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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Urgent help needed please - dog bit toddler.

312 replies

WheresMaHairyToe · 10/07/2017 23:11

Rescued my dog 7 months ago, he was a stray and is between 3 and 5 years old. Lab/ lurcher type mongrel.
He has been wonderful - quick response to training in the home, not quite 100% on toileting but getting there, fantastic with my kids (all over 8.)
Today, we were at the beach for a couple of hours with my 3 plus 5 assorted niece and nephews. Dog completely fine.
Got home, everyone settled, kids playing in garden. Dog took himself to bed in another room. 2 year old niece followed. Nobody witnessed what happened, but niece was bitten on the face. Small cut and bruising - bad enough!
My brother wants the dog out of my house. He isn't insisting on PTS. I rang 4 shelters, all said he was not able to be rehomed, so would be destroyed.
I've put him in kennels to give us all some breathing space, and am waiting on two shelters calling me back. He had never shown a single sign of aggression before this, but apparently did not growl before biting. My brother got to him seconds after the bite, and said he was also aggressive to him.
I got home about 10 mins after bite to a very unhappy dog.
I am heart broken, I don't know what to do. I am considering building him an outdoor run and muzzling him when he's near children, but that seems awful.
Sorry if this is incoherent. I'm in a bit of a state!
Please help with advice if you can! Or if you know of a no- kill shelter anywhere in NI.

OP posts:
bbpp · 12/07/2017 23:58

I would rehome to a calmer household - a retired couple perhaps, with no young grandchildren?

Yes, the dog was being hassled. I would not suggest it was put to sleep as it's not as though it had out of the blue attacked someone (think the cat saviour clip), as far as we're aware.

However, family dogs need to be able to deal with a certain amount of family behaviour - which includes long days out and children around. I'm very cautious around dogs so would not leave one unsupervised - but this dog was even aggressive with the adult who had not done anything.

The dog, wanting to take itself off, was clearly overwhelmed by a busy trip to the beach. It's not fair to expect that of him if that makes him nervous, even if you're able to avoid an actual attack/warning bite usually.

Rehome him with someone who has a lifestyle that doesn't stress him out. Allow everyone to relax.

For contrast, I had done similar to our pet dog as a child. Climbed into his bed and harassed him when he wanted to be alone. He growled. He did not bite my face. The dog is too risky for the OP's situation, he'd likely be happier in a more relaxed environment.

GinIsIn · 13/07/2017 07:25

That's great! When does your DB start training to properly supervise his child?

Orangebird69 · 13/07/2017 10:10

Exactly Fenella. Op, I'm so glad you've decided to keep your dog. By all means get a crate as much as I hate them if it gives the dog a safe space and a physical boundary for children to see BUT the problem to rectify is not yours. It's your brothers. He needs to 'rectify' his supervison skills. Angry

Gingersstuff · 13/07/2017 10:44

OP, massive well done. Great news for your dog and your family, and a sensible outcome all round.
I have a Romanian rescue who has fear aggression and has bitten (not a child as we've never ever let him anywhere near a small person, and our DC are teens now). We just manage him and his environment very carefully, have systems in place for visitors and all is good. Best of luck to you and well done again Flowers

Dawnedlightly · 13/07/2017 10:45

So pleased Flowers

fleshmarketclose · 13/07/2017 12:06

Great news OP very happy for you and your dog Flowers

mistlethrush · 13/07/2017 14:48

If you need help with a muzzle that is ideal for a lurcher, try here... lurcher muzzles and sizing assistance

SparklingRaspberry · 13/07/2017 16:25

I'm glad you're not rehoming but Why are you forcing a muzzle on your dog?

It hasn't done anything wrong!!!

Instead of muzzling it, keep children away from your dog when it wants to be alone and you won't have a problem.

And tell your brother to watch his kids

mistlethrush · 13/07/2017 17:28

Raspberry - perhaps she's going to get the dog used to a muzzle so that, in instances like, for instance, on the beach with lots of children around, she can put a muzzle on just as an additional bit of safeguarding - safeguarding her dog's future as well as any children that might pester it.

