My dog has bitten my DS

[georgie262]

My dog who is usually wonderful with my children has just bitten my 8 year old DS hard on the stomach. The situation was my son was stood up giving me a high five because he'd just got his spellings right and the dog bit him as he went in to high five me. He's not broken the skin but it's hard enough to leave a mark. I also have two younger children. I don't know what to do because I'm in shock. My DS is in tears because he thinks we'll have to get rid of the dog. But the bite floored him. I don't really know where else to go for advice except to call my vet in the morning???

[Span1elsRock]

What a shock for you all.

I'd stay calm tonight, then take DS to see practice nurse in morning to see if he needs a tetanus jab and book dog in at vets to see if there is anything wrong with him.

One step at a time.

[DriftingLeaves]

You cannot risk that dog around children.

It needs to be rehomed or put to sleep. Keep your children safe.

[TooMuchPeppa86]

What happens if you take your child to hospital for a dog bite? If it’s quite severe will they raise concerns?

[NerrSnerr]

I was once nipped by a dog and the walk in centre prescribed antibiotics for something like 2 weeks as they said it was a high infection risk so that'd be my first port of call (I'd give out of hours a call).

[Salene]

What type of dog is it.? Is it a large dog that if it did seriously turn on your child could it potentially kill him.? Or are we talking a very small type of dog.?

If it is a medium or large dog I 100% would not have that dog near children again. Unfortunately dogs and kids aren't always a good mix and I believe your child has to be your No1 priority. Could the dog be rehomed to maybe a relative or friend with no children.? If it's a breed of dog could you could try a breed specific rescue and explain what's happened .? They might be able to rehome to a experienced childfree home .

Worst case though the dog may need pts :-(

[YouJustDoYou]

Your ds needs to see a gp re infection. That bite...that's not a play nip. He's gone for you son. Can you really risk that again?

[Ihatefootball86]

I would rehome the dog in your situation, and see the vet to rule out any problems before you do. Could you ever really relax now? Nip off to the loo ect or go and brush your teeth whilst leaving them in the same room as the dog? Children scream and get over excited. Can you risk it?

[KnickerBockerAndrew]

Really shocked by some of the reactions on here. Your dog bit your child and it broke the skin! Whether it was a warning bite or playing or whatever, your dog is a threat to your kids' safety.

[Gingaaarghpussy]

I rehomed my dog after he bit my son while he was cruising the furniture. My son popped up unexpectedly in front of the dog.
I also specified that the dog should go with someone that had no young children. Last I heard the dog went to a mature couple with adult children.

[adaline]

That's not playing - that looks very sore, your poor DS

Vet trip first of all to make sure the dog is medically well, then you need to think about what you want to do going forward.

Rehoming would be an option but you need to be 100% honest about the fact that he's bitten. Unfortunately some rescues won't take dogs that bite.

[Maneandfeathers]

I think you need to separate the dog and child and get advice from a qualified behaviourist before doing anything else.

Sounds like resource guarding to me and it’s something that’s a hard problem to deal with.

Sounds patronising but can you read dog behaviour well? Has he shown any signs of guarding you or being uncomfortable with people around you previously? Is he a fearful type of dog?

What type of dog is he?

[wishingforapositiveyear]

What breed is dog ?!

[TheRobinIsBobbingAlong]

The first thing I'd do is get medical treatment for my son in case of infection.

Second, make an assessment about the situation. What type of dog is it? Is it a medium/large breed? How old is it? How old are the younger children? If your dog bit again and clamped its jaws, would you be able to prize them open? What if the dog bit your DS again, or one of the other children, and did more damage - caught their face/lip/eye for example. Do you have the ability to keep the dog separate from the children whenever you're not in the same room? Could you forgive yourself if there was another incident?

No matter how much you or the children love the dog, if there's the slightest chance it could happen again then your only choice is to have the dog rehomed.

[OctoberLovers]

Your child needs to see a doctor.

The dog needs to go

[georgie262]

Okay everyone! My son is medically sorted! He's not going to die of an infection, we've had medical advice. I have a plan for my dog. I appreciate all your opinions, thank you.

[SilverChime]

My childhood dog once bit my leg because I was poking and irritating him. My aunt’s dog bit me because 4yo me took his bone away. And my dog once bit DF when he stupidly poked his face in her face and she snapped at his nose. None of those dogs ever bit again. So I don’t think it’s necessarily the case that the dog is a “biter” and needs to be got rid of. Respect and training is the answer.

[Newmumma83]

@georgie262 good luck , I am sure it was a mistake, try a dog behaviouralist / trainer
My dad is one and I have seen him turn impossible dogs into loving and trust worthy animals and your fur baby doesn’t sound like a dangerous animal in general.

Hope all sorts it self out x x

[Pinkyyy]

And what is that plan?

[Jeleste]

I know you have it sorted, but i just wanted to share because something similar happened to us.
DC was running around crazy in the house and tripped over our small dog (5kg). Child fell on top of the dog and he turned around and snapped at the child. Child had quite a deep bite mark from it.

We kept the dog for 2 reasons mainly

1. It was a reaction. I dont think he saw DC coming and was scared/felt attacked when the child fell on him.
   
2. Its a pretty small dog and the harm he can do if it was to happen again is limited.
   
   This happened about 3 years ago and we havent had an incident since. He really is the most gentle and patient dog with kids and i never in a million years would have thought he could do something like this. But they are still animals and they react to instincts in certain situations.
   
   I dont think getting rid of the dog is always necessary. Its hard to judge the situation without seeing it. I think you know your dog best and why he did it and also what the chances are of it happening again. But if you do have a bad feeling and dont trust the dog fully anymore, then i dont think its worth putting your kids at risk.

[georgie262]

@Pinkyyy I'm going to give my son a stick and let him poke the dog repeatedly to see if he retaliates.

[MoonbeamBonnet]

Oh how wonderful that you got medical attention and a plan for the dog of breed you won’t specify so quickly! Must be a relief that everything was sorted to easily without having to worry about it.

[georgie262]

@MoonbeamBonnet he's a cockerpoo

[Pinkyyy]

That's it, you make your funny little remarks. I hope you can still make them when your animal bites your child for a second time.

[georgie262]

@Pinkyyy you don't know what I'm doing with my dog because I've not told you. So make all the assumptions you like.

[Pinkyyy]

My guess is you're doing sweet F all.