[lactavia]

Wrong place - wrong - right place!

Neighbor's Dog Nipped son's behind
I was over visiting my neighbor's new baby, when the owner (new mom) let her dog out of the crate and the dog ran toward my son and nipped him on the bottom right next to their sleeping 1 week old daughter.

There is so many things wrong with the sentence I just wrote - but let's focus on my son for a second. I thought he just got nipped on the pants, but when I put him in the tub tonight, I saw that the dog got a scratch - a small open wound from the dog. We washed it with soap and water, and put antibatieral cream on it.

Is that it then? Should I call the doctors?

I'm going to tell my neighbors tomorrow that their dog did get him, but how do you tell your neighbors that you think that they are potentially putting their newborn child in harm's way? Those dogs are not trained and were in the crate - why she took one out is beyond me!! I'm trying to be as nice as I can, but I think they need a wake up call. Those dogs will defiantly bite again, and it will be their beautiful little girl.

I'm worried about my son - he's fine stopped crying once the dog was taken away back to the crate and yelled at my neighbor - telling her that their dog was bad and they need to get rid of it (he's 3 - and brilliant).

I feel like a dope to have even let him in their house in the first place, but they were locked up so I figured it would be okay. Ugh.

 

[pbjmama]

I would call the neighbor, inform them that it broke the skin and ask for records of the dogs shots.

 

[lactavia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbjmama I would call the neighbor, inform them that it broke the skin and ask for records of the dogs shots.

Sounds good. I'm just kinda in a shock right now. Ugh.

 

[SaraLe6]

I would call the doctor. In some states they are required to report even "small" attacks such as that (though I don't really believe any attack is small... was the dog obviously being viscious (sp?), or is it possible the dog was trying to play?).

I honestly don't know what to tell you. When I was dating my now X who is the father of my first child, his parent's dog forced his way out of the room he was kept in, jumped at me, knocking me 5 feet into their dining room table and took a bite out of my arm.. no broken skin but a wicked bite-shaped bruise and loss of some movement in that hand for awhile. I should have reported it, but because he was my boyfriend and it was his old dog, I kept quite. Now I sincerely wish I hadn't, since neither he or his parents see NO reason why they should allow my son to play with this viscious dog who is known to bite unprovoked. We're talking about a huge rottweiler, so more than large enough to severely injure or even kill my 3 year old if he snaps.

 

[lactavia]

I've called - waiting for a call back.

My son was looking at the newborn when the dog ran out of the crate (owner let him out) barking and bit him on the bum.

I would be interested to hear what the doctor says about reporting the incident.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraLe6 I would call the doctor. In some states they are required to report even "small" attacks such as that (though I don't really believe any attack is small... was the dog obviously being viscious (sp?), or is it possible the dog was trying to play?). I honestly don't know what to tell you. When I was dating my now X who is the father of my first child, his parent's dog forced his way out of the room he was kept in, jumped at me, knocking me 5 feet into their dining room table and took a bite out of my arm.. no broken skin but a wicked bite-shaped bruise and loss of some movement in that hand for awhile. I should have reported it, but because he was my boyfriend and it was his old dog, I kept quite. Now I sincerely wish I hadn't, since neither he or his parents see NO reason why they should allow my son to play with this viscious dog who is known to bite unprovoked. We're talking about a huge rottweiler, so more than large enough to severely injure or even kill my 3 year old if he snaps.

 

[lactavia]

Went and told the neighbors, their dogs have all their shots up to date and the dogs are behaving normal (if that is what you call normal) to them.

I'm still kinda shaken up by it a bit...more worried about their little girl then anything else.

I'm sure it won't be the last time this happens...but hopefully it will be.

 

[Slabobbin]

I don't think it sounds very "brilliant" for a child to speak to an adult the way your son spoke to the neighbor. It certainly isn't something that I would be proud of or encourage.

I'm betting that the dog was upset by all of the changes in the household (new baby) and was maybe feeling protective of the baby. The dog definitely needs some training.

 

[_betsy_]

The dog(s?) need training, and you also need to take this seriously and ge tthe neighbors too as well.

If someone had reported my attacker's first bites, I wouldn't have been almost killed as a 6yo at a friend's house for a birthday party. Small bites are still bites and need to be reported.

 

[LynnS6]

I think the neighbor needed to hear that their dog was bad. More accurate is that their dogs need training.

Depending on how forward I was feeling, I would say one of two things to the neighbor:
The me willing to take a risk would say:
"I'm really worried about your newborn daughter and those dogs. If one of your dogs could run up and bite my ds without provocation, what might they do to your daughter if you put her down in a swing or on the floor? I know it's not my place, but I'd strongly encourage you to take them in for some more training."

The passive me would say:
"Have you seen the show "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet? I'm just amazed at how that trainer uses positive methods to reform some really problematic dogs/owners. Have you thought about some training for you dogs so they're OK with your daughter before they become a problem?"

 

[Dandelionkid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slabobbin I don't think it sounds very "brilliant" for a child to speak to an adult the way your son spoke to the neighbor. It certainly isn't something that I would be proud of or encourage. I'm betting that the dog was upset by all of the changes in the household (new baby) and was maybe feeling protective of the baby. The dog definitely needs some training.

C'mon- he's three and just got bit by a dog. I wouldn't bat an eye if an adult got upset at getting bit and said the same things.

