Dog bit toddler -- should I be more worried?
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Anonymous
| You need to teach your kid how to treat animals. Poking it in the eye? Biting the dog's ear? Normally, I hate people who dump old pets, but you are a horrible pet owner and your dog needs to live elsewhere as you let your son abuse the dog. I'm surprised your dog hasn't bitten your son before. |
Anonymous
| Time to rehome the dog. |
Anonymous
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Hi OP. Only you really know the situation, but from what you describe, I think the replies like 19:46 are an over-reaction.
I would step up your supervision of the dog and the baby, and start putting an end to any rough play or chasing (15 months is young, but not too young to start laying down some rules about how to interact with the dog). If you're not actively engaged with the baby (i.e., if you're running around trying to get other stuff done) it sounds like it's safer to keep the dog in another room until your little one gets older and they are both a little more dependable. That said, this is not necessarily a reason to freak out. I had one incident like the one you describe where my dog nipped at our baby. I was in the bathroom (with the door open, but not paying close attention) with the dog lying between me and my little one. Up to that point, the dog (a lab mix) had always been super tolerant of baby antics. I think the baby tried to crawl over him to get to me, and the dog jumped up and nipped at him. I quickly let the dog know that wasn't acceptable, and four years and two toddlers later he has never done anything remotely like that again and remains a beloved part of our family. I think it's natural for dogs to react like that (look at how dogs play with each other) and at least for mine, the baby was a new kind of entity that - until he saw my response to that incident - I don't think he quite understood how to treat with regard to the pecking order of things. If the dog had been aggressive in any way (there's a big difference between a defensive nip and going after someone/something) I'd feel totally differently - and that's where only you can judge what really happened - but if it's the former, I'd step up the supervision but not necessarily be very concerned. |
Anonymous
I'm 19:46 and I made that post after the OP stated that increasing supervision was impossible. I agree that if the OP is willing to work at it, invest in things like baby gates, and a crate, and maybe some training, then it's totally possible to keep them together. |
Anonymous
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You need to supervise them more closely and NOT allow your toddler to do any of those things even if the dog doesn't seem to mind.
You also need to provide a kid free place for the dog and a dog free place for the toddler. |
Anonymous
| Someway, somehow, that dog has got to go. Never ceases to amaze me how otherwise reasonable and intelligent people don't get it about their aggressive dogs. I'm not trying to be man, andI get that you love your dog, but this head biting thing is serious as hell. |
Anonymous
It could have been a scratch but your child is old enough to know not to whack the dog or poke it's eyeballs. Does he whack you in the head? The child is obviously hurting the dog. We had a large dog when my children were toddlers. Sounds like a nice dog. Unfortunately your home is not a place for this dog. Get the crate out. And use the word NO and move away your child's hands. No more chores while both are loose. |
Anonymous
| OP, I really dont understand people like you. Why would you allow your child to do any of this to a dog? And why would you ever let your child be near an animal that has become aggressive? I have a friend whose child persistently whacked their dog with a stick - hard - and my friend just laughed and said oh the dog doesn't mind. It just blew my mind;even if a dog puts up with that kind of abuse 100 times, you have no way to be sure that he won't object, and possibly violently, on the 101st time. What you describe as supervision isn't anything close to responds idle parenting OR pet ownership. Get a clue before your child gets seriously hurt. |
Anonymous
| Has anyone suggested putting DH on a timeout for his part in all this? |
Anonymous
| 2025 again, my autocorrect messed up the word responsible. OP, let me just add one thing, after watching my friend's child and her dog, I pretty much decided my kids won't be in that house without my presence, and not with the dog in the same room. You sound like a FTM of a young child, but understand how your child is allowed to treat that dog is going to play into how he treats other kids, and how others gauge the safety of your home. I have 3 boys, each crazier than the next, and I'd never let them harass any animal the way you describe, for everyone's safety and sanity. |
Anonymous
| Regardless of the fact that your child and you do not have respect for your dog, you need to get rid of the dog or keep the separated. You also need to supervise your child-he sounds out of control. Get a clue OP, grow up and take responsibility for your actions. |
Anonymous
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I agree that OP does nit have to get rid of the dog if she implements some training.
The training should be for her. She has a perfectly nice dog who has put up with an incredible amount of abuse from an interloper in his home and Ge's put up with it like a champ. She has a baby she lets run wild on the dog even though she knows the toddler has repeatedly hurt the dog or made him uncomfortable. She (and any other adult in the homehold who has allowed this to happen) needs parenting classes and pet care classes. And common sense classes. Get baby gates. Keep them separated unless you are within a foot of them, to teach DC to treat animals nicely and to help the dog feel safe. Would you allow DC to play near a firepit because you were pretty sure he won't fall in it? Would you watch passively from across the room as DC played with a child who bit, hit, tackled, and poked him in the eye and the other kid's mom just kept letting him do it? |
Anonymous
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OP, as someone with two dogs and a toddler, I understand how it can be easy to be complacent about the interaction between the two. We had a similar situation when our toddler accidentally tread on our younger dog's tail when he was soundly asleep; the dog was startled awake and gave our son a warning nip on the head. It was a good wake up call for us, and we've been much more vigilant since. And our dog is one that I would describe as very good around small children - although we've never let our son be quite as rough on him as you describe, he has tolerated love as only a toddler can give - enthusiastic hugs, being crawled over, and the occasional tail grab.
I have to say that the posters who are saying extreme things like rehome your dog are being ridiculous, IMO. For one thing, your child is going to get older, and it will be easier to teach him how to behave around the dog (I think you should be working on that now; you son may not have the impulse control or language comprehension to fully understand but it will be a good foundation) and the warning signs of a dog's behavior. By two, my son knew how to behave around our dog and how to recognize when puppy didn't want to play anymore. I agree with the PP at 20:07 that to describe a dog who gave a warning nip to a roughhousing child after a long period of being manhandled as aggressive is an over-reach. |
Anonymous
This. I think this dog needs a new home. Not because he's aggressive (in fact, it sounds to me like he's shown a great deal of restraint), but because anyone who amuses himself by, essentially, siccing his toddler on his dog (WTF?) is not fit to be a dog owner. Or a parent, for that matter, but that's a subject for a different thread. OP, your husband needs a swift kick in the ass. |
Anonymous
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You need to protect the child. But you also need to protect the dog
We have and 8 year old shepherd type dog and an almost three year old kid. I have zero concerns about the dog but here are our rules Kid is never alone with dog. Ever. Under any circumstances. If I have to pee, one or the other cones with me or they are separated with a physical barrier. Kid is never allowed to hit dog. Ever. Under any circumstances. If kid does, immediate consequence is a trip to his room. Same as if he hits me. Has to apologize to dog, just like any other member of the family. No annoying, teasing, tail pulling, etc. Kids job is to put food in dogs bowl. Dig learns good things come from kid. Kid learns responsibility. Kid isn't allowed near dog while dog eats. Dog not allowed to run over child. Kid not allowed to run over dog. This took time to learn. For both of them. Dog crate and dog toys 100% off limits to kid. Non-negotiable. Kid toys and crib off limits to dog. Non-negotiable. |