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Your former dog. I hope your son heals. Biting a child’s face was the end of our dog when I was a child.
As for the boy, they’re still checking him over. Seems the dog got his whole head in one bite. Knocking out a couple of son’s teeth and a fractured bone in gum, as well as the teeth cuts to face. They’re still assessing..
That's no nip - dog needs to go.
Surely re-homing a dangerous dog is the height of irresponsibility? What if it bites the new owner’s face? And if it isn’t a dangerous dog, the problem lies elsewhere and it doesn’t need re-homing.
Depends on how and to whom it is re-homed. If the new owner is fully aware of the circumstances and is used to dealing with difficult dogs, doesn't have children etc I don't see an issue.
I would say, if you know your son winds the dog up, it will snap back. Maybe he will learn.
Take some time to think about it, I'm sure your son will be devastated if the dog goes. You know the dogs character, and you also know your son is boisterous !
Friends had to get rid of a dog as it snapped for no reason and made a right mess of the husband's arm (major surgery), but there was no provocation, and the dog acted normally afterwards. They hadn't had it long.
We've had dogs as a kid and knew not to wind them up. Got cats now, and as others say, they don't take lightly to wind ups - the kids were well warned, but occasionally got scratched. I've had a few nasty scratches, even from picking the cat up - it they don't want it, they DON'T want it. 20 razer sharp claws soon remind you.
Sorry to hear what's happened, a very difficult situation. Hope your Son is OK and isn't scarred, physically or otherwise.
Hammer frozen sausages into your own lawn?
I've spoken to The Dogs Trust, to sound them out. They think rehoming should be a possibility. Will follow up.
I have divulged fully! I would never re-home him if I thought he would be a danger to an adult. I'm sure it's not totally new situation to them, family pet bites family child. I'd imagine they would look for a home without kids. He's adorable, and loves walking miles.
So gutted
Got bit in the face by our dog when I was about your son's age, maybe a year or two older - totally my fault, getting in his face which he clearly didn't like. I didn't heed the warnings and eventually he got fed up of warning. Our parents had much the same discussion and I argued strongly for them not to get rid of Buster, knowing it had been my fault,and we never had a scrap of bother on that front again. I'd just say don't make any hasty decisions, and also see what your son thinks. If your son wants to keep him, that may be instructive.
What a horrible, horrible position for you all to be in, hope your son gets well soon. 🙁
For me it would depend entirely on the circumstances just before the bite. If the dog was being "tormented" and didn't lash out at the very start of being tormented, the lad has now learned that tormenting the dog has real consequences and the dog would stay while its behaviour around the kids is now more closely monitored (plus how the kids behave with the dog).
Sad stuff. That's definitely a lot more than a snap, however provoked the dog was, the potential consequences were devastating. I don't think you have many options, and I suspect there are only two. Good to hear that the DT are hoping he can be rehomed.
Try blaming it on your kid if a bite ended up with you in court. Not a good defence.
My mate was bitten by a dog when young, her bum so no permanent damage. She is still traumatised by dogs and goes into panic mode when a dog comes near now, she s 41, incident happened when she was 7.
Healing vibes to your son.
I think this a difficult decision that only you can really judge, but I agree with your first assessment. You can't be sure the dog won't do it again, and you can never be in position where the kid and the dog aren't alone. I'd be re-homing as well, no matter how difficult that would be.
@PrinceJohn A staffy lurcher cross.
Ps: I was bitten on my face by our dog when young, I knew it was my fault, so said nothing about it to anyone.
Sent you a DM
My sister has 2 dogs (springer spaniels) - well, "had", one died of old age, there's one left - and she's got 2 kids (age 7 and 5 now). The kids arrived after the dogs so the dogs had to come to terms with a change in the household hierarchy but they were both very well trained and all the times I've looked after them they've been very placid and super easy to control.
The kids definitely needed some lessons in being with them though and for at least the first couple of years of their lives, they were never left alone with the dogs. The dogs did learn to just wander off if provoked but there were a couple of times that the kids needed a telling off for winding them up (mostly unintentionally, it was often "we're just playing with the dog" but they needed showing and telling that that sort of play was not appropriate).
I reckon that so long as dog and boy both know what they've done wrong, there shouldn't be an issue. Maybe see what your son says when he's home / better?
Seems the dog got his whole head in one bite. Knocking out a couple of son’s teeth and a fractured bone in gum, as well as the teeth cuts to face. They’re still assessing..
As has been pointed out above, that's more than a warning nip.
Should point out that, when i was bitten as a toddler (not the dogs fault, i was stood behind at tooth level and it turned around), i didn't get over being afraid until I was at least 16, this was partly because of a lack of experience with dogs. We always had cats and no dogs. So I never got a chance to get over being bit.
It was years before I had the chance to get acquainted with them and learn about them, and now I live with a stupid old Dalmatian and I genuinely like dogs.
Reacting too quickly may mentally scar him for longer. If you end with no dogs you may end up causing years of terror for him. But I'm not his dad and only you and your wife know the situation.
