dog bit grandson

reach.. Not track. though probably that too

This is a heartbreaking situation, poor you Seasider, I feel for you and the turmoil you find yourself in. I would be so gutted in the same situation. But you don't say how serious the bite was or how old the child is. I once had a little Jack Russell who was the sweetest natured dog you could ever wish to meet, but one day my niece was visiting with her two little toddler girls, one of them picked up her toy and she responded with a very jealous growl and showed her teeth. Nothing happened as I intervened before she had a chance to bite. I decided then and there that she would be shut away if any child came into the house. Please give your little dog a second chance, shut her away or you could consider buying a muzzle when he is in the company of kids.
Jingle, shame on you for your horrid comment.

There are no sweet natured Jack Russells.

Aka's advice about the cage is good. The dog needs to be encouraged to see the cage as a good place to be rather than somewhere he is shut up when the grandson visits. Sorry if you know all this but I think you should start to accustome the dog to the cage by giving him treats in there, perhaps always feeding him in there, providing him with toys and a lovely soft bed. And your grandchild must never ever be allowed to scare the dog in any way while he is in there - he must understand this is the dog's territory. It could be very frightening for the dog to feel in any way threatened but unable to escape, and it would certainly do nothing for their future relationship. Not trying to teach you to suck eggs, just trying to be helpful as not everyone has had experience of using dog crates

I don't feel in the least bit ashamed! Shame on you for suggesting giving it a second bite of the apple I mean grandson.

I think visiting grandparents who have a dog in a cage (!) would be horrific for a child. Imagine the nightmares!

And how long before he pokes his fingers through?

Thistle this is the second time that the poor sweet dog has attacked a child!

It went for the child's face - not a nip on the ankle.

Seasider has said the wound is superficial but of course that is only by chance. Also, she has still not said how old the grandson is - the grandson who seems to be shouldering some of the blame here.

Jingl I had a very sweet natured Jack Russell! The only thing that she was a danger to was rats. She was forever being chased by the chickens.

I must have missed the post that said it was the second time the dog had bitten, I didn't realise this. Ok there is obviously a problem which will need to be addressed asap.

jingl I think you need putting in a cage!! And you're a fine one to talk as you enjoy nipping a few ankles yourself

All dogs can run

You may find this useful seasider

www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Content.ice?page=GuidesHowtoUseaDogCrate&pgForward=businesscontentfull

RSPCA advice

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

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.

Should have said 11 year old under supervision of course.

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.

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.....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apostrophes!