dog bit grandson

Petallus I love dogs, and cats, and most animals come to that.

I grew up with dogs and when my children were young we had a lovely lady Dobermann, Elsa. So I'm definitely not anti-dog.

But I don't think it matters if I like dogs or not, I'm just commenting that the dog has previous.

As for 'went for' I take that to mean that the dog attacked, whether it sank its teeth in is not the point. It's splitting hairs to try to differentiate between going for and actually making contact - the urge was there.

The OP said in the older thread that the dog had been growling at the children, so there was plenty of warning before this incident.

I know a decision has been made, but need to comment that this is a small, and usually affable breed of dogs.
It is most likely that the poor animal was afraid not in attack mode.

Riverwalk someone thought the dog had bitten twice. Do you think 'went for' actually means biting then?

On the occasion of the bite the dog was being teased.

Do you like dogs?

Nip not hip!

Oh Mishap hamsters are the most useless and boring pet ever! They only like to come out at night and tend to hip when woken during the day.

I'm so glad that seasider's GS is ok and especially that his mum is being reasonable about it. The idea of a cage is excellent. My mum's Staffie loved her cage. It was also her bed and when the door was shut she felt safe and relaxed and was off duty from her looking after mum job.

When I took my DGDs round she was always put in the cage before they came in - she was afraid of children and Staffies aren't known for their ability to just nip. As she felt safe they were eventually able to feed her biscuits through the bars which she would accept with great delicacy and gentleness.

Because threads do go on - and on - and on.....

Whilst Sunday dinners get later and later!

Riverwalk of course. I have commented plenty after the event. Just said I wasn't sure why we were bothering that was all.

Well, how tall are the grandchildren? It is a schizuh. So long as grandkids are not crawling babies, dog couldn't do much harm I suppose. So long as kids keep upright. And perhaps wear ankle protectors.

Sounds like it was jealous. And perhaps doesn'tknow who is in charge of it. (seaside calls it her dog, but then says it belongs to her son). A dog needs a master.

nightowl I think we're allowed to comment on other people's posts - threads don't just come to a full stop when the OP has made a decision, particularly if members have varying opinions and advice to give.

I agree with petallus about hamsters. I would never have another one as a pet.

Petallus the dog didn't just growl in the previous incident:

'He has been growling at the children and actually went for our 11 year old'. I don't know what you understand by the term 'went for'.

And then you say that incident was before he was neutered, but of course since being neutered it has attacked the face of a grandchild!

Yes - I have to admit we had one slightly irritable hamster. We had to do all the handling and cage cleaning. It had epileptic fits!

seasider has already stated what she and her family have decided to do. I don't know why people are continuing to debate it. It sounds to me as though she is a very responsible dog owner.

Apostrophes!

Yes, but that is ignoring the huge benefits which can come from a child having a good relationship with a pet dog.

In fact I know of a family where the 11 year old rather unhappy and reclusive child has perked up no end since he formed a very close bond with a rescue dog which the family took on last Summer.

It would be quite difficult to keep the child from all contact with dogs anyway. Attacks can take place in parks and fields and at relatives and friends homes.

By the way, we once had a very aggressive hamster. It drew blood on a number of occasions.

positivepam I probably know about as much as you do on the subject of dogs, but without my mind being addled with over-sentimentality.

I wouldn't want a biter near my grandchildren. And that is what this dog is. It Wasn't an over-excited nip. It was a viscious bite.

I do understand how much they can be loved by their families - this is why I expressed some understanding of how seasider and her son must be feeling; whilst at the same time advocating firm action to keep children safe, which for me is the priority.

I do think that dogs and small children do not mix, however docile the owner might think the dog is. My small GC sometimes take me to the brink of patience - a dog does not have the social niceties and self-control to think through what an appropriate response might be.

Better to just keep them apart. If they want a pet, they can have a hamster! - our children had a whole succession of them.

Dog crates are fine. They are like indoor kennels and most dogs get to love having their own territory.

The dog has not bitten twice. Previously it growled but that was before it was neutered.

I also think there is a difference between a warning nip and a dog going in for the kill.

The size of the dog would also make a difference.

I would not have the dog put down in this case though I would take stringent precautions.

I think people who do not like dogs underestimate how much they can be loved by their human families.

You could use the crate without making the child think "a dog in a cage" if you presented it to the child as the dog's bedroom - where he can go to get away from children when he does not feel like playing with them. If the dog is accustomed to sleeping in the cage normally (with the door open), that is how it will feel to the dog, too, and you can close the door to make sure they don't come into conflict.

The dog needs somewhere to retreat to as well as the child needing to be safe fromthe dog.

I do feel jings is allowed her own opinion and she says it in her own distinctive way but with this being the second time this little dog has been in trouble I would seriously think about rehoming maybe to a family without youngsters in the family,as you all know we lost Barney this time last week and he was a Jack Russell and such a placid little guy he was but as well brought up with animals my DGC are I would never let him be with the children on their own,he spent all day with grownup's and was not used to any fussing which could have caused him to turn,any dog will turn when frustrated as we have found out over the years when fostering dogs prior to adoption when we had to decide who was best for rehoming & who was not sometimes we had to make the decision that putting to sleep was best for the dog & humans.Seasider I'm so glad things are OK with your DGCs mum she could as you say taken a totally different view.

Seasider I am so glad that your DGS wasn't badly hurt and I hope you do not have the dog put down. I am sure you will find a way to sort this problem and do not listen to Jingle she obviously has no idea what she is talking about and just wants to wind people up. I think everyone just has to be more careful now as we are with our DDs dog and our DGSs, but I know she would not part with or have put down her Shih Tzu and neither would we. There is always another way, if it was a Rottweiler and this happened well.....

So glad to hear injuries are only superficial and that his mum is being understanding. Your son who was with them in the room must feel awful that he was not attentive enough to stop this from happening after the dog warned your GS.

It would be a good idea to have a family conference with all the adults usually present- to discuss supervision in future. And also to talk to the children about how to behave with the dog again. Crating at this stage would perhaps create more resentment and jealousy in the dog- and I truly feel you need the advice of an experienced trainer. As said before- a child gate to separate the lounge area from access to the rest of the house would be really useful- so that you can insure the dog and younger children are always separated when at your house.

Should have said 11 year old under supervision of course.

Just another thought * seasider* - sorry, my brain's a bit slow to get going this morning.

I'm working with a young boy of 14 at the moment who has a traumatic history. His carer has bought a puppy and has given the boy full responsibility for training the puppy. Slightly different circumstances I know, but I think your 11 year old is old enough to undertake the crate training as outlined in the link I posted and also to attend obedience classes with the dog. This is character building for dog and child and would reinforce to the dog exactly who is in charge. I think it is good for children to learn that with pet 'ownership' comes responsibility and good for dogs to learn that even children have to be respected, unlike puppies.

RSPCA advice

This might also be useful if you are looking for someone to help the dog.