My Dog Bit My Daughter.?

Question

I've had the dog for a year since she was a puppy, generally she's really soft yet today my daughter gave her a hug and Molly (the dog) bit her face (slightly breaking the skin but really upsetting my daughter) She's never been like this before, generally a loving caring dog now im not sure i can trust this dog i really love. Do i keep her? can i trust her again? or do i just get rid of her?

On a side note today we gave her some bones from the butchers (the first time) unlikely i'm sure but could there be a link?

I'd really appreciate any advice.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I agree with Ulva - no matter what the situation, that dog would be out of my house immediately.

Answer 2

Did the dog do it in a mean streak or just a nibble?

Our dog gets really excited and licks our faces, but she will bite our chins a little....it's like a love bite...know what I mean???  Kind of playful thing for her.

Answer 3

I usually hold the dog down and bite it back. Not enough to break the skin, but enough to show who is alpha.

This dog thinks its above the kids in your pack and they have to show her she isn't.

Answer 4

Was the dog eating the bone when your daughter hugged her?  Giving her a raw bone or raw meat does not change who the dog is (that myth circulates from time to time).  But if the dog was in the process of eating what she viewed as a "high value" treat when your daughter hugged her, it could have precipitated the bite.  Even so, a dog that knows his or her place in the family pack, knows they are at the bottom and all food, treats etc should be able to be handled by everyone in the family.

Work with a trainer/ behaviorist to evaluate her, and work on NILIF--if the dog is to stay in your home, she needs some better structure and limits on her behavior.  Good luck.

add: What you've just added sounds like the dog has a problem, and it wasn't that your daughter hurt him in any way, or it involved the bone per se.  It does sound like a dangerous situation.  It's difficult to face having to put down a dog or rehome(if that is even possible with a dog who will bite), but you have to think of your children first.

Answer 5

A) Only YOU know for sure whether you can "get rid of her".  If you do, can you put her in a Great Dane rescue?

B) The first thing I would wonder is if the bone was still there.  If it was, she may be protecting it.  This is called resource guarding and can (and should!!) be corrected immediately.

C) The second thing I would wonder is if she was sleeping at the time? It is never a good idea to surprise a sleeping dog, no matter how sweet and docile they normally are.

D) The third thing I would wonder (actually, this is the first thing I thought of but the other two should be asked first) is if it's a medical problem.  A normally well behaved dog doing something completely out of the ordinary signals a possible medical problem.  This is anywhere from having an aggravated area that the daughter pressed on or simply not feeling well to something much more serious, like a brain tumor.  Something that, if the other two things I mentioned were not issues, you should get checked out ASAP by your vet.

You said yourself that this dog has never been an issue before so, while a bite is completely and totally unacceptable and you have to think of your children first, I do wonder if there is a medical issue.  Or perhaps something as simple as your daughter hugging too tightly or stepping on her tail as she did it, etc.  It is fully up to you whether you decide to rehome her and *no one* will condemn you if you do, but I don't automatically think, "This dog is a MENACE and dangerous!!"  I wonder if something happened other than a simple hug.  I won't TD those who disagree, because they have valid points...just wondering.

And if you DO decide to rehome her or place her in a rescue, it would be good to note that she does best in a home with older children, or none at all.  Just in case.

Answer 6

is the dog jealous? Never mind if it is,I know how precious my children are to me and yours must be to you and yes it wil be very sad but I would get rid o the dog, it may be suited to an adult only owner, but a little 5 year old  against a great dane a litle 3 yea rold boy, goodness who is more important? next time you might not be so lucky and will be reproaching your self intead of asking shall I keep it the dog  you could be asking why did I keep the dog. It could have pierced your daughters eye and he could have lost an eye. Is it worth the chance, the dog and children must not be left alon together at any point. My daughter  hugs and cuddles our gsd and dresses him and he loves it there has never been a cross word from him. it might be a one off but how could you tell.

