Glad you feel calmer and positive, tokiayla. Stone sounds a lovely boy, very much worth working with. xxx

what a horrible situation for you! hugs!

i think socialising would be a good idea. my aunt actually had her dog PTS when he bit my cousins son (her grandson). he was used to the kids, and they all lived together but one day for no obvious reason (i am a believer that there always is a reason, but my aunt isnt sure what it was in this case) he just lunged at byron and bit him. my aunt was in the room, and it scared her coz it was so unexpected. it wasnt a bad bite, didnt break the skin or anything. but she couldnt trust him after that, even when she was around so she had him PTS.

but if stone isnt used to kids, socialising would probably help him a lot.

Skimming through this it sounds like Stone has had a pretty torrid life up until you got him, so IMHO he deserves to be worked with to get rid of whatever issues he had that provoked this nip. (To me, it's a nip if it didn't break the skin. I'd guess that's what Stone intended. Not breaking the skin must have taken a fair bit of restraint on his part!)

As your friend and her son are both clearly concerned about Stone's welfare, get them to help in his training & socialisation. It'd do them ALL good! Good luck!

Stone is a lovely boy who has had a terrible start in life....the circumstances of his 1st couple of years would have knocked the confidence of the most laid back of Dogs.

I've seen a dramatic change in the Dog, who, when I 1st met, stood trembling with his tail between his legs.

You've worked so hard with him & in turn he now idolises you & wants to protect you.

He missed out on a lot of canine social skills (which he is now catching up with aided by his partner in crime) He was used to being part of a pack (in which I'm guessing he wasn't top Dog) Now I think he needs strong leadership...don't be afraid of raising your voice now & again.
I think his rehab period is over...he is happy to be out & about around people, you don't have to make allowances for him now.

Bottom line is the Child jumped on you & Stone reacted.....in the same situation, where a Dog hasn't witnessed rough & tumble, I'm sure many would react the same way. It was a new situation for him & he got stressed.

See you soon xx

I do wonder if stone were a collie if people would have reacted diff on this thread,

I also firmly believe that it would have made no diff if it were a man woman or child, stone would have behaved in the same manner,

so to me thats what needs working on, he sounds a bit over protective of you, dont focus on the fact alone this was a child he nipped, I think he would nip anyone crossing the bounderies, a bit of training will sort this out im sure.

i dont think people would have reacted differently if it were a collie tbh, but i dont know...

i agree with the rest of what you said though

Nope, not me! I don't subscribe to the seemingly popular theory that GSDs are in some way to be feared. In fact, a Collie would worry me more. Far too damn intelligent!

I wouldn't of. A nip is a nip after all whatever breed. But I did laugh when I read that as when Skye used to nip...younger years.....I did have so many people tell me

she needs to be a working dog, not a pet.

Luckily Skye doesn't do it anywhere near as often as she used to....now its once in a blue moon But still....she does get told NO

Don't worry - most kids are not poisonous.


Snorri

i'd get him checked to be safe!