Puppy attacking child

[Theresapigupmynose]

We have a 5 month old puppy who is proving very difficult and stubborn to train. We've had a dog trainer help with most of it but yesterday he bit my 7 year old DS on the face with no warning. The dog was chewing on a toy on the sofa and my DS went to sit down too and the dog lunged and bit him on the face with a bark. No prior warning signs. It wasn't a playful nip, it was aggressive and something he hasn't done before. My DH is pretty adamant that the dog must go. Is it a lost cause? Once a dog bites a child is the only sensible option rehoming? We do have a toddler too who the dog tries to dominate so obviously we're worried it could happen again.

Doesn't sound like he is suited to children.
What breed/size is he?

Ime ddog kept off the sofa can see quick results. Our dpuppy growled at a young dd. She has been banned for years and no repeat. Imo at 5 months your dpuppy isn't savage. Just a dpuppy.
But ddogs with toys /food should be left alone. Especially by dc.. Adults should be able to remove unsuitable items without a reaction.
Imo

the dog is a baby so certainly not a lost cause.
what other areas are you having trouble training?
what breed?

if you're already having problems, resources guardian of a toy on a prized area such as the sofa and your son getting close enough to be within biting distance sounds like something that should have been avoidable and managed by you/any other adult supervising. was there definitely no nose crinkle, tensing, any sign? or were u not watching it 100% to have noticed those (not a dig.. u just may have missed it if u weren't watching)

@howley1

the dog is a baby so certainly not a lost cause. what other areas are you having trouble training? what breed?

if you're already having problems, resources guardian of a toy on a prized area such as the sofa and your son getting close enough to be within biting distance sounds like something that should have been avoidable and managed by you/any other adult supervising. was there definitely no nose crinkle, tensing, any sign? or were u not watching it 100% to have noticed those (not a dig.. u just may have missed it if u weren't watching)

I admit I wasn't watching. I was standing right in front of them both but we were about to go out so I was fussing around getting things into my bag. DH was sat next to the puppy. My DH took the toy away and the dog didn't even flinch. We've been having issues with jumping and feet biting but accepted that as part of him being a puppy and have been working on them. He's a Frenchie

You need the services if a qualified behaviourist to help you assess the situation. Advice on the internet is a dangerous thing when dealing with (what on the face of it) sounds like resource guarding, especially where young children are concerned
A ‘trainer’ is not the right choice here…… some are excellent, but others are dire using old fashioned and unsafe methods which will make things worse. The fact that you think the puppy is trying to dominate (he really, reallly isn’t!) makes me think you need better quality help to understand the issues and possible solutions
Only then can you make a sensible decision on the future if all concerned

Puppies are bastards with sharp teeth and just cute enough to make you lower your guard.

You must watch them like a hawk or they will be up to no good in seconds.

Ps I meant to add…… I hope your son is ok

The dog isn't a lost cause at all - it's just a baby, but you really need to supervise them both a lot, lot more. If the puppy is chewing a toy, he needs to be doing that somewhere where he's safe and away from your son - so a pen, crate or behind a baby gate so your son can't accidentally approach him and cause him to become defensive.

In your OP, you say there was no warning but in your second post, you admit you weren't watching and didn't see what happened, so you really can't say for sure. Warning signs in dogs can be incredibly subtle and hard to spot unless you have all your attention on what's happening - things like the dog turning its' head away, licking its' lips and making "whale eyes" are all signs that a dog is uncomfortable.

It then generally escalates to a growl, then a snap, and then a bite, but some dogs will skip stages depending on how they've been treated in the past. For example, a dog who has previously been told off for growling may go straight from lip licking to lunging and biting.

I agree with PP who said you need to get help from a qualified behaviourist going forward, but for now, keep the two of them apart unless you are right there with your attention completely focused on what they're both doing so you can intervene ASAP.

Thank you this is all very helpful. It's obvious we are not very experienced with dogs and I think became complacent with keeping a close eye on them.
In all other respects he's a great puppy. Has good recall, house trained really well etc etc.
Will look into a qualified behaviourist and in the meantime watch them like a hawk!

I had to rehome my frenchie at 10 months as he was constantly trying to dominate me and my toddler. He was great for my dh but he works away a lot and I was the primary care giver but he just wouldn't listen to me!! Luckily my cousin had two frenchies no small children and happily took him into the fold where he's loving the attention of the other dogs. My frenchie was really needy .. he could left in the house and they'd be no damage he'd just sleep but as soon as we got home he wanted undivided attention or he'd destroy the sofa.. stairs .. toddlers toys .. or just start to nip my feet and he'd started to get slightly aggressive around my dd.. I'll be honest first dog I've ever had and will never do it again just not worth the stress .

The dog should not be allowed on the sofa, especially with small children in the house. Get the dog his own bed so he has his own spot that he can take toys to and relax. Make sure the children know to leave the dog alone when he's playing/chewing.

We remind ds7 of ddoggy 'rules' very regularly.. We have 4 ddogs. 1 is quite big. He for example loves kissing them. 2 love it and 2 don't. Keep out of their faces and leave them when they are quiet /asleep. Never too old to be reminded on how to behave around them. Their relationships are a joy to witness but never left alone is always a good 'motto'..