The dog bit ds on the face!

**Cricket1** · 12-15-2007, 10:19 PM

Ughhh....today my boys were playing outside with my dh and the dog. DS #1was running around and the dog jumped up and bit him on the cheek. Hard! He has a huge bump on his face.

I'm heart broken. She has been with us for 4 months (she is 9 months old) and she's nipped, but I that is normal. Usually when the boys are running around, she runs after them, but is just playing. DH saw it happen, so I know that the boys weren't provoking her. He said that she just jumped up and bit him on the cheek. It was soooo close to his eye, too.

I have to protect my kids, so I feel that the only thing to do is give her up. I feel like a giant a#@h&*!% for doing this, but I'm freaking out.

**sdrjeolsen** · 12-15-2007, 10:25 PM

I'm sorry. I think its best to not have the dog around the boys. I'm sure someone who doesn't have small kids will love her. My aunt had a dog that used to bite at us all the time, I was always terrified of it. You are doing the right thing. Sorry you feel bad about giving her up, but I know I'd feel a whole lot worse if she really tore into a kid later on.

**Jamauk** · 12-15-2007, 10:48 PM

I'm so sorry that happened. I know its really hard to give her up, but like you said, you have to protect your kids.

We adopted an adult dog when DS 1 was just a year old. In less than 24 hours of having him home, he growled at DS and barred his teeth. We loaded everyone back up in the truck and took her back to the shelter.

Some dogs just don't know how to act around children.

Hugs!

**kittykatstrong** · 12-15-2007, 11:38 PM

You just don't know what will happen if you keep her. My grandpa had a dog that hated kids. Never bit one but you knew that if you had to walk around her to give her as much room as you could.

**McD** · 12-15-2007, 11:50 PM

I would personally get rid of the dog and not think twice about it. It would be one thing if your dog was biting after being provoked, but since the dog bit with no provocation, I would take no further chances with my kids.

I know it's hard, but it's probably for the best.

**mikandmari** · 12-16-2007, 12:03 AM

I'm curious what breed of dog this is?

If you send this dog to a shelter or rehome it, just be certain to let them know that the dog nips. If the dog isn't acting dominant or aggressive towards the kids, it could just be excitability, and she needs extra training. Maybe someone out there is willing to work with the dog.

But I don't blame you for rehoming her. Many dog lovers would jump all over us for this attitude, and say "pay for a trainer/behaviorists", etc. But if this dog bites someone outside of your family you could be looking at a lawsuit. There are many many homeless dogs who are child-safe... or, you may want to wait until they are a little older. Good luck!

**jamie79** · 12-16-2007, 12:49 AM

I am sorry this happened. Bring the dog to a shelter and maybe it can be retrained

**monkeymia** · 12-16-2007, 01:07 AM

Sorry you have to give her away, your children do come first.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 12-16-2007, 02:19 AM

I have to say one thing in the dog's defense: the kids were running and it triggered the dog's prey drive. Unfortunately, little ones make quick, jerky movements and running makes the dog's excitement level go up. A young dog is like a teenager; she hasn't yet learned the proper behavior and the kids are making it worse by running.

Is your dog properly trained? If not, part of the blame lies squarely on your shoulders. Before you give her up, spend a few minutes each day working with her to teach her proper behavior under such circumstances. Also, what breed(s) is she? if she is a herding breed, the desire to herd will be ingrained into her. Herding breeds tend to be nippy (that is HOW they herd). People ALWAYS blame the dog; often times, the owners have not taught the dog how to behave.

**MarshHen** · 12-16-2007, 06:36 AM

I'm so sorry your son was bitten. I do agree with Lori that alot depends on the breed/breeds of your dog, it's age, training (if any) and background. You mentioned that you have had her for 4 months. Did she come from a shelter?

At 9 months, she is still a puppy. Dogs are pack animals, plain and simple. When you bring a puppy/dog into your home, you and your family become part of their pack, and training is needed to establish authority roles for the pack members. It's up to the owner/family to train the dog to learn it's place or role in the family. Some dogs are just naturally high strung, and active children trigger the herding/controlling behavior that includes nipping as Lori mentioned.

