Anonymous wrote:We have a very sweet Border Collie who has patiently taken a lot from our DS, who is 15 months old. Our DS loves him and loves to come up and hug the dog, try to chase him, offer him food, etc. Inevitably, this sometimes ends in DS hitting the dog with a toy or doing something that the dog doesn't love (i.e. he doesn't really like being hugged or "petted" by the kid).

We always supervise them together and usually have to look out for the dog's safety more than our son's. Before we could stop him, DS has hit the dog on the head with a toy very hard, bitten his ear, and fallen on him. He also tries to stick his finger in the dog's eye. Although we try to stop this, sometimes we can't get there quickly enough. All of the things I mentioned have been met by no reaction at all from our dog -- not even running away or whining when he tries to poke his eye.

Tonight DS was getting a little overtired and hyper and chasing the dog around with his large push-able truck. Clearly, the dog was getting a little tired of it but still being a good sport. Then DS stopped and started hugging/hanging on the dog. Since our dog has never minded this too much, I didn't think much of it and finished preparing a bottle I was working on. All of a sudden, I looked over, and the dog has jumped up barking. DS had fallen on the ground, and the dog bit him on the head. We yelled at him, and the dog immediately stopped.

DS is fine but has some teeth marks on his head. He didn't need stitches and will go in tomorrow for an early tetanus booster just to be on the safe side (we talked to the dr on the phone). I feel terrible for DS, but I also don't blame our dog TOO much. He's getting older (8 years old) and less mobile, and I think everything that was going on was just too much for him. I'll admit that I got a little complacent because the dog is always so tolerant of everything and that I should be more cautious, but I don't have any huge concern about this. Does this seem reasonable, or would others be freaking out?

I don't know exactly what DS did to cause this reaction -- it seemed like he was just hugging him while the dog was in a sitting position, which he does all the time. I suspect that he either lost his balance and fell on the dog or possibly tried to bite/pull his ear or something. I think our dog just overreacted while trying to escape and feeling threatened/hurt. I don't suspect it will happen again, and I know the dog knows it was wrong. Any thoughts?

Anonymous wrote:The dog has tasted human blood and will need to be put down

Anonymous wrote:I think that you need to change your definition of "supervising". Appropriate supervision of a toddler and a dog means that you are between them and watching, your hand is close enough to intercept before the child bites or hits the dog. It doesn't mean that you are in the same room and allowing your child to chase the dog, hang off the dog, and otherwise abuse the dog.

I would have a huge concern that your dog has just shown that he doesn't give clear warning signs that you can read before he bites. That, combined with an unsupervised toddler, seems really dangerous. I really really think you need to look at your routines and practices very carefully and make sure that they are never together unless your attention is 100% on managing the interaction.

Anonymous wrote: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 wrote:The dog has tasted human blood and will need to be put down

Anonymous wrote: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.

Anonymous wrote:

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And, I agree with the poster who noted that you need to be concerned that your dog doesn't give signals before he bites.

I'm the poster who posted that and I wanted to be clear that I didn't say the the dog doesn't give signals. I said he doesn't give signals that the OP and her DH seem to be able to read. It's quite possible that running away from the child with the push toy would have been a clear signal to another parent, who would have responded by preventing the incident.