dog bit grandson

Oh Seasider, I'm so sorry to read this. You must be so upset,and like everyone else, I do hope your grandson is ok and that the fall out within the extended family is manageable.

Sad to hear this as Shih Tzu's are usually very sweet natured dogs..perhaps he was provoked one time too many? I have a gate across the kitchen door so the children can see the dog but not bother her [or she them]. Looking at all the old photos I have,most of them have dogs and cats with the children [one of my dogs went blind at an early age and could easily have turned snappy because of it]. Not even just our family pets but holiday photos with other peoples dogs [my daughter cuddling a pointer we met whilst on a camping holiday in France, and a Bull Terrier at a hotel we stayed at; even, shock horror, my daughter sitting on a bench next to the biggest Mastiff you've ever seen]. Looking back we were lucky that they never got bitten by the dogs or scratched by the cats, although they were so used to animals from an early age they never provoked them. Thinking about it, though, my ex was always scared of dogs, from being bitten when he was little, and I think my niece has a scar on her face from a bite as well. Difficult, because I think it's lovely for children to grow up with animals,as they add so much to their lives.

My nephew was bitten on the cheek by their own dog once - nephew was in the bath at the time, the dog walked in, he went to pat her and she suddenly went for him. They had her put down straight away as B and SiL had young GC. Couldn't trust her again.

Bye bye nasty snappy little doggie.

Oh no, how awful for everyone. The only solution I can come up with is pretty much whaat others have said. Our dog always goes to boarders when the grandchildren come as he's very nervous around them and once growled at one of them. That was warning enough for me; they are kept apart now so there is no danger to either children or dog.

Poor grandson - I do hope it's not too serious. And poor you seasider you must feel dreadful.

Posie from the point of view of what to do with the dog I don't think it matters whether it's a superficial bite or more serious - the dog went for the child.

You cannot let this dog near your GC or any other children. I know I would not bring a child into the house after this incident.

You may have to choose between having a dog and having GC to visit. It is just too important to be sentimental about.

How dreadful for you all. I think a lot depends on whether it was a severe or superficial bite? I'm hoping it's the latter.

My 3yr DGD was bitten a few months back. Not on my watch I hasten to add. I think she'd been a bit too playful with it & the dog bit her face. Luckily it only amounted to puncture wounds as I think the dog had responded without thinking then realised what was happening & released her straight away. Still no excuse I know.
She has healed & it's not noticeable now.

If it's not too serious could you maybe put a muzzle on dog when GS visits?

If it's a vicious bite then obviously it needs more thought & indeed this might mean the unthinkable.

This is a dreadful situation and one reason why my lovely Grace goes to kennels when the little boys are here - I don't think she would bite, but given her size, she would be close to face/head height. Personally I would give your dog a second chance but make sure he is never near small children. A dog can so be easily spooked and has little recourse when provoked except a grown and a nip. I also think a child needs to know to keep away when told to, but at 2 is not likely to take a lot of notice! Your dog is not a pit bull or a German Shepherd and need pose no risk but the opportunity should never arise again. Unless he shows signs of aggression when unprovoked, give him the benefit of the doubt if you want to but promise that he will never be in the same room or garden as DGS.

Oh, seasider that's awful. I'm so sorry. This happened with a rescue dog we had - a gorgeous clumber spaniel. She had been show bred and then neglected in the kennels when another litter came along that was clearly Crufts winning material. We took home this beautiful 18 months old dog who had met our children and appeared to be fine. Within a month, she bit a visiting child in the presence of two adults (I was out at the time). Sadly, she was put down an hour later - it wasn't a decision we agonised over, as we had discussed such eventualities before. Nevertheless, it was heartbreaking, but not as heartbreaking as it could have been for an injured child. This poor dog could have been returned to the breeder and gone on to bite another child. You'll now have to think about your dog's future if you do part with him, as new owners would need to know he has bitten a child on the face. I really feel for you and your family, having to make a dreadful decision.

I can understand how upset everyone is.

What a difficult situation.

Hopefully the young adults will sort it out between them in some way.

You didn't say how old your GS is. I hope the injury is a superficial one.