Dog nipped 4 year old

[Elderberry84]

I'm sorry if this sounds like a jumble, am still feeling very upset.

We have a 10 month old collie cross who we've had since he was a very young puppy. He's a lovely, affectionate dog, although we have been back and forth to a private trainer due to issues with walks (pulling and yanking -- and is so strong that only DH can now walk him as he would genuinely pull me over) which are still unresolved. Indoors he is generally very chilled, to the point of being quite lazy, and has until the last month or so had a very good relationship with our four year old.

I've noticed a shift, not in his general behaviour but in his patience with her over the last few weeks. Obviously I supervise and step in immediately if I feel my daughter is invading his space or annoying him in any way and I stop her immediately if she tries to wake him up when he is sleeping. But earlier on today I sat down for a coffee while daughter was watching cartoons; dog was dosing next to the sofa and daughter just cuddled into him while watching telly as she often does. He has never seemed to mind this in the past, but today he suddenly snapped at her cheek.

It wasn't a proper bite, and hasn't left a mark, although it hurt her and she was very upset. It seemed like a warning, but I'm so upset that it has happened and am now worried that if he will give a nip without even a growl of warning, he is quite capable of properly biting in the same manner. As mentioned above, I do closely supervise and always intervene / discipline daughter if she does anything I can see the dog is finding annoying and we discourage mouthy puppy play, but at the same time she is only 4 and there will I'm sure be moments in the future where she forgets herself. As this happened right in front of me and without warning I am worried that it doesn't make a difference whether or not she is supervised.

Has anybody experienced this before? I've spent the afternoon feeling like he is some stranger's dog and have kept them apart, am feeling quite tearful. Would it be worth going back to a trainer or should we be considering if we are the right family for him?

Please be gentle, I cannot believe I have even written about rehoming, as he is very much a member of the family. I feel a little bit in shock to be honest.

We had a collie when our DD's were younger.

She would pull on the lead a bit especially if cars passed when we were walking on the pavement. When she got to about 18 months old she started to growl at our youngest DD.

We took advice from a behaviourist. The pulling on the lead was quite easy to fix and the growling improved but she continued to do it occasionally. The behaviourist worked with the whole family and helped our DD's to understand what was acceptable and what they should not do, wake the dog while sleeping for example. She had her own bed, she would sit on the sofa with us in the evening but only when invited.

You say only your DH can walk the dog, is the dog getting enough exercise and what about mental stimulation?

We didn't consider rehoming, but looking back a collie probably wasn't the best breed for us.

Oh Vivienne. Sincere apologies, you must be traumatised if after talking nonsense someone tells you to shut up. Give it a rest, please.

You had the nerve to call somebody else rude. When the only person on this thread who has been rude is you.

I agree with anyone here who actually seems to know about dogs, your DD annoyed the dog and as PPs have suggested, don't let the dog sleep wherever he/she wants, get a bed or a crate (safe space) and train him/her to sleep there, that would also be easier for your DD to understand, when dog is in bed/crate - DO NOT DISTURB.

The dog was sleeping & your DD disturbed him. Seems very obvious. Everyone knows this should never happen. You need to supervise much better.

My parents had a (very well trained) collie cross , crossed with German shepherd when we were kids and none of us were ever nipped. Get a professional to help you with training. I also agree it's very strange you're unable to walk the dog yourself

They were set up to fail

The 4yr old should not be with a sleeping fog, until old enough to learn to let sleeping dogs lie

Most dogs do not like being “cuddled” it can stress them but they can learn to tolerate it.

If dog is asleep, make sure your daughter is not in the same room

Also, make sure you exercise him enough. Collies are gorgeous and I’d love one, but can only offer about 1-2 hrs walk a day which IMO for collie would not be enough (for my lurchers 1hr a day however is perfect)

Not this myth about collies and exercise again please, collies have no more need for miles of exercise than any other working breed, what they do have need for is mental stimulation, boundary work and chances to practice their self control and use their brains. And lots of time to sleep, rest and process their day.

As Polly says too much exercise can be detrimental, especially if the dog is already in a high arousal high adrenaline overstimulated state.

This situation needs professional support and also a series of pet gates to prevent unsupervised interactions.

Sounds like collies are better off on farms herding sheep rather than being trained to tolerate annoying kids.