Answer 7

if the dog has alwasy been loving and fine to the cholid then it could be she got hurt being picked up or maybe even didnt want to be bothered. liek a human. i had a dog for 14 yrs, he never bit anyone ever most layed back dog, but sonmone tried to pick him up and hurt his armpit, and petey bit him. i say you keep a close eye on her and make sure her temper isnt chanign and that it was indeed an accident. if you feel shes becoming aggressive then get rid of her before this problem gets seriouse

Answer 8

Dogs sometimes get frightened or uncomfortable like all of the rest of us.  I am guessing your dog is having an "out of sorts" day, or maybe your daughter accidentally poked, pinched, stepped on the dog and it reacted.

Since you gave us very little information, it's tough to diagnose.  Dog breed?  Past training history?  Daughter's age?  Daughter's instruction on handling the dog?

I think you have to keep a very careful eye on this and see what develops. No unsupervised time between your dog and your daughter.  Hugging : although we like it, is not generally a comfortable thing for a dog.  Petting or stroking the dog without completely confining him in your arms is a much better idea.

Answer 9

Sorry - I too am with Ulva.  Get the dog out of your house.  There is NO excuse for a dog biting a child unprovoked.  Unless the child was actually abusing the dog, the dog should never bite.  Ever.  It amazes me that a young teenager has more sense than most adults in this forum!

Answer 10

kill it. Now!!!

Answer 11

GET RID OF IT because if she has bitten your daughter and then 10 mins after that growling at your sone then she is doing it for a reason i wouldnt trust the dog with my kids

Answer 12

Well isnt that BAD .!

BOO

did i scare you ?

Answer 13

Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear but i wouldn't give a hoot if my dog was having a bad day, felt threatened, or any other reason, the second it bit or even growled at my child, it would be out of the door.

No ifs, buts, or maybes,  the consequences dont bear thinking about.

Animals can be replaced, children cant. Why would anybody dare take a gamble with a childs life, its beyond my comprehension.

Answer 14

It depends this is a really tough situation for you. The dog should be used to your daughter - even if she is rough with it. I would look at the circumstances surrounding the event. - was the dog provoked, was there any food nearby that it might have been protecting. I supposed only you know the answer, but I think you need to decide whether on not you trust the dog anymore and there is your answer.

Answer 15

by by doggy

Answer 16

Was the bone near the dog at the time of the hug?  This is such a hard question to answer.  I can say that we adopted a dog from the pound and several months later had to get rid of him for biting and breaking skin on our daughter.  The circumstances at the time of the bite is what you need to consider.  I would really watch the dog to see what happens.  Look at the surroundings to make sure that the dog wasn't feeling like she was getting her treat taken away.  I hope every thing works out for you.

Answer 17

The bones had nothing to do with it, unless she was eating them at the time of the hug.

How old is your daughter and how bad was the bite? Were you supervising them?  

Did your daughter move suddenly and scare the dog?

How old is the dane. If it has not been socialized, it may not know how to react.

www.bigdogsporch.com may be able to help you more. It is a giant breed dog forum.

Answer 18

wow thats really hard have you tried a trainer

Answer 19

If your daughter hugged the dog while it was chewing on the bone, that was probably why, otherwise, she might have been startled...i hope she feels better

if the dog bite her for no apparent reason and is showing more and more agression i would probably get rid of it, but otherwise, if your daughter and the dog are okay, and the dog is still friendly, i think u should keep it, that my opinion, but it is your choice..what does your daughter think?

Answer 20

keep your dog whats the worst that could happen your child have its face ripped offf  cant believe your even considering keeping this dog  

Answer 21

It was probably the bones you gave her, beacause there so good to her, she thinks they are going to take it. See how see is this week and make sure that shes still not aggressive. that should make up your mind. if she bites again, give her away..would you rather have a dog or a broken little child. =(

HOPE I HELPED!!!

Answer 22

You should probably get rid of it, cause if you chance it any longer the dog could do worse next time. My aunties dog bit my cousin and she had to seperate with it incase, it was very hard but she got another dog and alls well again.

Answer 23

This is a really tough situation, and I feel for you.  First and foremost, your human family is most important.

Now, lets look into it a little.  Dogs aren't huge fans of "hugs" a lot of the time, it's intimidating, and it's "dominating".  Also, if the butcher bones were anywhere near your dog, she could've been "protecting her resources".  Also, are you sure you daughter has always treated your dog in a happy, healthy manner?  If she's ever, even inadvertently hurt Molly, she could be uncomfortable around your daughter.

