Puppy trying to kill 5 year old

[Lau123lau]

My 17 week old pup has finally realised humans are not chew toys (for the most part anyway) but seems to think my 5 year old is still fair game. We have tried everything from shutting him in another room, yelping and distraction with toys/commands etc but he isn’t getting the message. He full on lunges at her so standing still isn’t an option as he is drawing blood on her arms and legs. They’re not left alone together but he can be asleep on the sofa one minute and she will move and within a split second he’s clamped to her leg (he’s a whippet so very quick). When we’re out walking him off lead, he will be running round the field one minute and next minute he’s after her again. We do put him back on lead as soon as this happens. I really need a solution as she’s becoming frightened of him. Is it possible he still thinks he’s above her in the ranks and if so, how do we put the little blighter back in his rightful place?

[TheCrowFromBelow]

If I lean over my dog whilst he’s on his back he expects a tummy tickle
Dominance is not really a thing, but by al means keep your dog off the seats if you can.
A stern “ah ah” and all fun stopping right away, backs turned and ignoring dog worked best for us but they are like sharks at that age and we were all dressed in rags.
I would keep him on the lead if he is doing it in the field and immediately take him away from your daughter at home.

[CalamityJane10]

We have exactly the same issue with working cocker pup and 5 year old. Trainer advised:

• House line at all times inside and never never ever unsupervised.
  
• DD must never chase pup if it gets toys etc and never take anything from pup’s mouth. Interactions must be calm.
  
• Have a crate.
  
• Outside (on long line) try to desensitise pup to 5 year old running and making noise (I.e. ask it to sit, stay etc whilst DD is running around).
  
• Firm “leave it” command and use it if pup is about to pounce.
  
• Ensure DD helps train pup. Get DD to ask pup to stay (if pup’s stay is good) and run a few feet then turn round and recall.
  

I can sympathise as it’s incredibly stressful and not the happy bond we wanted for DC and dog, but our trainer thinks this is still in realms of ‘normal’ puppy behaviour.

The above has definitely helped but I still can’t leave them alone for a minute.

[adaline]

If I lean over my dog whilst he’s on his back he expects a tummy tickle

Yep, mine too! If someone pinned him to the floor while he was in his most submissive/trusting pose he would probably lunge at them out of panic/fear.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

^^ What adaline said. Please ignore anyone who talks about hierarchy, pecking order, dominance etc. It's outdated and damaging. If your toddler was biting and drawing blood, you wouldn't be asking for advice on how to 'put him in his place.' The doggy world view is closer to that of a child than it is to the view of some imaginary, military wolf.

[missbattenburg]

I read that if you want to show your puppy who is dominant you need to lay him on his back whilst you lean over him.

If you want to show your dog you are unpredictable bully then this could well be a good way to do it. It might also be a really good way to ensure that this dog behaviour turns into full on aggression by teaching the dog that humans are to be feared.

Find yourself a really good trainer. They can observe the behaviour in person and assess what is at the root of it. They can also show you ways to keep the dog calm when your daughter moves - probably via a program of getting her slowly used to it and being rewarded whenever she stays still and calm.

In the meantime, leash the dog around her so you can stop this happening. The more often it happens, the more ingrained the habit.

I am not there and cannot see the dog but what you describe sounds within the realms of normal puppy/dog immaturity to me.

[megcustard]

Why on earth would anybody want to keep an animal that is mauling their own child? I will never ever understand the mentality of some people. Poor child.

[Foodylicious]

Agree with everyone else who has said get a professional in to assess the situation if you really don't want to try one straight away.

I don't think your dog should be off the lead around others whrn outside at all at the moment

[Wolfiefan]

Mauling? Drama much!
Puppies mouthe. Dogs don’t.

[adaline]

Why on earth would anybody want to keep an animal that is mauling their own child?

Why on earth are you commenting when you clearly have absolutely NO idea about puppy behaviour? Puppies mouthe, it's normal behaviour for them. Yes, it's painful and yes, you need to train them not to, but it's still normal.

"Mauling their own child" ffs. That's not what is happening here. This is a puppy behaving like a puppy.

[ILovePierceBrosnan]

Whilst I agree mauling is over dramatic a)the poster probably doesn’t have puppy experience and b) thread title says kill!

[Wolfiefan]

If the thread title were true the child would be in need of medical attention.

[adaline]

b) thread title says kill!

But it's clearly not meant literally. If the DD's life was in genuine danger, pretty sure the OP wouldn't be posting here!

[adaline]

@Wolfiefan I keep x-posting with you

[Pissedoffdotcom]

Not fully read all but please whatever the hell you do, do not pin, roll or in any other physical way try to dominate your dog ffs. Jesus. You will definitely have issues.

[Wolfiefan]

Hopefully between us two Adaline we will dampen down the hysteria and try and help the OP.

[megcustard]

OP said the dog is lunging at the child and drawing blood.

The child IS being mauled.

[tenbob]

I can't add anything that Wolfie and adaline haven't already said

All you hystericals fools calling to rehome a 'mauling dog' need to go and have a long look at yourselves
It's a puppy ffs
Do you suggest putting toddlers up for adoption when they bite their siblings

[Wolfiefan]

Lunging? Yes it’s a move pups do when excited or playing.
Drawing blood? Those teeth aren’t bloody sharp. It’s not sinking teeth into flesh. It has little needles that draw blood stupidly easily.

[adaline]

OP said the dog is lunging at the child and drawing blood.

The child IS being mauled.

No. The child is subject to NORMAL puppy behaviour. Their teeth are like needles when they're young. It's like kitten claws - sharp as buggery and really painful.

But the puppy is NOT being aggressive. He/she is displaying normal behaviour for a dog of that age. They all do it - bite, lunge, jump up, chew clothes and bite ankles. They explore the world with their mouth, and its our job as humans to teach them not to. But like children, they don't learn overnight. So in the meantime, they will still bite/nip and it will hurt.

The solution is to keep the pup on a lead so you can remove them from the situation without putting your hand anywhere near their mouth. They will grow out of it, it just takes a lot of patience (and plasters!)

[Wolfiefan]

Just as an aside.
This is why posters say “NOOOOOO!” to those who think getting a puppy and having a toddler is a good idea. Or getting one when on maternity leave.

[Lau123lau]

Well the title was kind of meant as a lighthearted joke to get attention and help, my puppy is obviously not attempting to kill my child or he would not still be in the house. I will not be rehoming him, he is a puppy and I am fully aware that puppies bite. He has bitten us all in play but has finally learnt that it isn’t acceptable but the methods we used (time out mainly) doesn’t seem to be working with regards to my youngest child. This isn’t happening every time he is with her, he is quite often curled up on her knee on the sofa, it’s usually when he’s playing and obviously gets carried away. I don’t think he is intentionally trying to hurt her and puppy teeth, as mentioned, are like needles and pierce skin easily! I think we will preserve with timeouts, leave it command and keeping them seperate at home and keeping pup on a long line when out walking. I will also look into a behaviourist if it doesn’t stop soon. He does attend puppy classes, is well socialised and on the whole, a lovely puppy.

[Racecardriver]

Just get rid of it. Sonething isn't working out clearly. Hardly fair to put your child at risk over a dog.

[SadieLancaster]

Please ignore advice that doesn’t come from Wolfie. Some really stupid things said about dominance and pecking order 🙄

[adaline]

Just get rid of it. Sonething isn't working out clearly. Hardly fair to put your child at risk over a dog.

Please never get a pet.

[Theyprobablywill]

Keep the cutest one, and rehome the other.