 

[kdtmom2be]

What breed is the dog? MY dog might think that your son was threatening one of his "sheep" and would probably come and check him out. I would agree that nipping in the butt to break skin probably wouldn't happen with mine, but he's very well trained and from your report these dogs are not. Age has something to do with it as well. Also, consider the stress that the dog is under at the moment too, it's life has just changed and they've been bumped down a peg in the family heirarchy.

Anyhow, try to have just a little compassion for the dog and understand that just because he nipped YOUR kid doesn't necessarily mean that it will nip THIER kid. (Then again, it very well might! But there are two sides to every story.)

 

[AutumnAir]

A dog that will bite people is a dog that will bite people. A dog that will bite a child is a dog that will bite a baby.

I would have absolutely no compassion for a dog (or its owner) that bit my child. As I said above, that means that it is a dangerous animal, and either needs training NOW or needs to be removed from a family situation completely.

Where would you be if you had compassion for the man who hit his wife? We all know that once a man (or woman) has resorted to domestic violence they are that much more likely to do it again. You don't make excuses for them. You get out of that situation asap. Much easier to do with a dog than a bad partner, but same principle.

A dog that has shown itself capable of biting a person will do it again. It's just a matter of when and who.

 

[Slabobbin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dandelionkid C'mon- he's three and just got bit by a dog. I wouldn't bat an eye if an adult got upset at getting bit and said the same things.

Honestly, it wasn't so much that he *said* it (I know that three year olds have poor impulse control) it was the fact that she seemed so proud of it and thought that he was so "brilliant" for doing so.

 

[tanyalynn]

Ask down in the Pets area as well (or better, call your vet if you have one). I did some reading when my first child (now 5yo) was a baby about canine behavior. IIRC, a dog that bites on the bottom is more of a risk for future biting (and serious incidents) than a dog that bites on the face, because although for people (esp kids, clearly) bites on the face are serious, a bite on the bottom (when the person is turned away) is more indicative of a vicious/inappropriate response (dogs nip each other on the face as a more normal dog-behavior, and while it's not okay, clearly, I think there's more room to modify that behavior). Anyway, not sure I'm remembering right, so ask, but I think this may be an issue that you may need to address further. And

this sounds scary for all of you. I am impressed your son could communicate clearly after this.

 

[Murph12334]

Some dogs are ver protective and will go after others not in their family. Does that make it ok, HECK NO! He needs trained not to do this or the family needs to ensure he isn't able to hurt others.

We had a lasa aphso growing up. Little dog that would defend any of us in the family with her life. She was a very protective dog. She was fenced in and the neighbor (knowing she was a protective dog) decided to stick his hand over to pet her. He got bit. The dog was protecting her property. He admitted he was being dumb sticking his hand over the fence.

But if we were to have let the dog outside and she bit him it totally would have been our fault. If you have a dog that might do something like that you need to be aware and protect others from the dog or better yet, train the dog to not do those behaviors.

 

[Paeta16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slabobbin I don't think it sounds very "brilliant" for a child to speak to an adult the way your son spoke to the neighbor. It certainly isn't something that I would be proud of or encourage. I'm betting that the dog was upset by all of the changes in the household (new baby) and was maybe feeling protective of the baby. The dog definitely needs some training.

I actually agree with this. I would guess that the dog is out of sorts with having a new baby or that the dog is protecting the new "pup" as one of his pack. Was it seriously a vicious attack?

I don't agree with a dog who will nip a child will bite a baby...esp. if that baby is part of his "pack."

I also would not be proud of my child for speaking to a neighbour that way.

I'm sorry your son was bitten and that is NOT okay by any means but I truly don't understand your fear for the baby to be honest.

Are you/have you ever been a dog owner?

 

[lurve]

i am a dog owner. i had one of my four dogs on the bed when i gave birth to my daughter. that same dog nipped my daughter on the face when she was one years old. i gave that dog away. i love my dogs. i love my baby girl more. sometimes you have to do what you have to do as the alpha and protector. all this is just to say that i understand why you fear for the baby's safety.

 

[greenmagick]

How old is the dog? What breed? Was he growling and snarling? I definitely would not assume the baby was in any danger based on the limited amount of info given.....not saying she may not be.

I would definitely tell the owners what happened, and that its not OK....however, I would not bring up their child and possible danger to her. Keep in focused on the actual situation.

 

[kriket]

man. I'm really surprised at some of these answers. Do none of you have dogs? I'm a little shocked at the blanket statements that a dog who bites is a dangerous animal and needs to be removed? Children and other peoples dogs do not mix. Unless you stone cold know the dog, keep your children away.

You need to protect YOUR child. Don't worry about the neighbors kid or dog. If you need shot records, thats fine. If the dog had no prior experience with children *I* wouldn't have let him out of the cage. Dogs who don't understand children treat them like other dogs. That means nipping and other dog behavior. The dog probably needs trained on how to handle children. Your child probably also needs to be trained on how to handle dogs.

I don't know all the facts, but it sounds like the dog was protecting the baby.

 

[rainbowmoon]

I don't agree dog that nip are always dangerous. I used to have a small dog I would never trust with children as she definitely would have nipped! (I didn't have kids at the time though) I would however not let your child near the neighbors dog again. Period. Better to be safe than sorry!

I recently had to put down my 2 dogs (rotties) because they killed one of my goats

I just could not trust them with my kids even though they were outside dogs (They didn't like my kids either and would snap at them on occasion) I am still VERY sad but I think I did the right thing. I don't think training would have been the answer in my case but it's definitely going to be a solution for some animals!