Ps: I was bitten on my face by our dog when young, I knew it was my fault, so said nothing about it to anyone.
well obviously, the OP's son needs to stop making such a fuss about it, man up and take some responsibility. #toxicmasculinity
Knocking out a couple of son’s teeth and a fractured bone in gum, as well as the teeth cuts to face.
I started off by wondering what was the fuss all about as I grew up none the worse with a bad tempered unpredictable vicious dog and was bitten a lot often drawing blood. It was in its nature and continued despite efforts to train it. However, I’d be very worried about the injures to your son you’ve described. You’ve got a really difficult decision but I personally would err on the side of caution and be looking to rehome.
Thanks for the chat and the well wishes guys.
No winners here.
Is rehoming the son an option?
Healing vibes to your son, i hope he isn't traumatized by the experience.
We have two dogs but no kids, but when our friends are over with kids we do keep a close eye on all parties.
I would suggest, as others have, that a little bit of time is needed. The decision needs to be made with your family together, in a day or two when emotions are a little more settled.
Whilst the end result may very well be the same, without everybody agreeing and understanding the reasons why (including/especially your son) then it could be a recipe for resentment in the household. At the very least, your son needs to see that dogs are not a threat and understand why it happened, as that may affect future relationships with dogs. You may very well want another in the fullness of time if you do decide to rehome now.
Good luck, i'm sure you will all make the right decision, no matter how hard.
It's a sad situation and I don't think there is a right answer. Given the severity of the bite it would be very hard to dismiss as a warning nip that your son can learn from (do you know exactly what your son was doing at the time?).
I was a bit of a shit at that age to the family dog, I wasn't cruel but it'd tease it a fair bit and used to see the warning snarl as as extra dare (to try and take it's bone or poke it's paws etc.). I got bit nipped a few times (deserved each one) but I didn't really learn any lessons - in hindsight I was probably lucky I didn't catch the dog having a really bad day and received a proper bite.
So whilst I can see the argument that you shouldn't get rid of the dog, that your son can learn from it and it will just be a one off you know you can't guarantee that and given the first incident was so severe I just think taking the risk is a very big gamble. Your wife and son's opinion is also very important, if your wife doesn't want to take the risk I think that's your decision made anyway really? And if your son is scared to be around the dog it's not a situation you could just live with hoping it would improve over time
he-muffin-man
Full Member
As for the boy, they’re still checking him over. Seems the dog got his whole head in one bite. Knocking out a couple of son’s teeth and a fractured bone in gum, as well as the teeth cuts to face. They’re still assessing..That’s no nip – dog needs to go.
considering he's a big dog, most of he damage would be down just by swinging his head round, and not a bite. Having wound up dogs when i was younger (sometimes as an adult), they will swing with an open mouth and "catch" as opposed to going in full rip your face/arm off... I know many will disagree, but there is a massive differenc between a bite and a catch..
Agree there are no winners. However given the extent of the bite, I would err on the side of caution. I've been snapped at and nipped by my own and others' dogs over the years but what you describe is on another level, could have been significantly worse and could always happen again.
As a recent (new) dog owner that's something I can imagine puts you in a very tough position.
There is a world of difference between and nip and a bite that breaks a bone, without having been there to see how it happened as well it's even harder to judge.
I do not envy your decision, good luck, hope your son heals quickly.
Sell labradoodle
Buy new bike
Every cloud etc
Not got kids, not got dogs so not really much help
I take you have explained umpteen times to him that dicking arpund with sparky will end badly?
Maybe kennel Sparky for a week, let dust settle, no need for knee jerk reaction. But i would make sure your son comes into contact with another dog in the meantime. You can guage his reaction, pick him up, give him a cuddle etc at least you will know what he is like with dogs going forward
Up to you in the end, not a great help sorry.
The only thing I would say [and it's already been said] is don't rush into anything.
Speak to your wife and your son and decide from there. Pretty much every animal will react if provoked in the right way.
Awful situation for you OP. Yes, the dog has to go. My cousin's had to do similar with their dog many years ago after it bit their eldest.
Hope your son is OK, physically and mentally. Try and get him near dogs again soon to try and avoid him getting too anxious about them. I fear he's learnt a lesson the very hard way.
If you decide to keep the dog, try to look for warning signs in the dog before an attack. Some of these:
- Licking of lips
- Whitening/widening of eyes
- Growl
- Teeth
- Yawning
Some very good examples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUhjepUxnUU
Friends looked after a dog for a family who had to make a 2 year foreign move. Awesome lab who'd already been desensitized to little people and was pretty much treated as a body pillow by the new home kids. Lab never skipped a beat and went back to his family after a really happy time.
Youngest 2.5yo daughter from the foster family never learned boundaries as a result of that.. she's now evidently a serial dog bothered and ended getting badly bitten in the face by the (wait for it) home based daycares dog. Yes, turns out there are no rules here against have a dog roam in a house with a group of kids.
Anyway, she bothered the dog to the point it had enough and let her know.
Parents pulled her from the daycare but the dog remains in the home, albeit now separated by a fence when kids are in the home.
Is the bitten girl afraid of dogs? No.
Does she have a permanent facial scar? Yes.
