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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

Dog has just bitten me and I'm devastated

80 replies

OnTheBayou · 25/08/2019 20:54

He was just lying half under the sofa with his head out which is where he chills out in the evening, he was awake and I went to stroke him and he bit my hand. Not really hard, he didn't draw blood. But he didn't even growl as a warning. His behaviour has been getting worse and worse since I had a baby, he's snapped at me twice in the last week before actually biting me today. Had him since a puppy and he's always resource guarded but recently he's tried to nip me when putting his lead on etc.

I always despised people who got rid of their dogs after having a baby and now I feel like that's going to be me. I'm so upset. I know there's behaviourists and training etc and I'm going to take him to the vets so make sure it's nothing physical but I feel like I can't trust him to ever be in the same room with the baby even when I'm there. Baby is crawling and cruising and moves fast and loves the dog- wants to cuddle him- but have to keep them both separate always. Obviously I'd never leave them alone together but I feel like even supervised it's not ok. He loves attention and wants to be with me all day so I hate the idea of shutting him out of rooms. I always thought he was good with kids but I feel like he's so unhappy now we have one.

OP posts:

slipperywhensparticus · 26/08/2019 20:11

Ignore skittlenommer talking shite your doing the right thing for the dog

caringcarer · 26/08/2019 20:30

Could it be the heat that is bothering your dog? It sounds like the dog may be jealous of the attention the baby gets. When baby naps give your dog your undivided attention. Make sure it is getting plenty of exercise, not just running around garden but walks with you. I would be keeping dog and baby in separate rooms with doors closed and go between them both. Before you had your baby you had your dog who clearly wants your affection. Your dog bit you to show you it is unhappy as it wants more of your attention and affection. If it had wanted to hurt you it would have drawn blood.

Chelsea567 · 26/08/2019 21:09

I would rehome him. Biting is never ok and if you have a baby about to be a toddler... sorry no way I would keep him.

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 26/08/2019 21:51

Is it a springer spaniel. I had one that turned aggressive. Even with vets help and a behaviourist help he just got worse. When he jumped off the sofa and went for my sons neck I knew it was time. I cried and cried

actuallyquitesmall · 26/08/2019 22:07

I'd rather have the baby rehomed than my dog!

Really?
How very odd.

Luckingfovely · 26/08/2019 22:18

I've been in this position - and the next thing that happened was that we ended up in A&E with the baby.

You have to get rid of the dog, immediately, otherwise you are risking your baby's health, and possibly life.

Luckingfovely · 26/08/2019 22:21

Sorry if that sounded harsh - I do know how completely heartbreaking it is to have to get rid of your beloved dog.

But I can promise you one thing: it's not as heartbreaking as watching your baby going into surgery after it's been bitten.

queenqueenqueen · 26/08/2019 22:40

I think you need to rehome him, not worth risking and would be fairer on the dog. Sending hugs 💐

Skittlenommer · 27/08/2019 04:58

@actuallyquitesmall I'd rather have the baby rehomed than my dog

Really? How very odd

It was dogs home first. Dogs are family members too and shouldn’t have to lose their home and family just because a baby comes along!

Lymehouse · 27/08/2019 05:27

I’d rather have the baby rehomed than my dog!

Grim.

Lymehouse · 27/08/2019 05:31

It was dogs home first. Dogs are family members too and shouldn’t have to lose their home and family just because a baby comes along!

The dog is potentially 'losing it's home' because, as a biting 'family member', it poses a threat to other family members. Adults (in this case the bitten OP) and children.

OrangeSwoosh · 27/08/2019 05:35

You're doing the right thing keeping them totally separate and managing the situation in the short term.

Next job is vet check to rule out anything physical. No decent behaviourist will see you without one. Once that's done, your vet can refer you to a suitably experienced and accredited behaviourist.

Spaniels can be like this. Not sure what he is but cockers are known for resource guarding and springers can be nervous. It may well be that these issues can be worked on and resolved, or it may be that you just aren't the right home for him any more. If the latter is the case, a good behaviourist will work with you to find a suitable home (they usually have good contacts for dogs with issues that need management/resolution, agility/obedience homes etc.)

