[lactavia]

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.

 

[sewaneecook]

I think dogs are great pets, but as soon as one shows any sign of being agressive, it needs to be kept away from children. However, since this isn't your pet, things are a bit more problematic. You can only protect your little guy.

If it were my friend, I would let her know that the dog broke skin and when you are visiting the dog needs to be kept in the crate the entire time. This is a dog that can no longer be trusted.

Too often pet owners underestimate the agressiveness of their pet. While I was taking a walk I was bit unprovoked by an unleashed neighborhood dog who "would never hurt anyone" according to her owner. At the time of the bite, the neighbor wasn't home (and I didn't know how to contact him), so I called animal control. The dog ended up being put to sleep and the owner blamed me even though it was their negligence in keeping the dog properly contained.

Since you know the owner, express your concerns and let her know that if it happened once, it will certainly happen again and she's completely liable for any harm her pet causes.

 

[cschick]

Obviously, I wasn't there to see the situation . . . but in general, a dog who nips anyone on the heels, back of the leg or butt isn't trying to harm. The dog is trying to herd.

In this case, the dog was probably trying to herd the danger he perceived (your child standing next to the sleeping baby) away from the member of his pack he was trying to protect (the sleeping baby).

The dog does need training to bring his herding instincts under further control: once you and your son had been welcomed by the rest of the pack, he shouldn't have perceived you as a danger.

 

[confustication]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cschick Obviously, I wasn't there to see the situation . . . but in general, a dog who nips anyone on the heels, back of the leg or butt isn't trying to harm. The dog is trying to herd. In this case, the dog was probably trying to herd the danger he perceived (your child standing next to the sleeping baby) away from the member of his pack he was trying to protect (the sleeping baby). The dog does need training to bring his herding instincts under further control: once you and your son had been welcomed by the rest of the pack, he shouldn't have perceived you as a danger.

I agree with this. That isn't to say I let my kids unsupervised around nippy dogs (my folks have one- it's herding instinct gone wrong and I get that) but you do need to be aware that there is a difference between agressive 'biting' and herding/nipping. The law does not differentiate, and if you go to a doctor, the bite will be reported to law enforcement, and the animal is likely to be put down. I think asking that the animal be crated when you are present is resonable, I think killing an animal for what sounds like a non-aggressive behavior is not reasonable.

 

[cschick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by confustication I agree with this. That isn't to say I let my kids unsupervised around nippy dogs (my folks have one- it's herding instinct gone wrong and I get that) but you do need to be aware that there is a difference between agressive 'biting' and herding/nipping. The law does not differentiate, and if you go to a doctor, the bite will be reported to law enforcement, and the animal is likely to be put down. I think asking that the animal be crated when you are present is resonable, I think killing an animal for what sounds like a non-aggressive behavior is not reasonable.

What worries me more than the nip is the fact that the dog felt it necessary to protect the baby. That indicates to me that the dog does not trust who should be the alpha members of his pack (the parents) to protect the babe, which means that the dog is confused about the pack hierarchy. I wouldn't worry about the babe in this circumstance, but I would worry about future visitors.

A basic obedience class is really what is needed. Basic obedience is both about training the dog to be a well-behaved dog and the OWNERS to be good owners.

Although, given that this is a new babe, the upheaval in the house could have stressed the dog out, resulting in this behavior too. If they have done obedience in the past, doing some daily obedience work would help the dog.

 

[betsyj]

Quote:

Although, given that this is a new babe, the upheaval in the house could have stressed the dog out, resulting in this behavior too. If they have done obedience in the past, doing some daily obedience work would help the dog.

When we first brought our baby home my poor dog did not know what to do with herself. Even though we spent my pregnancy getting her used to baby sounds, establishing a routine we would be using once baby came home, etc it is no subsitute for the real deal. My dog is very well trained but my goodness a new baby is a HUGE upheavel for everyone-why should our poor dogs be any different.

While what happened is not ok, I would simply insist the dog be crated when you are there. I would gently let the parents know what happened so they can be more proactive in the future and be aware they may have issues with visiting guests. Hopefully they will tighten up the obedience and structure so the dog can relax.

 

[EmpoweringBirth]

Is the dog a puppy or new to the family?