Are the family anti dogs? No, they actually have a new lab.
Does she still push the line of dog bothering? Frustratingly yes.
Would I get rid of my dog if it were the scenario you describe? I don't think so, but it's obviously an emotive decision that's impossible to known how you'd deal with it till its forced upon you... Its also easier to get rid of the dog than to accept that the fault is human.
If your boy understands the cause and effect of what happened, I wouldn't be giving up on the dog. Tough lesson learned hopefully.
Boy home, patched up.
Asking all the way home from hospital where is Buddy, can't wait to see him.
We left dog in other room until things settled. Son and dog had a cuddle. Son not bothered at all!
I instantly broke down in tears ffs
I instantly broke down in tears ffs
I feel for you - it's good to know that your son isn't immediately traumatised by it, but it is going to make it harder for you to make a dispassionate decision about what happens next.
lessons all round... looks good for a happy ending though
when the dust has settled I'd be making damn sure the lad was respecting boundaries with the dog
Hopefully you work this one through, Not easy as you do get very emotive about dogs with your kids.
Dogs that nip through frustration, or even bite, can be worked with.
What I will say though and very much stand by is that if someone decides their dog is too aggressive to keep then they must get it put down. No ifs no buts. Passing on a problem/ biting dog is irresponsible in my view.
I expect loads of folk to tell me I know nothing and am an idiot (plenty on here do that every time I post) But I really don't care. I've kept dogs for 40yrs, both working and pets and if a dog was aggressive around kids, it would be gone.
Good luck with it and I hope ( I'm sure) it will work out OK.
Boy home, patched up.
Asking all the way home from hospital where is Buddy, can’t wait to see him.
We left dog in other room until things settled. Son and dog had a cuddle. Son not bothered at all!
That I read very, very positively. This....
I instantly broke down in tears ffs
... I totally understand!
considering he’s a big dog, most of he damage would be down just by swinging his head round, and not a bite. Having wound up dogs when i was younger (sometimes as an adult), they will swing with an open mouth and “catch” as opposed to going in full rip your face/arm off… I know many will disagree, but there is a massive differenc between a bite and a catch..
^ This is well observed Our little dog got on the wrong side/too close to a big golden lab who fired a ‘warning shot’ by catching our dog’s whole head. Deep puncture wound received in the cheek. If the lab had been ‘ properly’ attacking then ours would have been ragged in a moment.
Another time he also had his head in an old retriever’s mouth, which suddenly went for him when he was a pup. I expected to see our pup come out of there with no eyes or face, it sounded and looked so aggressive. Yet he was merely slobbered and dazed. Luck of the draw.
Very best wishes to the OPs son - it sounds like they had already been very clear with their child on what not to do so it’s rotten luck.
Two things to throw into the mix which could help to avoid a repetition if the dog stays:
1. Get the dog off the sofa. There’s definitely an issue with where dogs see themselves in the pack when they are allowed to sleep on sofas and beds etc.
2. Give the dog somewhere quiet where it can sleep without getting disturbed.
We’ve done this but even with that my modus operandi is that I can never trust the kids and dogs to be in the same room unsupervised.
Good video's up there. I never knew about the 'lip licking' thing and I've owned dogs for 25+ years and had them in the family all my life!
We left dog in other room until things settled. Son and dog had a cuddle. Son not bothered at all!
That's a result.
I'll spend a couple of days thinking about it, won't make any decisions yet..I'll see if I think son can be trusted to not be such a knobber. If he's still no heeding, dog will go for his own sake.
Agree with the sofa's. I hate that anyway.
We are pretty strict about it all anyway, don't leave kids alone (clearly sometimes it happens).
Sounds like it was probably down to your son, rather than the dog. BUT if it happens again & he is badly hurt then you’ll both have to live with your decision to keep it.
Maybe give the vet a tinkle on the blower - the dog might have been ill or in discomfort prior to the bite.
1. Get the dog off the sofa. There’s definitely an issue with where dogs see themselves in the pack when they are allowed to sleep on sofas and beds etc.
2. Give the dog somewhere quiet where it can sleep without getting disturbed.
1, yes for many dogs, some not so much - eg. our completely furless whippet freezes on the floor and is ridiculously submissive anyway.
2. is a no brainer, whatever dog you have, they need a safe space they can retreat to - box/bed/crate/etc
the issue comes if they see the sofa as their safe space
ours both have boxes out in the kitchen away from the usual tomfoolery of the 6 & 9 yr old, one goes there a lot (saluki) for quiet time, one not so much (aforementioned whippet)
Wife is going to talk to son when alone later. Just chatting to wife over a cuppa now, she said he was instantly apologising profusely when it happened. I didn't know this until now. So he was obviously doing something bad to the dog, and it just whipped around and clocked him.
OP, don't know if it would be worth having a chat with someone such as these people?
https://birkett-smith.org.uk/the-bsas-canine-behaviour-rehabilitation-centre
I know nothing about them. Just found them on the internet some time ago.
I think the dog goes to stay with them which would give you time to 'retrain' your little boy.
Just a thought in case it helps at all.
Good luck with whatever you decide.