Dog rescues for biting cockapoo

[drumst1ck]

So I'm looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for places which might take a 9 year old cockapoo who has recently nipped a toddler. She has always had some anxiousness but recently with lockdown and new grandchildren introduced, this has become much worse. The toddler was drawing with chalk and then turned to try and draw on the dog who then gave her a warning nip on the face. No skin was broken, it left a small bruise but we can't run the risk of anything happening again. (Both were being supervised closely before anyone jumps in with that).

I know rescues are often reluctant to take in dogs with issues to children but if anyone knows of any resources or places to help my search I would be very thankful!

Our mastiff however is young at 3 years old and will allow DS to chalk on him, dress him up and put sunglasses on him, despite me saying constantly will you respect the dogs space and boundaries. But I think the mastiff secretly likes it. They sleep together, are inseparable. Mastiff just seems far more tolerant though I always step in when play is getting a bit rough or excitable much to the dissappointment of DS and DDog. 🙄 and there my point was proven so eloquently.

The answer is not “we will respect the dog’s boundaries,” it’s “no. You will not put sunglasses on the dog. Now come away from the dog unless you can stroke him nicely, or throw his ball for him.”

Mastiffs have the capacity to do untold damage if they bite. Interestingly I was attacked by a mastiff as a 3 year old and the child of my parents’ friend was as well. And both times the attacks were completely unprovoked.

In my case the dog was tied up on a running wire, so as he jumped at me he knocked me out of the way or I would almost certainly have been killed. It was only afterwards that the owner admitted that he had been given the dog because it had previously bitten a child (again, unprovoked.) I was nowhere near the dog. We just walked past it.

Similarly the other child was attacked by the dog who did so much damage that she was facially disfigured for the rest of her life.

I am not afraid of dogs in any way shape or form, but certain breeds have the capacity to do far more damage than others, and mastiffs are one of those.

Would they help even after nearly a decade??
They really should. And they should have the chance to do so.

On a practical note, is this a totally new behaviour from the dog or have there been worries before? If so, a full health check at the vets should also be done to rule out any other pain issues with the dog that might be impacting its behaviour.

Rehome and grandchild and keep the dog.

@toocold54 it's been about a month since the incident and the dog has been separated from the toddler since. Parents have thought for a long time about what to do but sadly have decided that rehoming would be best option for all parties (not just because of the incident).

Rehome the grandchild and keep the dog even!

@FeatheredHope she's always been anxious but it turning into aggression is new. She's had a health check at the vets and they told us there wasn't anything for concern. Will get in contact with the breeder, thanks!

I’m glad you’re getting you’re arse handed to you OP.
Poor dog. Selfish humans.

I don’t say more as I don’t want to be deleted but fuck me, I’d wipe the floor with you and your parents in real life.

I'm going to be unapologetically presumptuous here but if OP is at her parents most days I assume she's doing some kind of caring which requires a lot of her time and attention, and probably means her parents aren't quick to react either.

The dog may well just be giving warning nips but as OP needs to have quick access to her child and her parents then the sensible decision is to find somewhere that will look after the dog out of that environment.

I love my dogs to pieces but they don't come above my own family.

And why should it be justified as "only a nip"? Why does it have to be a full on laceration before any action is taken?

OP I think you're doing the right thing.

Most local shelters, even if they can't help, may have resources for another that can.

@SupermanWithTheGreyHair thanks. Really don't understand how you can say stuff like that to people you don't know and only have a small snapshot of the situation. But I suppose a screen is easy to hide behind isn't it!

Thanks for all those who've given recommendations. I've got a good starting point to work with so much appreciated.

[quote drumst1ck]@SupermanWithTheGreyHair thanks. Really don't understand how you can say stuff like that to people you don't know and only have a small snapshot of the situation. But I suppose a screen is easy to hide behind isn't it![/quote]
Likewise a screen is easy to hide behind when admitting that you’re a poor excuse for a dog owner who wants to displace a dog after 9 years enclose you can’t control your bloody children.

I hope the dog gets a good home and you / your parents never own animals again. It’s disgraceful

@AlternativePerspective

Our mastiff however is young at 3 years old and will allow DS to chalk on him, dress him up and put sunglasses on him, despite me saying constantly will you respect the dogs space and boundaries. But I think the mastiff secretly likes it. They sleep together, are inseparable. Mastiff just seems far more tolerant though I always step in when play is getting a bit rough or excitable much to the dissappointment of DS and DDog. 🙄 and there my point was proven so eloquently.

The answer is not “we will respect the dog’s boundaries,” it’s “no. You will not put sunglasses on the dog. Now come away from the dog unless you can stroke him nicely, or throw his ball for him.”

