My Dog Bit My Son

Well D., as sad as it may be, you may need to find a new home for the puppy. Older dogs do tend to get along better with babies as they know better. I have a 2 yr old pit and a 9 month old baby and my dog puts up with anything and my baby pulls tails, etc. Puppies just don't know better. Just work with them both and if it happens again I would say to give the puppy to a good home, yes it is sad, but it may have to happen. Good luck with everything!!!

Hi D.,
My son is 2 and our family dog bit him just 3 weeks ago. He was bit in the face and we were taken by ambulance to the emergency room then transfered to another hospital for plastic surgery and antibiotics. I would never imagine that our dog would ever hurt anyone, let alone our baby! I can seriously sympathsize with you. While our dog still didn't seem to know what was going on (didn't know that he did anything wrong) and was still friendly/playful with my son after the fact, it was best for us to get rid of him. It may be a different situation with you and your family and you will have to weigh those options out. However, I do caution that if something were to ever happen to your son you may not ever be able to forgive yourself. While my sons injuries weren't life threatening, I went through some depression and we had a very hard time for weeks. You might also find it helpful that you can have your pet adopted by someone who doesn't have kids at a rescue (check petfinder.com). You will have to let them know that he has nipped at your son or you can be held criminally responsible. Good luck and make sure that you do what is best for your family (dogs included). Best wishes!

Your younger dog needs stronger boundaries, and your son needs more boundaries to be around the dog. As others have said, smaller dogs can be more jumpy around younger children. Before putting the dog down or getting rid of him, please contact your vet for a proper dog trainer. Your dog can be retrained but it will take persistence of your entire family to help retrain him. There is no reason to put this dog down; he just needs discipline and education. If your family cannot commitment to the retraining, then please give your dog to a dog rescue or humane society that will retrain him.

I think you should get rid of the dog immediately. I have heard too many horror stories from friends that their pets who are much like you described your st bernard, who have actually bitten and killed toddlers. I don't mean to sound harsh or scare you, but the fact of the matter is your dog, the new one, is turning on your son. A toddler is a toddler and we can't change that. My daughter will treat my mom's dog horribly and I correct her and she knows it's wrong, but the dog never does anything to retaliate, he simply tries to hide from her!! I would make sure you explain to your son that getting rid of the dog is not his fault and it has nothing to do with him. It's just in the nature of a dog to protect his/her territory (you) and it sounds to me like the dog is jealous. You didn't mention that your son was mean to the st bernard, or maybe that dog just doesn't mind it. Anyways, I would discipline your son with the "good dog" and get rid of the new dog. Best of Luck!!

Hi D.,
I know it's sad to get rid of a dog, but having your little boy seriously hurt and feel bad that his dog did it would be worse. Have you checked with the vet sometimes if a dog isn't feeling well they can snap, that's the only excuse I would give it. And a child does not have to be attacked to learn respect for animals. Also at 3 no matter how smart they are, kids don't have the impulse control to not play with animals. I guess be happy with your big dog and find a kid free home for the biter. Just think about like this, if a neighbors dog bit your boy would you even want it in the yard?

When my Mini Schnauzer mix died of old age 5 years ago, I read everything I could get my hands on about dogs, and subscribed to Dog-Fancy magazine. When my daughter was born, my dog had a habit of stepping on her. The vet told me to keep him leashed and with me so that I could keep him from stepping on her. From what I've read, I would suggest the same thing. Keep your dog leashed and attached to you so that you can keep an eye on him at all times, or keep the dog away from the kid when you have to divide your attention.

Terriers are rugged, high energy dogs and are easily excited. They need a lot of exercise. There are books about raising kids and dogs together. I can't think of any titles off hand, but that would be a good start. I would also suggest getting the dog to a trainer, so that he learns how to behave around kids. Your big dog might enjoy going to a trainer, too. Ask your vet for a recommendation.

Also, I would say that the dog needs to learn that he cannot fight for territory with your kids. Dogs do not live in a democracy: they do what their leaders tell them. The "Dog whisperer" got that right. Do not let your dog be the leader. The leader is the one who gets the best spot.

Good luck,
H.

I can sympathize with not wanting to get rid of your dog but for the safety of your child you should.

When my now 14 yo was 4 my husband paid several hundred dollars for a 6 week old pure bred (parents imported) German SHeppard. Byt he time his dog was 4 months old she weighed 70 pounds. She was pinned in the kitchen to eat and my daughter happened to walk by the gate and said "Hi Sashya" the dog turned and took off after my daughter. Sashya cleared the gate by 1 1/2 feet and I had to tackle the dog to stop her from attacking my daughter. I immediately called my husband who came home from work and took this dog to the Humane Society. They have a policy that any animal that bites or attacks a child is to be put down.