It's hard but he doesn't sound like a happy dog right now. If rehoming is the best option, you'd be doing it as much for him as yourselves.

GreekOddess · 27/08/2019 05:36

So Skittle are you actually suggesting that the OP contacts Social Services and asks if they will take her child into care?

Goatinthegarden · 27/08/2019 06:00

There is a theory that spaniels can suffer from a condition called Sudden onset Aggression.

Growing up, we had a number of spaniels at one time. One day, one suddenly started turning aggressive towards the younger spaniels so we started separating them. We went on holiday and the dogs all stayed with the breeder for a couple of weeks (I was about 13, the dog was probably about 4). She was insistent that he had SOA and that he should be removed from the pack and placed with her friend who had no children or pets. We continued to visit him, but there was definitely something different about him. Worth a chat with the breeder maybe?

CokeZeroHero · 27/08/2019 07:16

@Skittlenommer so, you'd now be on the phone to SS would you? Asking for them to come and get the baby?

Or was it just a really twatty comment to make?

Honestly some people shouldn't have internet access. They simply can't be trusted. Bit like this dog

user1494670108 · 27/08/2019 07:35

Rehome, it's the right thing for all of you you including the dog

DarkNoise · 27/08/2019 07:41

Maybe your mum and dad should have done that to you when you were a baby @Skittlenommer! Give you to care and kept the family pet, eh?

We had to rehome a much loved kitten because my DD was suffering of terrible allergy from him, and the person in the cats protection league suggested we got rid of DD and kept the cat! So it's a thing amongst some nutters! Pet-caused adoption & fostering!! 😂

Anyway, getting back to the OP's question, I would rehome the dog as soon as possible, giving caveats to the new home, as some PP have pointed out. The risk is just too high and not really worth living with in my opinion.

Happyspud · 27/08/2019 07:44

I’d rehome, you’ve a long way to go risking your child all that way with a dog that even bit you!

And I’d also take a learning from this about judging others who rehome for very very valid reasons.

TheoriginalLEM · 27/08/2019 07:49

I would rehome him, and like you, i hate it when people rehome due to a new baby. BUT he is unhappy and if he is nervy, imagine how that will be when your baby starts twiddling and running about?

Absolutely vets first, they may be able to recommend local rescue that can find him a new home.

I really feel for you but you have to put your baby first AND consider your dog, he sounds like he needs an adult only home. That doesnt make him a bad dog or you a bad owner.

nrpmum · 27/08/2019 07:53

For all of those bitching @Skittlenommer I expect she was being sarcastic. Too many people give up on their dog before making any form of effort with vets, behaviourist's or trainers.

Most of you have already jumped to re-home without suggesting it. Although if OP hasn't already consulted a trainer over resource guarding I'm not surprised the dog nipped.

OP glad to hear you are seeking advice before you make a decision.

cindersrella · 27/08/2019 07:56

It was dogs home first. Dogs are family members too and shouldn’t have to lose their home and family just because a baby comes along!

What a comment.. yes they are family however they are a dog.
So what would you do? Throw away the baby because the dog isn't keen...

Reallybadidea · 27/08/2019 07:56

Ignore skittlenommer. They like to troll pop up on threads saying how children ruin everything. Slightly odd to spend so much time on a parenting website if you're "child-free by choice". I can only assume that they are a troll evangelical about their lifestyle.

Feel for you OP. It sounds as though you're doing everything you can to make this work.

converseandjeans · 27/08/2019 08:04

Is dog still getting enough exercise & attention? We have springer/collie cross and he needs 3 walks a day.

BetterEatCheese · 27/08/2019 08:09

These dogs are such fierce guarders. My friend had a sprocker who was on her third home, started going for her, and drew blood a couple of times. She then bit her daughter in the face and drew blood. It was so scary and I'm afraid the dog was re homed.

DarkNoise · 27/08/2019 08:18

"Too many people give up their dog without making any effort".

I think it's this sort of judgy pants and misplaced sense of loyalty that actually stops people seeing warning signs for what they are. Our first duty of care is to our offsprings, our families. We have put these babies into the world. We owe them a safe home where they can grow healthily and without fear. I was sorry to see our cat go but was even sorrier seeing my DD unable to breathe. I know where my priorities lie.

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