Our dog has bitten DS - what can we do?

[BirdyArms]

This evening our 1yo saluki cross bit DS1 (11) on the face making a quite a deep puncture wound above his mouth. DS was lying on the floor next to dog stroking his ears, DS2 stepped over dog and he bit DS1's face without any warning growl. This came completely out of the blue, he has never snapped at the DSs before. He is quite an aloof dog and I realise has always tolerated being stroked rather than enjoyed it. Occasionally he has growled at DS1 (never at the rest of the family) and DS1 knows that he needs to leave him alone then. I was in the room and the boys definitely weren’t being cruel to him, and as far as I know have never been. We are staying at my mum’s for a few days and dog doesn’t really enjoy being away from home which I think is a factor.

Having talked it over with my DH we really don’t think that we can keep the dog. The boys love him and this isn’t an easy thing to decide, I have been in tears and am dreading telling the boys. We've had him since he was a puppy, from a rescue that found a pregnant dog so he hasn't had a traumatic life, and I feel that we have failed him but am not sure quite where we’ve gone wrong. We took him to training classes, socialised him by the book etc. But I know that if the boys were more badly bitten in the future, or if he were to bite any of their friends or cousins, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. I know from having read posts on here before that some of you will say that the DSs shouldn't touch him on the head, step over him etc. and I can see that this wouldn't have happened if we'd been stricter about these things. But I feel that now he has done this we have gone beyond that. I'm not sure that it's realistic to have a family pet that the children can't stroke.

I have emailed the lady who runs the rescue that we got him from but have just read on their website that they don't rehome aggressive dogs, so I don't think that they will take him. Is there anyone who will? He is a stunningly beautiful dog and I am often stopped by admirers. He's good in lots of other ways, calm and well behaved but he is generally nervous, despite being well socialised. It would seem dreadful to have him put to sleep but I'm not sure what other options there are?

I don't know where you are in the se but Kent Greyhound Rescue are a great place, very strong, loving training ethic and absolute sighthound specialists. They do a lot for sighthound welfare in general too. I can think of a lot worse places for a loved family pet to go to.

And yes, living where I do we get some proper dodgy interest in our own hounds. Think hunting, lamping, coursing, unregulated tracks etc. Steer clear of 3rd party selling sites.

How is DSs face today?

I would try these guys they will help you find a suitable home for him

But regardless he has to go, next time it could be worse and your child's face left with a big scar.

The saluki rescue will help

salukiwelfare.org.uk/contact_us.shtml

If you get another dog then don't listen to any trainer that spouts off pack theory. Its a load of bullshit.

Sorry he bit your DS must be very sad to grow attached to an animal then for this to happen.

I am a dog person - have spaniels and Labradors all my life. What I can never understand is people who say 'it's the owner not the dog' - in this instant it is quite clearly the dog's personality - nervousness and agitation that has led to him displaying aggression. You didn't give him the nervousness. Sometimes it is just the dog. And why is it more often than not a certain breed of dog? Which IT IS! I know staffies can be lovely, staffie-crosses are often involved in dog attacks, Jack Russell's can be nasty and Japanese Akitas can be done. You hear about the same breeds time and again. Sorry for the rant! I know all dogs can bite but come on, anybody out there who thinks they're a dog whisperer is just bonkers. They're animals. Just try and find one to suit your home and treat it well. A Labrador is a very good family pet and will let your children stroke it. You'd be unlucky to get a nasty Labrador.

Hope your DS is ok, not scarred in any way and can enjoy dogs again. Can you offer a replacement dog to soften the blow for when you're all ready?

Thanks - DS's face if heeling well. The rescue is being fantastic, we are going to keep him, but will seek some advice from a dog trainer, until a suitable home is found. I think they feel that I am being over-cautious, but I just am not willing to take the risk that it could happen again.

The DC are very upset (so am I), we really love him, have just taken him for a lovely walk in the woods.

Differentnameforthis - yes, I should have done more research on salukis, I did a lot of research on lurchers and thought that they were the perfect dog for us. He's not a designer cross though but a dog with an unknown father from a rescue. Honestly I think that rehoming him is a better outcome for the dog. If we kept him he wouldn't be able to come on the school run, to the park etc, would be shut away when other children visited which would mean a much more restricted life for him. He would be left at home on his own more which he doesn't enjoy.

I take him away for the weekend etc because he is very attached to me and really hates being left at home with a dog sitter so it is the lesser of two evils. I have elderly parents four hours drive away so it's not realistic to never go away from home. I don't understand the view that we should change our behaviour to keep him at all costs, eg banning the kids from interacting with him, never going on holiday, when he could be happier somewhere else.

Totally agree with foodiefil - doubt you've done anything wrong, just not a family dog.

Don't let anyone tell you that getting rid of a dog that has bitten your child is anything other than the right thing to do. Hard decision, but definitely the right one. Good luck.

Look up New Hope Animal rescue on FB. They will be able to help or at least point you in the right direction.

Horrible situation :(

Hello Birdy
I couldn't not post a reply to your OP. I know just how terrible you will be feeling right now as we have also been through this, albeit 5 ish years ago.
Our lovely setter, who we had had for 7 years and had never shown any aggression towards anyone bit our DC who was about 1 at the time on the cheek. There were two areas one of which was a big flap of skin 😮😭. We ad always been so bloody careful about not allowing the DC and dog to be together unsupervised but on this one occasion she 'slipped past us' and into the lounge where DC was, we will never be sure what happened but it's likely DC did something unpleasant to her as he was a generally very physical child.
Poor dog went and sat in her bed and didn't get out except to pee for three days. It was absolutely awful all round.
After that I felt we couldn't keep her, and I felt absolutely dreadful about it esp. Knowing that it most likely wasn't her 'fault'.
What we did, was we contacted a breed specific rescue. They were wonderful and found her a fantastic new home with another dog of her breed, with a family with no kids and no prospect of grandkids. New peop,le worked from home too just for icing on the cake. She went there and thrived.
I'm telling you this because I don't believe, as some others in the thread that euthanasia is necessary when a dog delivers what is in actual fact a fairly restrained 'bite' ( note not an attack, or multiple bites situation).
In an ideal work, dogs never bite but we don't live in a the real world and sometimes dogs get stressed and anxious and angry and then they row at the lay way they know how.
One thing I would say though is please consider going to your local walk in centre as there is a high risk of infection from even 'minor' dogs bites and they will prescribe prophylactic antibiotics for this.
In my Dc's case they wouldn't even close the wound due to the sink of infection, thankfully after five years you can hardly tell he was ever bitten, it's only when the light catches him a certain way.
Good luck. X

You are not being over cautious. And thank you LaPhauriseine (sp!!)

This dog, as much as you love it, is a dog and they bit your child. It is an animal. No amount of affection for it should make you feel any guilt towards the shelter or the people in the world who think they understand everything about dogs. Load of shite. They need to get over themselves and understand an animal is an animal. You can only take personality so far. Any risks in personality - especially those with definite evidence (a bite!) should be taken much more seriously. Good luck and take care

Our Saluki Lurcher cross bit ds on the face, seriously enough to need hospital and surgery.
Ds had sneaked up on the sleeping dog and bellowed in his ear. Dog reacted from fear and shock.
My initial reaction was to rehome the dog. Dog rescue agreed to have him back but would not rehome: he would have a life in kennels and none of us wanted that - poor dog was only 2 so had/has years ahead of him. Ds was distraught and wanted to keep his dog.
I paid (a lot) of money for a dog behaviourist, who assessed the dog thoroughly over several visits. The report stated that no sign of aggression was found at any point and that ddog was intelligent and capable of behaviour training. I paid for training by a known and qualified trainer and followed advice to create a safe space for the dog (in our case a crate, which he took to like a duck to water) and to muzzle him at all times he was around ds. He was taught to Leave It as a priority.
Two years on he is still with us. I no longer have to muzzle him as ds has grown up a bit and ddog has learned some lessons, plus he trots off to his crate when he wants peace and quiet. He is not 100% perfect and has terrible recall, so has to be on-lead at all times unless he's in a safe field, but has improved dramatically.
That said, I will never trust him around small, inquisitive children and do not allow relatives with tinies to visit unless I know I can put ddog outside in the car. I wouldn't trust v young children not to get into the crate with him.
It's been a challenge but we've managed.