Neither of the 2 dogs I have now have ever bite or tried to bite any child. And I have a Lab/Sheepdog mix and a Cocker/Poodle mix. Both of them know that if they tried they would be in big trouble.

Well I am only 20 years old, but I have known people to do this. When they find out they are pregnant, but what to get a dog they get a puppy of any breed, and at first when my uncle did this I thought he was being mean to the dog then I realize what he was doing. Well my uncle would pull at his tail, tug at his ears, tug at his hair, anything and everthing a kid would do. When the dog bit him he would punish him then do it agian. This somehow got the dog to where he didn't care if his hair was being tugged on or whatever. But beings you already have kids and all that, I suggest that beings its just nips don't worry to much but do correct him and do so with a rolled up news paper and tap his nose semi hard and say in a stirn voice "Bad dog go lay down". Then sit down with your son and explain to him that the dog is part of the family and he obvisouly don't like hands being waved in his face. See if that works. Good Luck!

Hello D.-I can sympathize with you as a dog owner myself. I love my dog and we have had him longer than the kids but if he was to bite one of my kids I would have to get rid of him. It's very common for Jack Russel's to nip at kids, they are not good with kids at all. I think it's now a matter of safety for your child because next time it could be his eye or he could need stitches and be permanently scarred for life. You don't want your child to be afraid of dogs either because not all dogs bite. Plus the fact that this dog has already bitten him on multiple occasions he thinks it's ok. Maybe consult your vet to help you with this situation. Best of luck.
C.

Hi D.,
The breeds, Sheltie & Jack Russell Terrier,are not good with kids. Shelties are very tempermental & Jack Russells are very hyper,this is not a good mix for children. It's not your sons fault he's only 3. Your older dog, Lab & St.Bernard is a good mix. Labs are paitent & loyal, St. Bernards are also loyal & protective gentle giants. You may want to think about finding your little dog a new home that doesn't have children.
M.

My husband and I thought it was a great idea to get a dog for our kids. We wanted something little so it would be easier to take care of, and our house is small and we have four kids. So we got a boston/jack-russell mix. What a bad choice. After about 8 months we could not take it any longer. I am a firm believer that once you get a dog, you take on that responsibility until the dog dies. But if you can find someone you really wants the dog, then that works too. We were lucky and someone without kids wanted our dog. She used to nip our kids in the ankles, she destroyed everything we owned. They new owner has no problems with her. So maybe just find someone who will really love your dog. You dont want to take it to the pound our humane society because who knows what will happen with it. Use that as a last resort. Your son is three, people are mentioning boundries with the dog. I dont think waving his hand in front of the dog or sitting near the dog should be forbidden. of course if he were hitting or jumping on the dog, that would be different, but like you said, he isnt. Good luck.

I would get rid of the dog immediately. It doesn't sound like your son even agravated the dog and there have been 3 instances. I probably would have gotten rid of him after the first nip, but I'm not a huge animal fan. I don't think teaching your son how to behave around this dog will solve the problem. In addition, you will be liable if this dog bites anyone else.

Sorry that happened. Also when mine was 3 or almost 4...we stayed with family a short time..and I guess the dog was sleeping and she made a nose to wake her. This time the part pit bull (but a nice old dog) bit her face. Blood was just every where. The middle of winter and we just grabbed her coat and left for the hospital. Luckily everything healed fast and ya really can't see her scars. As for teaching..well I usually remind her the rule is to ask the owner to pet it, and let the dog smell your hand. Good luck

Kids have to have boundries with dogs and unfortunately when you got this last puppy you picked 2 breeds mixed that are not good with kids. Little dogs are never good with kids, they are very fearful. You need to get a trainer in your area to help with this now that he has bitten several times and honestly-Don't even consider getting rid of the dog...there are children everywhere and never a child free zone where the dog can live. You have to fix the problem or put the dog down. If you put that dog in another home (even if they are child-free now) there will be a day when they run into a child again and if you placed that dog in another family KNOWING that he bites children you can be sued by whomever he bites the next time. Obviously you can't place him and not tell anyone about his issue. So you see your delimma?
Your son needs to learn restraint and here's a good dog to train him with since you know his background.
I know this is a hard decision and probably not going to be a popular answer with all who read it, but I've been doing Dog rescue for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers for 10 years now and retrained/rehomed over 150 dogs into permanant homes so I do have experience backing me.
Please feel free to contact me if you need the name of a trainer in your area. I feel it is workable with your dog and your son, especially since they are both young, but you need to nip it in the bud now.
Here is an article we use with our breed regarding kids and dogs but it is pretty standard.....
http://www.cbrrescue.org/articles/kids_and_dogs.htm
Good luck,
C.