Dog bit my daughter - WWYD?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Backstory... we've had two dogs for about nine years and have a 6yo and 4yo. One of our dogs passed away over the winter and we adopted a mini Goldendoodle in March. He's two years old and we were told that he had previously lived in a home with children (owner moved across the country and gave him up) and was great with them - best buddies, even.
For the past couple of months, he has growled 99% of the times my kids have tried touching him - and these are gentle touches, pets on his head, rubbing his back, etc. They're sweet with him and have had dogs their whole lives - there's no tail-pulling or torturing going on. Usually, I'm firm with him and tell him "NO", make him leave the room, etc... or else I pet him and they pet him with me, which usually works. Yesterday my daughter was in the bathroom and he came in and laid down. She tried to pet him and he bit her on the hand. It didn't break the skin (and he's up to date on shots, so no worries there) but left some big welts and she was terrified when it happened. The kids are just really wary of him now, understandably. WWYD? We've had our 6yo feeding him every day to establish a leader position in the house and she gives him treats, makes him sit and stay to earn them, etc. I don't know - can you train a dog not to bite or is this a lost cause? I'm not willing to just wait longer until he does break the skin - but I hate to give up on him. He's so loving to my DH and I and is a great dog otherwise... but if I need to take him back to the shelter I'll do it. I'm pregnant with #3 and due in a couple of months so down the road there WILL be some tail-pulling that we won't be able to avoid. |
Anonymous
| Get rid of the dog |
Anonymous
| Not the right dog for your house. Rehome him. |
Anonymous
|
You have two choices in my opinion.
1. Put the dog down. 2. Give to a shelter with notice that the dog has bitten a child. |
Anonymous
| Choose, OP. |
Anonymous
+1. Now. |
Anonymous
| Dog has got to go. |
Anonymous
| Rehome - adults only, no kids. |
Anonymous
| Definitely needs to go. |
Anonymous
| This dog will bite again. He should be in a child-free home. |
Anonymous
|
Is your daughter kind of hyper and always moving around?
I notice my dog, a cockapoo, is ... weary and unsettled by young children because they move so around physically so much. She doesn't growl, but it's clear she's just tolerating them so I always make the interactions short and then praise her for putting up with it. Please STOP petting your dog after s/he growls at your kids - that re-enforces to the dog that it's okay to growl. Dogs always give warning signs. Look at where your dog's ears are when the kids come close vs when you come close. Maybe the dog was poked in the eye by a kid and is head shy. I say tell your DD to stay away for now, and take your dog to a trainer. If you can't find a good one ask your vet for a rec. Teach your DD to be very calm around the dog - don't flail your arms about, etc. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like a good dog. But not for your home. How about a rescue org? |
Anonymous
These ideas won't work well once there's a new baby/toddler in the mix, though. You can't teach a crawling baby to move slowly, or encourage a new walker to move only in predictable ways. OP, I know it'll be hard, but I think this is a rehoming situation. Your dog doesn't sound happy - he would be so much better off in a home with adults only, or older kids (like teens). You can keep him while a new home is found, assuming that can be done before the baby arrives, but think about what is best for the dog here (as well as for your children - you don't want them developing a lifelong fear of dogs). |
Anonymous
| He'll put down in a shelter. If you would rather give him a chance call a doodle rescue and explain his behavior. Sorry. |
Anonymous
| No brainer, rehome him. |