a toddler. The OP herself has said that she isn't sure of what happened herself. Maybe the child trod on the dogs foot and its natural reaction was to turn and snap at the source of the pain - before it compute that biting would be wrong.

This was a wake up call, telling the OP to step up the supervision and to find a place of peace and quiet that the dogs can escape the children - it sounds like the dogs were there first.

There are usually lots of sensible posters who can give lots of training advice and talk about crates and space for the dog.

Morgause · 14/08/2013 13:17

I think the dog has to go. Your child's safety must be paramount, surely.

LEMisdisappointed · 14/08/2013 13:18

primrose - i have a rescue dog, he has absolutely no issues apart from being a spoilt brat (but thats my fault) so I have to take issue with all rescues have issues as that is clearly bullshit. I have also had a rescue dog with serious issues actually, two years later i had a baby, it was a difficult time which didn't have a happy ending (the dog got sick and died) I would never recommend taking on dogs wiht challinging behaviours with young children, however if you have dogs you have a responsibility towards the animal to make it the best home you can.

thegriffon · 14/08/2013 13:40

I'm surprised the rescue rehomed the dog with you as child is so young. Dog and child should be separate unless v closely supervised. Obv not supervised close enough in this instance as dog was able to nip. You were lucky as dog was just giving a warning that he'd had enough. Your child could have had her face bitten off.
I used to work in A & E and have never forgotten seeing a toddler with lips and part of nose bitten off by family dog. Child had been eating an ice cream and teasing dog

mistlethrush · 14/08/2013 13:46

My rescue dog had not a bad bone in her body. My new rescue dog has some issues, but we're dealing with them, and they're not ones that make her wrong to have with a child as long as the child is carefully watched.

Original poster

janmk · 14/08/2013 13:54

we had the dogs before the baby....and i do feel responsible towards all parties

OP posts:

LEMisdisappointed · 14/08/2013 14:07

Janmk its ok it was a mistake and thankfully not too bad you just need to baby proof and dog proof

libertine73 · 14/08/2013 14:16

I don't think you have to re-home,like a pp said, it was a warning, and it probably was because the child stood on the dog,or put weight on it, be extra vigilant (which I always am even with my soft arsed dog) if it seems the dog is stressed even when the child is just wandering around,you will have no choice.

primroseyellow · 14/08/2013 14:31

I'm with Giles Coren on the subject of dogs.

Original poster

janmk · 14/08/2013 14:40

usually they are best mates . lo throws all her leftovers to the dog and dog is generally waggy tailed and licky with lo. .....yuk. maybe she was just extra tired or felt cornered but yes we need to keep them separate more. we have two so the dog wont be lonely and with pet gates we should be able to work something. we have been working on 'gently ' and ' no' with lo but she just doesnt get it yet !

OP posts:

TakingTheStairs · 14/08/2013 14:54

primroseyellow your comment doesn't help anyone is this situation at all.

janmk I'm very sorry that you're faced with this situation. You love both your dog and your toddler and no matter what decision you come to, you know it will be upsetting. Just wanted to give you some support. xxx

TakingTheStairs · 14/08/2013 14:56

And primrose I refer to both of your comments when I say they're not helpful. Hop down off your high horse and maybe stay out of The Doghouse topic if you hate dogs so much.

countingto10 · 14/08/2013 16:23

Op I had a border collie who was there before the DCs. What worked for me was the dog in the kitchen with access to garden during the day behind a stairgate. The DCs were not allowed in the kitchen unless they were in a highchair or a playpen (saw the result of a kettle of boiling water over a small child when DC2 was having an minor operation involving plastic surgery ).

When the DCs were in bed (about 7.00pm) the dog was allowed to join us in the lounge. The DCs and the dog were allowed to mix under strict supervision. Not allowing the dog complete freedom in the house also reinforced his lowly position in the household IYSWIM.

I only had one close call with my dog and it was extremely upsetting. My DS1 who was about 3 and ASD leapt on my dogs back from behind so the dog couldn't see him and DS1 did it so quickly no one could stop him. It was also an extremely hot day, the dog had been on the go all day (long walk and playing in garden etc). My dog swung round in surprise and snapped at my DS1 with his teeth, DS1 screamed and dog was immediately subdued. DS1 had a red mark (not as bad as a graze) from a tooth. If my dog had meant business my DS1 would not have had a face left. It was not my dog's fault and just confirmed to me that I was right to keep them separated most of the time.

You know the setup in your house and whether you can conveniently seperate them most of the time - if not then you may have to re home, it just isn't worth the risk.

countingto10 · 14/08/2013 16:26

I would hasten to add that the incident with my dog took place at my mother's house, he would have been behind the staircase in my house.

Original poster

janmk · 14/08/2013 17:57

i feel gutted, like someone has died....if that makes sense. i dont really want to send her back to the rescue centre but is it cruel to have the dogs separate for most of the day ? when are children old enough to safely be around dogs and know how to behave around them ? we have gates, a playpen and a house which would easily allow for separation....
.i dont want to blow it all out of proportion.....

OP posts:

countingto10 · 14/08/2013 19:30

Lots of dogs live outdoors in kennels. Only a few years ago it was common for dogs to live outside. It has only been in recent years that they have evolved into "pets" before dogs were kept for a purpose.

I was (and still am) in and out of the kitchen all day so I was around the dog all the time. We are thinking of getting another dog in a few months and I have already decided that it will be restricted to the kitchen during the day like before. It suits me not to let a dog have the run of the house.

I personally don't think you have an option - it is separate them or re home the dog.

mistlethrush · 14/08/2013 19:40

I think that your dog has a better chance with you, in a different part of the house most of the time (until, for instance, the evening when you could have her back) than going back to the rescue.

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