Taking chances is something you really can't do,  your daughter needs to be safe.  Some dogs are just not good with children.  Mine is a fine example.  You know your dog, and daughter best, so this is simply some things for you to consider.

Answer 24

i think i might be the bone thing... we have a golden lab (hes a complete t**t but soo gentle) but he can get a bit funny when we get him bones from the butchers (he can growl and stuff) its probably that.... i must be really hard for you cause we always have kids in the house like cusins and stuff and when you have a generally well behaved dog then its hard to know what to do...

i wouldnt get rid of her... thats not right...she probably didnt know and i  wouldnt get her any more bones from the butchers...maybe your daughter accidently squeezed her too hard and it bothered the dog??? who knows.... maybe got out of the wrong side of the bed??? :)

Answer 25

In my experience giving dogs bones is a BIG mistake. Vets don't approve either because they cause all sorts of health problems. Give the dog something else to chew like hard biscuits and nylon chews you can get from the pet shop.  Our Lab was a bit unhappy if someone touched him when he had a butchers bone but was OK with the biscuits etc I have suggested.  So stop giving the dog bones teach your daughter to treat the dog properly and let your family enjoy having a loving dog.

Answer 26

i'd guess there's more to it. did you see it happen? maybe she hurt the dog when hugging her & the dog reacted. maybe the dog thought that bone you gave her was going to be taken away. i doubt that out of nowhere your nice dog just suddenly acted out. i wouldn't get rid of the dog though. monitor the situation. if it keeps happening, something has suddenly changed to make her suddenly change. some dogs are not good with kids.  personally, you had the dog first, get rid of the kid :) I'm just kidding i swear.

Answer 27

This is tough - but my instincts as a mother say you must seek professional advise ASAP. I would NOT trust a dog that has bitten such as you described - do it once and there is a chance she will do it again.  

She is still however a puppy andat that age they do still try thier luck - but she has broken the skin and this is not acceptable. I hope you have contacted your hospital to check whether she needs a jab.  Normally she should be ok if her tetnus is upto date.

But once again, I would not have the dog in the same house again until I have spoken to someone such as a vet and she has received some sort of training.

Good luck, it really is a tough decision.  Let us know how you get on.

Answer 28

She probobly just got scared.If your daughter is pretty young she could of been hugging the dog to tightly little kids will do that!I would give her another chance!I hope that you got on to her when she did that!I got bit by a dog when I was about 10 and my Dad got on to th dog very harshly and she NEVER tried it again and that has ben years ago!

Answer 29

I don't care why she did it or the fact that she has never been like that before... no dog would stay another day in my house if she bit my child!!

Answer 30

With two young children in your home you need to get a good trainer to help do an assessment and advise on training with your dog the following link has a list of trainers

http://www.apdt.co.uk/index.asp.

If this bite is out of character the dog may be sick is she showing any signs of illness? You may want to get her checked out by a vet.

There could be many reasons why this happened and you need to see a good trainer face to face, you should be able to find one from the above link.

A trainer will be able to help you make an educated decision but please find a good one as anyone can call themselves a trainer the ones from the above link should all be using good methods of trainings and are qualified.

Edit Contact the Dogs Trust if you want to re-home her as they will carry out an assessment and will place her in a suitable home, they can also complete any necessary training which she may require.

Answer 31

It's likely the dog was trying to warn your daughter off the way it would warn another dog who was being obnoxious...it nipped at her and since it's a child, it broke the skin.  Dogs often interpret hugs as dominance.  They have no real concept of "hugs" like humans do.  They don't understand it's affection and as such they see it entirely differently.

This article will tell you more than I can: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles...

The important point from the article: "We might expect that a dog that is not used to being hugged, or a dog who gets a hug from a stranger (or from a child who may take it a bit too far) might interpret the gesture as one of dominance or aggression and react accordingly."

I would NOT get rid of the dog.  Instead, I would teach your daughter how to act more appropriately around the dog.  If you can't teach your daughter to respect the dog's boundaries and to understand canine body language, then giving the dog to someone without kids might ultimately be best.