I understand your concern for your childrens safety and this just may not be the dog for your family. I know it's heartbreaking to everyone involved, but it may just be the best to find the dog another home if training is not possible. And yes, I would let it be known that the dog nipped your son's face if you do decide to rehome it.

If you decide to bring another dog into your home, you may want to check out www.akc.com and check out the different breeds to see which dog may be more suitable for a family with small children.

Good luck in whatever you decide, and again, I'm so sorry this happened.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 12-16-2007, 08:12 AM

I'm sorry your child was bitten but before you act too hastly you may want to consider taking her to some training classes.
As a child I was bitten in the face by our family Lab. We were running in the backyard and yelling and he was jumping and playing with us. He bit me squre on the right cheek under the eye. I still carry the scar 40 years later. Dad took the dog to obidence (sp?) classes and we never had another problem. He was a loyal family pet for over 15 years. It was the running and yelling that got him excited too. The bite wasn't done in meaness or agression but in play.
I also continue to have large dogs in my life and home but always make sure they get training as soon as I can. Dogs don't come into families knowing right from wrong and have to be taught. Don't let this poor animal be thrown away because of lack of knowing the rules.
Laurie in Bradenton

**annymoll** · 12-16-2007, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Laurie in Bradenton

I'm sorry your child was bitten but before you act too hastly you may want to consider taking her to some training classes.
As a child I was bitten in the face by our family Lab. We were running in the backyard and yelling and he was jumping and playing with us. He bit me squre on the right cheek under the eye. I still carry the scar 40 years later. Dad took the dog to obidence (sp?) classes and we never had another problem. He was a loyal family pet for over 15 years. It was the running and yelling that got him excited too. The bite wasn't done in meaness or agression but in play.
I also continue to have large dogs in my life and home but always make sure they get training as soon as I can. Dogs don't come into families knowing right from wrong and have to be taught. Don't let this poor animal be thrown away because of lack of knowing the rules.
Laurie in Bradenton

I agree. The dog was playing, not attacking the child. He is a young dog, plays rough ,and need to know the rules.I vote for a shot at training.I think it is your responsibility to teach, unless the dog attacked -which does not seem to be.

**sixfreds** · 12-16-2007, 11:26 AM

That is sad but kids come 1st. That is always my rule if one of the kids get a bite the dog is gone! You have to be safe!!

Was the dog just playing? My dog has done this to me, I was running and we were playing and she jumped and bite me, and it was a hard bite but my dog was playing and got carried away not meaning to hurt me.

That is sad but you have to keep the kids safe.
Eileen

**tammy88** · 12-16-2007, 11:55 AM

i dont understand why you feel you need to get the dog out because it bit the chld while playing. its a puppy, thats how dogs play, the dog was itneracting with the kids. not trying to cause harm..when people over react this way..its only adds to the amount of dogs that are strays..because a shelter will not take a dog that has been labeled a "bitter" i volunteer at a shelter and know that they will not take the the dog once thats said because its a liability.

the resonisble thing to do is rein in the behavior that bothers you..if the dog gets more frisky at play time, then closey monitor him/her until it stops..trying keeping the dog on a leash when they play and pull back when they bounce to the face, research online training information..reseach the breeds..lots of breeds herd..and when they herd they nip it isnt to be mean or cruel..mean and cruel is giving it away because it played a little too rough..just like kids do, when they pull tails and ears..the dog doesnt give up on them.

**many houseapes** · 12-16-2007, 12:42 PM

I am so sorry this happened. We had a weiner dog for about 11 years & she was such a good gentle dog- even with the babies-they could pull on her lip or tail & she wouldn't do anything to them. But when she grew older, she became cranky(she had some health problems).When ds #4 was about 18 months old, Tippy nipped him right under the eye & broke the skin. That was it.I called my dad & he came over & put her out of her misery.I really hated to do that, but what if there was a next time? One of my little ones might not be so lucky