Mastiffs have the capacity to do untold damage if they bite. Interestingly I was attacked by a mastiff as a 3 year old and the child of my parents’ friend was as well. And both times the attacks were completely unprovoked.

In my case the dog was tied up on a running wire, so as he jumped at me he knocked me out of the way or I would almost certainly have been killed. It was only afterwards that the owner admitted that he had been given the dog because it had previously bitten a child (again, unprovoked.) I was nowhere near the dog. We just walked past it.

Similarly the other child was attacked by the dog who did so much damage that she was facially disfigured for the rest of her life.

I am not afraid of dogs in any way shape or form, but certain breeds have the capacity to do far more damage than others, and mastiffs are one of those.

Alternative perspective trust me I say no more than I say yes as a parent. But when I return to the living room from the kitchen after putting some pasta on to find the dog in a party hat the horse has already bolted. 🤷🏻‍♀️

They have to live together I can't permenantly exclude the mastiff from cohabitation. There are times in the day when they are both left alone for a minute or two, I'm not taking the mastiff to the toilet with me or the 6 year old!

Any breed dog can cause horrific damage, I once knew a toddler that needed facial plastic surgery thanks to a chihuahua.

I would also look into places that specifically take on older dogs or people who foster them until they find a new home (I’m not sure of any names but I’m sure there are places) as I think a kennels would be too stressful for a 9 year old dog especially if it has a history of anxiety.

But I suppose a screen is easy to hide behind isn't it!

I would happily say the same and more to you in real life. I have done it before as part of a rescue I’m involved with. I’ve seen too many dogs be completely devastated by being dumped in this way. Some just don’t recover. It may be hard to hear, but it’s true.
Some people simply shouldn’t have animals.

[quote drumst1ck]@SupermanWithTheGreyHair thanks. Really don't understand how you can say stuff like that to people you don't know and only have a small snapshot of the situation. But I suppose a screen is easy to hide behind isn't it![/quote]
Because when you take on a dog, they are for life, not just until they become inconvenient. The dog is telling you it doesn't like small children too close. It should be allowed express that. In another 6 months your toddler will be at an age where they can better understand they need to leave the dog alone.
The dog will still be sitting in a kennel waiting for a home, having lost the only one its known all its life.
Surely the situation can be managed and the child can be taught to leave the dog alone-always.

@drumst1ck pup cakes in Boston lincs take dogs with a history of biting. Very active on Facebook and they have a lot of cockapoos

And why should it be justified as "only a nip"? Why does it have to be a full on laceration before any action is taken?

The honest answer is 'because it's a dog and nipping is a normal form of canine communication'. Not all dogs do it, but it is a perfectly normal part of a normal dog's way of communicating. A nipping dog is just doing what dogs do.

By all means, if you don't like the language, don't live with the animal. Similarly, if you don't like it, do whatever is ethical and reasonable to reduce the chances of the dog needing to use it as a form of communication.

In the same way, if I dont want to be kicked by a horse, I will either
a) not keep a horse
OR
b) not give the horse reason to kick, e.g. not walk directly behind it

If I don't want to be scratched by a cat I will either
a) not keep a cat
OR
b) not do anything that could cause the cat to scratch, such as try to hold it in a cuddle

A dog that nips is not a bad dog. It's just a dog. If you don't want an animal that uses it's mouth as a tactile form of communication, getting a dog would seem counter productive.

Leaving the thread now as I've found a good starting place. This is the last thing we wanted to do but there are other situations which mean rehoming is the best option. It's not being done lightly and for all those angry at me, please consider that you only know half the story.

👋

Hi op, unlike some of the teeth gnashing PP's I have actually read your updates and can see the awful position you are in.
Apart from the lack of supervision are your parents actually capable of meeting the needs of the dog now ? If not then finding her a new home that can is kinder for her.

OP is leaving the thread, because despite drip feed PMs to try and justify the dumping of a pet, it’s not washing with anyone.

There’s oldies.org.uk. They rehome older dogs. Sounds difficult for everyone involved.

Any breed dog can cause horrific damage, I once knew a toddler that needed facial plastic surgery thanks to a chihuahua.

Honestly, if you would be no more worried about your child being bitten by a Mastiff than you would be a Chihuahua, you are spectacularly misguided. At least there might be enough of the child left to do plastic surgery on with the Chi.

(And no, I don't think all mastiff types are 'bad', but to not acknowledge their increased ability for damage is naive at best, stupid at worst.)

@Derbee

OP is leaving the thread, because despite drip feed PMs to try and justify the dumping of a pet, it’s not washing with anyone.

Drip feed PMs?

Surely she should be posting all relevant factors on the thread itself!

@wetotter the OP sent me a message saying I shouldn’t comment on her situation, it was so difficult etc etc drip feeding about all the reasons why she feels they’re justified to dump the poor dog!!

I’ve blocked her.