If you don't want the dog anymore or don't feel safe with it mixing with your son, rehome it but don't have it put down.

That being said, I don't understand peoples surprise when their dogs bite or growl. That's what dogs do when they're startled or upset. No animal wants to be played with the whole time. You think the dog wants to spend its whole life wagging its tail and licking you on the face?

If the dog already bit your small child in the face I'm not sure what's left to contemplate. The dog needs to go.

When I was a kid we had an anxious dog (large police work breed). When he was still only a few months old, the vet told my parents to give him back to the breeder ASAP since his personality was totally ill-suited to a family and he often bared his teeth when people approached him. We kept him, though - and when he was a bit older and full size he once bit so hard he left puncture wounds and permanent scars. It was traumatic - both the bite and the loss of a dog we loved.

My advice having btdt, and also as a dog lover, and also as a parent, is to rehome/return the dog immediately. If you don't, your child could get with permanent scars next time, and the dog could end up getting put to sleep. At best you could end up with what other PPs said, which is an aggressive, anxious dog that no guests or friends ever want to be around.

My family and I have had three more dogs who never exhibited behavior like that. An anxious, bitey temperament is just not compatible with family life/kids. All they have to defend themselves when they feel fear or stress is sharp teeth - a very bad mix with kids. Please do not subject your child to this. Or the dog for that matter - it sounds like she would live her best life in a calm home with no kids.

Rehome, and be honest about why. I’ve known cockers who bit their owners out of the blue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your vet told you to rehome the dog. Do it. You’re off the hook with your kids’ feelings because your vet told you to. If I knew this happened and then my kid came over to play and got bitten, well... that would be a nightmare scenario for you.

Why? If the dog was up to date on rabies and no medical attention was needed, what’s the big deal? Or even if, medical bills would be paid for.

Wow, what a dumb comment.

I grew up with cocker spaniels. They tend to be small family dogs and really respond better with adults. As do poodles.

My cocker spaniel for instance couldn't stand my little sister and my parents had to constantly warn her away from the dog until she (the sister) was older.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should ask the vet if the dog should be put to sleep. Sorry. If you could’ve seen the scar a classmate I knew in elementary school when I was a kid...she had a large scar that went down both sides of her nose, so noticeable.

This is nuts. Don't put your face in the face of a sleeping dog. This is not "rage." No reputable vet would put this puppy to sleep. OP, if you even consider something like this, you do not deserve a dog, ever. Rehome if you choose, but the puppy was not to blame. You and your son were to blame.

You need to calm down. OP never said she wants to put the dog down.

Anonymous wrote:Your vet told you to rehome the dog. Do it. You’re off the hook with your kids’ feelings because your vet told you to. If I knew this happened and then my kid came over to play and got bitten, well... that would be a nightmare scenario for you.

Why? If the dog was up to date on rabies and no medical attention was needed, what’s the big deal? Or even if, medical bills would be paid for.

Sorry, definitely re-home. Our puppy would never have done that -- not at 5 mo, not anytime. We have a black Lab, and picked this breed specifically because of our young children -- and yes, puppies bite (and my kids have a few scars from our puppy) but they should not bite aggressively. I know it sucks and that the dog is already part of your family, but I put safety above all else. I was bitten by our dog when I was under 2-- I don't remember it, but it must have had a subconscious effect because I've always been afraid of dogs until my husband talked me into this puppy. My parents gave away the dog that bit me, but it actually affected my life ( yes in a minimal way, but still). I know most other PPs feel very differently, which is why I wanted to share my experience to show that there is another view of the situation. This is not an easy decision, so I sympathize.

Don't they nip to show their love? Read it online.

He is half poodle, right? Not good at all. Now I see others here saying spaniel is not great either. Having said this, I mean your kid startled the dog. I might have jumped too if touched while in deep sleep. What does a pup have at his disposal to protect himself from a sudden perceived attack? Bite.

Rehome the dog ASAP- he should not be in a house with children. You did nothing wrong OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid stuck his face in the face of a sleeping dog, startling him. Dog reacted. Agree you should rehome, for the dog’s sake.

The dog was sleeping. The dog did what dogs do. Nothing wrong with the dog.

My dog would never do that. He has been woken up countless times by DD (especially when she was little) and he has never been aggressive toward her. And he’s a small chihuahua mix.

Anonymous wrote:Puppies bite

+1

Puppies bite

Yes, this must be a bunch of trolls. No one could think a puppy who is startled awake and bites should be put to sleep.