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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog bit child on face.

122 replies

Panthereyes · 20/06/2023 13:05

I am absolutely devastated, our dog bit my DC on the face this morning, he has always been an anxious dog and he has nipped them before. We have had behaviourists work with us and he seemed to have settled and been so much better recently.

OP posts:
5Pioneers · 20/06/2023 13:08

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coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 20/06/2023 13:12

Oh, I'm so sorry Flowers

Try not to panic just yet. First off, is your DC okay and do they need medical treatment? If so, get that sorted first.

Did the bite break the skin or was it more of a warning nip? What happened in the lead up to the bite? Is there anything that was done wrong or that could be done differently?

Do you think the dog would be okay in a child-free home?

BotterMon · 20/06/2023 13:15

Sorry to read this. Dog needs rehoming to a child free - at all times - home. Anxious dogs and small children don't mix.

SilverPeacock · 20/06/2023 13:17

So sorry OP I hope dc is ok?

Original poster
Panthereyes · 20/06/2023 13:17

DC was upset but OK, it didn't break the skin but I think they will have an almighty bruise, it was just below the eye so could have been so much worse. DC bent down to say good morning to the dog when he nipped. The kids

I think they would be OK in a childfree home, unfortunately I just don't think we are the right home for them. We have started the process of removing through a rescue but it will take up to 7 days to get a response and they can't even say yet if they have room, if not we just won't hear from them.

My other DC was breaking their heart this morning at the thought of them being put down removed. I am just worried about the next 7 days and what we do if we don't hear from the rescue.

OP posts:
Lougle · 20/06/2023 13:19

Oh that's sad. It sounds like your dog was startled by the sudden movement. Can you keep the children away from him so that he doesn't get put in that situation again, until you have worked out a plan for him?

SilverPeacock · 20/06/2023 13:20

How old are your dc? Can they be trusted not to approach the dog?

Clymene · 20/06/2023 13:20

Oh no, how awful. Can you get a stairgate to keep the children away from the dog?

SilverPeacock · 20/06/2023 13:23

Also try other rescues if you can especially any breed specific ones

Redhairblackheart · 20/06/2023 13:25

The dog has a bite history and many rescues wont take that on. I would call some local ones directly but my advice if you want honest (and ill likely be shredded for this) would be dont blame child, dont blame yourself or make excuses and pts.

If this was a rottweiler, a staff, a doberman, people would be telling you to pts without a second thought.

Keep your children safe and put them 1st, the dog needs to be away from your child at all costs and im glad it wasnt any worse.

I hope little one is okay x

Weefreetiffany · 20/06/2023 13:27

I would be removing the dog, once they have nipped on the face like that they might be emboldened to escalate their responses and/or see themselves above the children. Sorry you’re losing your dog, but it’s the right call to keep
your children safe.

OrlandointheWilderness · 20/06/2023 13:31

Takes a lot for a dog to get to this stage; what is the backstory here? What sort of dog is it?

Original poster
Panthereyes · 20/06/2023 13:32

DC do know to be wary if him they are 6 and 9 it was the oldest who was bitten. But they love him and they normally greet him in the morning by getting down to his level and letting him come to them. As advised by the behaviourist. I think they can be trusted not to approach him in the short term but it won't be a realistic long term solution. He had never nipped an adult but does have to be muzzled for the vet but that is because he is terrified of the vet.

He does find all interactions with people anxiety provoking despite all the work we have done.

OP posts:
foxlover47 · 20/06/2023 13:32

Lots of anxious dogs just can't cope with children due to sudden movements even when the child is doing it in a kind and loving way , if the rescue cannot take in right away do they perhaps have a fosterer who can have the dog in the interim?
Ask around a fair few , Wood Green, blue cross , there are quite a few local ones to most areas too.
Most will rehome a dog to a adult calmer household when a dog has been nipping in a child home due to anxiety as opposed to general aggression because it isn't always in the dogs best interests to pts if they could live happy and safely in a different environment
We rehomed two boys who would be unsuitable to a home with smaller children but are perfect around my 11 year old

foxlover47 · 20/06/2023 13:35

And when I say perfect I mean they don't nip every dog can of course I just mean they weren't trustworthy around little ones because they were too scared so would react defensively
I hope you get it sorted op and I hope your children will be ok , it's so hard when they are attached to one that needs to be rehomed

Original poster
Panthereyes · 20/06/2023 13:35

The most local rescues seem to be either full and not taking anymore dogs or full and you get put on a waiting list, we have rung around today.

OP posts:
Clymene · 20/06/2023 13:37

Have you tried a breed specific rescue?

CurlewKate · 20/06/2023 13:37

This is tragic-but he bit, so he needs to be PTS. Apart from any other considerations, he will be hard to rehome if the rehomers are honest. Better PTS than languish in a rescue centre.

Wolfiefan · 20/06/2023 13:38

You must keep the dog away from the kids.
Have you contacted the breeder or rescue you got your dog from? And then breed specific rescue.

Soundbathfan · 20/06/2023 13:41

Maybe pop a muzzle on him in the house ? It's important to make it acceptable to him with rewards etc even if you do a brief bit of training and it's temporary. Will help to keep everyone safe in the short term. Baskerville muzzles best. Can still drink

Thebigblueballoon · 20/06/2023 13:41

I wouldn’t go straight to the PTS route. It’s horrible that your DC has experienced this, but I think approaching a dog rescue is a good first call.
You’ve got to honest with them. Tell them exactly what has happened, stress that the dog isn’t suitable for a home with children. Don’t sugar coat the reason you’re giving him up.

Grimbelina · 20/06/2023 13:41

It would be completely irresponsible to keep the dog around your children from this point on. If you can't at least temporarily remove the dog to somewhere safe and away from children, until you can get a place in a rescue, you need to PTS.

Having seen what a dog did to an adult (life changing injuries, the dog then being put down in a very stressful situation) after a very similar attack on child (as you described, a nip which didn't break the skin) and which was dismissed, I would have the dog PTS today as I wouldn't want to put anyone else at risk.

Soundbathfan · 20/06/2023 13:59

Thebigblueballoon · 20/06/2023 13:41

I wouldn’t go straight to the PTS route. It’s horrible that your DC has experienced this, but I think approaching a dog rescue is a good first call.
You’ve got to honest with them. Tell them exactly what has happened, stress that the dog isn’t suitable for a home with children. Don’t sugar coat the reason you’re giving him up.

Agreed. I would not have the dog pts.

foxlover47 · 20/06/2023 14:02

How old
Is your dog op

Original poster
Panthereyes · 20/06/2023 14:02

Dog is 3 years old.

OP posts: