Dog bit child on face.

[Panthereyes]

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.

My brother got bitten by my uncles dog when he was about 10/12. Still got the scar on his cheek just about at the age of 39. No one even considered putting to sleep, as it was a one off, the dog was hot and tired as had been out for a walk and my brother wanted to pet it.

Tbh I'm a little surprised that after knowing the dog is anxious around people, having a professional behaviourist AND knowing it's nipped before your kids haven't been taught not to get down on the dogs level and and pester it!
First rule with worried anxious dogs - leave them alone unless they expressly come up to you! Getting down to say good morning is not for the benefit of the dog, it's fun for the kids. Just ignore it, apart from a 'morning Fido, do you want to go out' type interaction. Vocal paise and acknowledgement is fine but I don't immediately pat or fuss my dogs first thing in the morning or any other time unless they come for it.

Ahhh shite! They should have hired you!

I'm sorry @changeyerheadworzel, it's been a very long week with two very boring essays to write, a house to move and money leaving my bank account faster than it's appearing so I'm afraid that went over my head... did you mean to be funny? Was that sarcasm?! Just so I know, it obviously wasn't clear...

I agree 100%
Although the child who was bitten is nine.

Dogs can get on well with sensible older children who know not to get into a dog's space or face.

Sorry this has happened OP. Happened to us many years ago. My brothers top lip was split open by our dog. He was PTS.

A dog that bites a child needs PTS. There are plenty of dogs with good temperaments needing homes without saving all the dogs with aggression issues.

That sounds such a lot to be putting up with Wilders. No wonder you are run ragged. So much so, your own attempt at sarcasm fell flatter than a witches tit.

On the plus side with all that money pissing out of your bank account quicker than a badger with it's arse on fire maybe you could take on some dog behavioural gigs on the side, might be a nice little earner for ya. Failing that a couple of essays on what not to do when a dog bites your child's face could make National Geographic and fic the holes in your sieve bank account. Just a thought.

In the meantime watch out for low flying sarcasm flying over your noggin, one might get ya right between the eyes if you are not careful.

@changeyerheadworzel I got about four words in before becoming so bored I decided to watch a very slow snail cross my garden fence. His name is Clive. He is more interesting than your reply.

Clive is more bored than you are if he is in your garden believe me so be thankful for small mercies :)

A lot of rescues won't take him because he has nipped a child. Have you spoken to his behaviorist? If you haven't, I would speak to them and ask them if they think he will cope with being rehomed or if it would be kinder to PTS. I would also ask if they would be prepared to speak with/write a report for a potential rescue, detailing their assessment of him, the behaviour modification plan that they have devised for him and their recommendations about what type of home he requires. Your behaviorist may know someone with the skills and experience (and desire) to take him on.

If you or your behaviorist or vet don't know anyone who can give him a suitable new home, I would only rehome him via a reputable rescue. There's a Facebook page that you can use to to appeal for rescue space, called Dogs at Risk Rehoming UK: https://m.facebook.com/groups/3012866452359761/
You can post yourself or ask one of the admins to post on your behalf, so that it's anonymous. I would research any rescues that offer him a space because there are a lot of dodgy ones about. I'm going against the grain here but I would not send a dog to Birkett Smith, but I think they're full anyway.

This is very balanced good advice.

Get a room you 2

Another thread I don’t understand. I used to dress my dog up and push it about in a pram.
Have it put to sleep and get another one if you must, not like they’re aren’t any dogs about.

That's awful OP and I would be keeping my kids and the dog separated until you make a decision. Just wondering why this dog is so so nervous like this if you've had from a puppy? No judgement just genuinely curious. What sort of breeder was it from or was it a puppy farm. It's so sad that it's spent 3 years of its life struggling with such anxiety. Well done for trying everything you can to help him but I think it's time to either rehome with the new owner knowing absolutely everything about his history or sadly PTS. People saying it's cruel to PTS don't realise what trauma this dog is going through everyday. He's not enjoying life he's existing on fear. Hope you find a solution Xx

He wasn't from a puppy farm, we got him from a family member, knew the mum and dad and know some of his siblings he is the only one who is so anxious. My family member can't have him back as they have a toddler now. We are going for an assessment with a rescue at the end of the week, we will be completely honest. They have said that kennels may not be the best environment for him so they may not take him. But if they can't hopefully they can give us some advice, if they say he should be pts then I suppose that is something we will have to consider.

To be fair he probably is @changeyerheadworzel, my garden is boring and I definitely am at the moment!

I've definitely been too sharp on this thread and I'm sorry. Bit of a week of it and my fingers posted without engaging my brain into 'don't be a dick' mode. But your replies have actually made me smile which is a miracle today, so thank you.

I love my dog but I said before we ever got him that if he ever bit the g' kids he'd be pts without question

7 days! Keep it away from your child.

In fairness so did yours! I was kicking myself for bursting out laughing at the name "Clive"! Hope your week gets better, mine ain't so hot either!

Fingers crossed it improves all round @changeyerheadworzel
Ah Clive.
You know my dog is called Gary. And I had a cat called Fish.
Not the best with names...! 😂

@Panthereyes That’s unusual that only he is so fearful-
Hopefully if you are absolutely honest with a good rescue there might be a chance.
But all dogs see children- so he might need ongoing work or muzzling in public.

It’s really sad all round. The thing that always makes me sway into pts is that you see all these rescues full to burst with dogs languishing in small cages for months or even years in some cases. I know rescues mean well but this is no life for a dog and especially not an anxious one. Obviously if a human was so anxious they hurt someone they would potentially go to prison or secure hospital and get treatment, but they would be let out eventually, we can’t do this with dogs as sadly after time in kennels they may never find a home to be released to. Why subject a dog to living that way for his last few days or months on earth. Why not be kind and let him be painlessly go to sleep with the people who love him and he loves.
This dog may have a neurological condition and has suffered his whole life. So anxious that he wees when going about normal dog stuff. He can’t even enjoy being petted or greeted by people happy to see him. Now we suggest subjecting him to a move to rescue and then potentially another move to a home, then possibly another home if that doesn’t work or the people change their mind. Even the most solid dog would find that hard and anxiety inducing. Whose benefit is this really for. If that dog could voice his opinion I wonder what he would say. Us humans treat animals like shite.

I completely agree with this. He's not just unreliable with kids - he's shitting himself when interacting with anyone.

Languishing in a rescue, with noise, stress, new people etc is not right imo.

I would PTS and please do not send to that Birket Smith Sanctuary whatever you do.

If the dog is still in your home for the next week, I hope the children are staying elsewhere.

II’m more confused about a a dog that was had as a puppy that wets itself around people..op shouldn’t own animals