My lurcher has a muzzle but she only wears it when she's out playing wtih a whole bunch of other lurchers - it's just so much safer with lots of fine coats and easily ripped skin.

LilCamper · 13/07/2017 18:07

What the heck is wrong with a muzzle?! As long as a dog is conditioned to wearing one they are fine. My Lan wears one on some walks so he can pick up and eat dodgy stuff. Google 'The Muzzle Up' project.

LumelaMme · 13/07/2017 18:11

Good news, OP. Good luck with your dog.

vichill · 13/07/2017 18:19

Nothing wrong with a muzzle for an hour or two a month. What is wrong is a person living with a facial scar all their life because of feckless adults.

Veterinari · 13/07/2017 20:25

Raspberry please read the links I posted above - there doesn't need to be any forcing involved with a muzzle!

Mcakes · 13/07/2017 23:16

Always appreciative of owners who make the difficult decision to muzzle train their dogs and I never, ever make assumptions.

In my experience muzzled dogs are mostly sighthounds who are soft as butter but get over involved in a chase or labs/springers who will eat anything. A muzzle to me mainly signals an aware and engaged owner.

Have only met a handful of dogs that are muzzled for aggression and again I give nothing but kudos to the owners for taking care.

I have been considering it for our collie cross who has never bitten but can be a bit anxious and leash reactive. My thinking is that a muzzle (properly fitted and gently trained) can be a convenient shorthand for 'please stay away from my dog".

KoalaDownUnder · 14/07/2017 03:57

Mcakes, I so wish that more people thought the way you do.

In my experience muzzled dogs are mostly sighthounds who are soft as butter but get over involved in a chase...A muzzle to me mainly signals an aware and engaged owner.

This is my dog to a T. The best nature you'd ever find - LOVES all humans. Have literally never seen her growl, snarl, or show a single sign of bad temper. BUT - her recall has been a massive challenge (rescue dog adopted as an adult). I don't trust her 100% around cats or smaller dogs.

I am working on getting her used to the muzzle, but I've seen some ignorant reactions towards muzzled dogs that really worry me. 🙁

ShmooBooMoo · 14/07/2017 04:30

Oh, that's fantastic news, OP! Big respect to you! :)

Veterinari · 14/07/2017 14:00

I have been considering it for our collie cross who has never bitten but can be a bit anxious and leash reactive. My thinking is that a muzzle (properly fitted and gently trained) can be a convenient shorthand for 'please stay away from my dog".

Absolutely! In my experience dogs with muzzles get a lot more space which is great if they're anxious.

Alcea · 14/07/2017 14:13

You don't know if the 2yo provoked him, but what concerns me is that the dog was also aggressive to your brother, after he had bitten his dd?

Branleuse · 14/07/2017 14:16

Are you waiting for the dog to REALLY do some damage first?

KoalaDownUnder · 14/07/2017 14:25

What a nasty and unhelpful comment, Branleuse.

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 14/07/2017 18:10

Branleuse & Alcea

RTFT - op has been very responsible and put in place multiple measures to ensure young DC can't hassle the poor dog again, thus ensuring the safety and welfare of both dog and any young visiting DC.

Also the dog did not bite / try to bite ops brother and an angry man storming in would be terrifying for any dog. I bet most dogs would react a bit negatively to the brother storming in.

user1493630944 · 14/07/2017 20:09

It is not fair to either dog or new owner to rehome a dog that has bitten a 2 year old's face. Sadly the only responsible decision is PTS.

Nancy91 · 15/07/2017 01:02

No, the responsible option is to keep the dog away from kids. PTS won't somehow unbite the kid, so just keep them apart in future. Whoever left a little kid with a dog unsupervised is responsible and beyond stupid.

NikiBabe · 15/07/2017 13:13

You dont know how old the dog is. You cant even toilet train him 100% after 7 months though he is an adult dog. He has bit a child in the face and this is what you do?

What is it with dog lovers they are positive to a fault.

A dog you've had for 7 months versus your baby niece.

I hope your brother never speaks to you again.

I wouldn't.