dog bit grandson

Thanks everybody for your comments. Following previous thread dog was castrated and we have had no problem since until today. The dog has never been alone with children and shown no signs of aggression. My other DGC come every few days and dog has never been a problem with them however they have a dog (also a shin Tzu ) and know to respect the animal. Good news is the injury is superficial and been told should be no scarring . DGS mum has been surprisingly understanding. I have told her we will cage the dog when DGS visits. We have today discussed 're-homing but youngest DS is distraught at the prospect of losing his dog so unsure what to do. Will contact some dog trainers on Monday then make a decision. By the way the dog was never left alone with kids and myself and older DS were in th room when this happened.

I think pets can be a very valuable part of a child's life as well as an adult's.

Apart from the wonderful companionship a dog can provide, there are physical and psychological benefits too. Research has shown that stroking a dog has a calming effect and can lower blood pressure. Dogs are taken into homes for the elderly because they provide comfort and cheer and help to alleviate depression.

I think children benefit from owning pets, particularly children who are sad, poorly, or isolated. It also teaches them respect and kindness for other living things.

Mishap you stated that 'the bottom line is that no dog should be near small children' that's the bit I suggested should be disregarded.

It is of course a load of rubbish sweeping generalisation. . Most dogs get on very well with small children. I was brought up with dogs, my children were brought up with dogs and my grandchildren are being brought up with dogs. We have never been bitten, caught any diseases or been infected by any parasite either internal or external.

But of course we are very responsible dog owners. We choose breed which are not prone to aggression, ensure both dogs and GC are trained to treat each other with respect, pick up after our animals, etc...

The bottom line is actually that this dog had already shown signs of aggression 6 months earlier and should not have been allowed to be near a child who was known to be 'rough' with animals. A rough child ..a snappy dog.. an accident waiting to happen.

Not only that but the 11 year old probably has school friends come to the house that are also at risk.

According to the grumpy dog thread, the other child involved is only eleven. The dog is his pet but he is also at risk.

I've made my feelings clear so I won't say any more.

My dislike of dogs is of no relevance. The fact is this dog is dangerous around children and should not be allowed to come near any ever again - how that is achieved is up to the owner.

I do sympathise with seasider as this is her son's dog and he will be very upset by the dog going. But that is no good reason for not doing the right thing.

I have many friends who own dogs and they simply would not allow this dog anywhere near children if it were theirs.

I am shocked at the idea that anyone could imagine it was the child's "fault."

The other thread changes the complexion of all this. Still don't understand such untypical behaviour from a Shih Tzu, though.

It is a terrible shock when a previously good natured dog suddenly turns, but they can only cope with so much rough play or teasing. It is difficult to make young children understand that it is cruel and dangerous to be rough with a dog or tease it.

If your grandson is young, then I agree with others who have suggested that the dog be confined somewhere else, or muzzled, when your grandson or other children are visiting.

In your grandson's case, if he is a bit older, say around 7, and quite sensible, perhaps he could be told never to touch the dog (he may now be wary of doing that anyway). Only you can know whether he is mature enough to follow this instruction.

When I was around 5/6 my grandparents had a very beloved older dog who disliked and feared children, and I was told never to touch him. I tentatively tried to stroke him once and he snarled and nipped my hand. I got the message, and we kept a respectful distance from each other for another 3/4 years until he died.

I suppose what you do depends to some extent on whether the bite has caused a superficial wound or a more serious one and on how your grandson has reacted - whether he is frightened to come to your home - also on possible repercussions within the family.

If you do feel it necessary to give the dog up, I believe dog re-homing centres can specify that a dog should not go to a home with children. I may be wrong, but I think it is only dogs that have a history of unpredictable and unexplained aggression that cannot be re-homed.

Well spotted, thatbags. I'd forgotten about the grumpy dog thread.

I stick by what I said earlier and now I feel there is only one solution and that is to have the dog put to sleep.

I am a dog lover but no dog is worth more than a child's safety.

Of course it isn't the dog's 'fault'. It isn't the 'fault' of the irritated bull that gores someone. That's beside the point.

It isn't a small child's 'fault' either.

There is only one place where the fault lies: with the dog owner. The dog had "gone for" a child (11) before so should never have been allowed near enough to a younger(?) child to hurt it.

I hope the child is allright and won't be scarred for life, physically or mentally.

NfkDumpline I mis-wrote my last sentence - I was being critical of the person who said the child must take some responsibility, particularly as we don't even know how old he is.

I think too much thought is being given to the dog!

I agree Riverwalk. A lot depends on the circumstances. If the GS was too rough with the dog and had been warned then the dog is not entirely to blame - and did give his own warning. Also your GS obviously enjoyed playing with the dog, how is he going to cope with knowing he was responsible for the dog being killed? Children cotton on to more than is often obvious to us.

Perhaps the dog could be sent to a rescue centre and rehomed with a family without young children. Many adverts from rehoming centres specify no children.

I think talk of muzzling the dog, gates and crates won't wash with the mother of the child, particularly as she is separated from seasider's son.

We don't even know the age of the child but someone has said he must take some responsibility!

Mmm the grumpy dog thread is a bit of a worry

Sorry I may be mistaken, perhaps it is the dog that is two and not your grandchild. I do hope your grandson is ok.

From the dog's point of view, this is his home and the child is a visitor. Sorry to be harsh but the adults should have been far more vigilant knowing that a) the dog is not used to living with children b) a two year old can't be trusted to be gentle with a dog and c) the golden rule is that a dog can never be trusted 100% around children.

Not only have the adults failed to protect the child but they have failed to protect the dog from feeling threatened on its home territory with tragic consequences. In my view it would be most unfair to compound this by having the dog put down. Of course the dog can never now be trusted to live with children but as it doesn't do so I can't see why this is a problem. Why not take the sensible suggestions above such as keeping the dog in a crate, or a separate room, or even in kennels when your grandson will be visiting. It would be far too risky to put them together again at least until your grandson is much older. I agree about dog training classes as well. But children also need to learn to respect animals and this cannot be taught at two years old.

This might just teach him a lesson that he should do what he is told.

A harsh lesson for the grandchild Liz.

While I was writing my post the 'grumpy dog' thing was posted. That changes everything. I thought this was a first offence, and even said this most not be allowed to happen again. This dog needs to be rehomed away from children.

If your GS was being rough and hurting the dog then he must bear some responsibility for what has happened. Do not pay any attention to mishap she has said before she simply does not like dogs and is therefore biased.

Frstly I hope your GS is not seriously hurt. And there will be no scarring.

Secondly a two-year old dog is still young and not fully trained. How old is your GS?

You need to make sure the rough child and the dog are kept apart. I have two small dogs, they are around when my young GC are here, most days. The children would never rough house the dogs. Even at 2,3 and 4 they know that is not allowed. Luckily my dogs are older and more mature anyway.

Make no hasty decisions. This us a case of managing what has happened and having a plan for the future until both dog and GS are older and wiser. It must NOT be allowed to ever happen again though.

Oh...yes I see.

This onea bout a grumpy dog. The grumpy dog.

What previous thread?

I assumed from what OP said that this was out of character for the dog but I see on a previous thread that there was in fact an earlier warning.

30 years ago our Golden Retriever bit my daughter's nose.She was a crawling toddler at the time and the dog was feeding.With hindsight, I should have been more careful and more vigilant.We had the dog put down.We had 3 more children, 4 or 5 more dogs but no more accidents or near misses.It was a hard lesson to learn , but, in my opinion, no dog can ever be totally trusted near a child.

Any news seasider? How is your little grandson?