My dog has just bitten.....

....my friend's 3 1/2 yr old child
There have been a lot of tears this afternoon and I feel sick with worry.
Stone has not been around kids too much - I posted photos on the thread 'children & dogs' of him with the child in question - he has been fine with him before now.
Basically, I was sitting on a chair and Stone was in his bed. The little boy ran over and tried to jump up on my knee and Stone flew off his bed and bit his back.
We were all in shock.
He didn't break skin but there were red marks on his back.
I feel utterly sick and horrified and I don't know what to do now.
Learn from it and shut Stone away when children visit?
Is there any point in trying to socialise him with children?
I feel like it's too big a risk now to have him around them.
I just don't know.
I worry for my new nephew who is the first child in my family though he is only 4 months old at the minute.
Is it the start of something more sinister?
I don't worry out walking as he would never approach a human (adult or child) when we are out and I always call him in close if we are passing anyone. Can I not trust him any more AT ALL?
Ugh what a horrid day.
Sorry for the ramblings, I feel embarrassed and really not liking my dog much at the minute.

I can imagine how you are feeling but I don't know how to advise you, I am not that well experienced.
It sounds to me that maybe Stone was feeling a bit jealous of your friends little boy climbing on your lap.
Do you think that Stone is feeling ok? Is he poorly in anyway? Is he in pain? this could make him feel grumpy.

I hope someone can come along with some advise for you soon.

Yes I would say it is worth socialising your dog with children, but with you prepared and in control and when the children are not too boisterous. I've always taught my dogs the gently command, and to be honest since acquiring a surrogate grand daughter it's been a god send. ( she's my eldest sons girlfriends child age 3 and a half) and you can tell her endlessly not to do stuff to the dogs and as soon as your back is turned she's at it again. Thankfully the dogs are better behaved than her. Other than that I'd give your dog somewhere out of the way where he can have some peace when little people are around and being kids.
Take a deep breath and a rational look at the situation when you've calmed down a bit. You're in shock at the moment it wont last, it's unlikely to be the start of anything sinister as long as you react in a calm and sensible manner.

So sorry, I can understand how rubbish you feel

There are some positives tho - if he didnt break then skin then its a v inhibited bite so he isnt nasty
Dosent help alot at the moment I know!
There could be any number of reasons - a running child flying onto your lap could look scary or sinister to your dog

But you dont feel confident with him and kids at the moment so keep them seperate

A good behaviourist should be able to help you desensitise him to crazy, unpredictable, running children - which might help your peice of mind
Of course worth getting a vet check to make sure there is nothing wrong
My guess is he was just protecting you - and possibly was asleep and startled or something

I know tho - it shouldnt have happend and you all will be feeling rubbish
I totaly advise getting some help for your peice of mind but I truly dont think this is the start of something nasty unless you start punishing around children

Oh dear huge hugsxx

If he isn't used to children, maybe the child running triggered a protective response in him??? thinking the child was going to hurt you???

Did he give any warning at all? Grumble growl or did he go straight to the bite?

I wouldn't let him near kids at all for now , and also keep him on lead for the time being, until you can talk to a good behaviourist. I am sure they can help,I think if he meant serious harm, the child would be a lot worse. I think socialisation with kids,in the right manner would really help.

Also, get him checked out at the vets too.


How is your friend?

Good luck, and massive hugs xxxxxxxx

Me personally am on the thought that IMO I wouldn't be able to trust one of mine if they bit/went for a child and i'd have little question over what I'd do. But that's just me. Biting, a child with no reasoning, to me, is a MASSIVE no go.

but there always is a reason if you see what I mean Luke? its just getting to the bottom of that reason and dealing with it,

as others have said, it sounds more like a warning nip, had this dog wanted to do serioius harm he could have,

to the OP can I ask what he did right after he had a nip?

You make a fair point Shona, and i have sat n pondered after posting, so I take back how harsh I may have initially sounded. But me personally, wouldn't be able to feel truly comfortable with a child biter.

I agree Shona, but I am inclined to agree with luke more, while there may be a reason for it, its not acceptable in our home is it?

I am with you there Luke. I would keep the dog in another room or behind a gate if there were children about. I am sorry but no amount of socializing a dog with children would let me trust the dog again. JMO.