letting your children stroke their dog isn't really up there with the people who let their children climb all over them or dress them up or any of the other ridiculous things people do It most certainly is when you KNOW that your dog doesn't like it.

I never suggested you should keep him at all costs! I said that because of your actions he now needs to be out of his comfort zone again. Which will be added stress for him. I think that he should be rehomed, in a home where people don't ignore his wishes when he is already stressed to the max.

Ignore the moaners OP.

Sorry you're going through this. You're not a bad person at all. I'm glad the rescue will take it off your hands.

While there are popular types/crosses of lurchers that have some expected traits they aren't all going to be same in way a pedigree breed .some are long line of lurcher x lurcher breeding unlike more modern trends of designer crosses these have long been bred for purpose. Much Like Greyhounds & Saluki's may look the similar physically but are quite different in nature. Saluki's tend to be more sensitive souls and easily upset, some can even shut down or sulk if spoken harshly too where many dogs wouldn't bat an eyelid and so training methods can need adjusting.

Your dog was likely already stressed being away from home and feeling uncomfortable with DS1 when DS2 climbed over which could be seen as threatening behavior & is blocking escape with DS1 also in his way, which maybe why he lashed out at him, sometimes its simply the nearest object in the way rather than a decision made about individuals involved.

We all make errors so i'm glad to see you haven't rushed the poor dog on a one way trip to the vets like some posters suggest . Sometimes with hindsight & insight of an expert we can see signs/behaviors that were misunderstood or missed. It maybe your home isn't the best place for this dog but it would be wise to learn where things went wrong especially if you intend to get another dog in future. Its easy to put it all onto breeding being wrong so will be fine if you pick a "common family breed" when its likely more a combination of factors involved.

www.lurcherlink.org/ have rehomed dogs in similar situation, just to adult only or least older teens home. www.jandjgreenwood.co.uk/Jim is often used by lurcher/sighthound rescues & owners, he's based in cheshire but he does travel round the country.

If you've not already you could muzzle train your dog and that may make you feel more at ease in meantime. Lurcher link sell a range in their online shop and the lightweight racing ones are more comfy & easily accepted, plus are softer when inevitably rubbed on you than greyhound box muzzles.www.lurcherlink.org/llink/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47289

I may have missed it if someone has mentioned it already... but I think your DS1 was simply in the firing line. It's not uncommon for dogs to dislike people stepping over them (particularly when they're sleeping and in this case I would say he was extremely relaxed so a similar state) as it makes them feel vulnerable etc. In saying this, a dog that is this reactive probably isn't a good family dog so rehoming is probably the best decision.

Some dogs are just born nervous, it's nothing you have done but personality plays a big part and you can't change genetics sadly. I have one exactly like this who I have owned from 3 weeks old, she was literally born scared of life

I would consult a behaviouralist and get a professional opinion before rehoming but if you can't seperate the dog and children and agree to change your lifestyle to accommodate a dog that could potentially snap I would not hesitate to rehome.

I kept mine as she bit a stranger and has never been aggressive to family but she has restricted my life so much that I do sometimes wish I could have a normal dog that could be trusted and I wouldn't judge someone for rehoming.

Sometimes people on annoy me calling for a dog not to be euthanised or rehomed but realistically the number of homes willing to take a dog that has bitten is very limited and I don't think people realise how restricting taking on one of these dogs is! Unless you own one it's really hard to put yourself in that situation and it's easier said than done.