My Dog bit my daughter

I posted about this on the parenting board but figured I would post here too. Over the weekend my 6 year old dachshund bit one of my daughters. She is only 10 months old. She was playing on the floor like she always does and I was watching my twins play. My dog walked by daughter and she went to pet him and before she could even touch him my dog turned around and bit her face. He got her lip and right under her eye. He has never been mean to them and has always let them pet him. Maybe I shouldnt have let him in the room while they were playing but it has never been a problem before.

I feel terrible about this. Ever since this happened he has been in his crate until they go to bed (only about 3-4 hours a night). My first reaction to this was we need to get rid of him. The more I thought about it I said ok we can keep him but maybe try a muzzle or in the crate. When we do let him out while we are holding them for the girls last bottle at night I am very scared.

I feel awful this happened. I cannot stop thinking about it. I do not think it is fair to him to be locked in a cage. We tried blocking the living room off but he gets in anyway. The opening is really big and we don't have a gate that big.

The more and more I think about it I think the best option is for me to find him a new home. I have asked many people what they think and it is mixed. Some people say are you kidding he would be gone already and others feel bad and say to keep him, it may not happen again. My thought is what if it does happen again?

We had brought my daughter to the ER and they said we have to call the department of health and have him watched for 10 days to see how his behavior is. I had called the number the hospital provided which was the SPCA and the lady who answered said they are moving their office and I would have to call back later in the week.

If he would have bitten her because she did touch him then I would feel a little better about this, but it was unprovoked and that is what is getting me to think he would do this again.

I am not sure what I am asking for her but if anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

The only thing I wanted to add was I have a suggestion for a baby gate that we usedto use to block a large opening. We used the superyard , and we would keep it open fully to block our large entrance, and prop it up with ottomans or a chair. Small dogs cannot push through any kind of gate if it is secured on the ends. ALways worked for my dogs who are bigger than yours.

As for him doing it again, yes, he absolutely can. But the main thing is keeping him out right now while they are learning new things, esp on the ground learning to crawl, etc. Only you can decide what you want to do in the end.

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

I would talk to your vet and see if maybe there is something going on with him....is it possible he is jealous? Or maybe he isn't being walked enough? How is his health? Sorry you are going through this!

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

Posted by FDNYWife31

I would talk to your vet and see if maybe there is something going on with him....is it possible he is jealous? Or maybe he isn't being walked enough? How is his health? Sorry you are going through this!

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

Posted by TwinDani

Posted by FDNYWife31

I would talk to your vet and see if maybe there is something going on with him....is it possible he is jealous? Or maybe he isn't being walked enough? How is his health? Sorry you are going through this!

I am going to call the vet today actually. I have the same concerns maybe something is wrong, he isnt feeling well or something.

Message edited 9/7/2012 10:14:19 AM.

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

You have an obligation to protect your child and you have an obligation to help your dog be happy. Usually an animal's behavior escalates overtime. An unprovoked attack out of the clear blue would concern me that something is wrong medically with the dog. Has the dog had issues with possessiveness. Unfortunately with some smaller dogs they can be snippy and not the best with children. Giving your pet away would be my last option (but I certainly wouldn't rule it out either). I would try a trainer first. I would take the dog for walks. Instead of isolating the dog I would involve your child and the dog is some play together. An example might be helping your daughter roll a ball to the dog (good skill for your daughter and play time for puppy). PP's suggestion about the playard is a good one.

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

I totally agree with the last two responses. I hope everything works out and please keep us posted

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I made an appointment with the vet for tomorrow morning. He is due for a check-up anyway. We are going to walk him more often and bring him to my parents once in a while to run in their back yard. We live in a condo right now. The last thing I want to do is re-home him. I have read a lot about it and many dogs just get passed from home to home and that is not what I want for him. He is VERY special to me and helped me through tough times.

I am going to get a play yard type thing and block the living room. He is only around the girls maybe 3-4 hours a night when we are home from work.

He has always been very protective of me, pretty much since the day we brought him home has a puppy. I also think he has some anxiety type issues from all the reading I have been doing.

Thank you for all the advice and I will keep everyone updated.

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Re: My Dog bit my daughter

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

Posted by Goobster



Btw, I saw 2 doxies in the vet's for boarding but hanging out in the play area. One of them lunged at me when we saw me, and the other was just crying and whimpering the whole time. I think doxies have a lot classic issues, much like yours sounds too.

Please keep us posted.

Re: My Dog bit my daughter

My dog can be agressive. Before I had my kids, he had bitten DH and I on several occasions. (He's 25lbs so he didn't do a lot of damage to us, mostly broke the skin, but it hurt!)

When I was pregnant we hired a trainer to help with his agression. The bottom line was that I have to really watch him around my kids. Although he has never bitten them, even if they grab him, he just runs away. Dh & I did discuss having to rehome him if he did bite them but luckily, we haven't been put in that position. It would have been a very hard decision and although Murray is a member of the family, my kids come first and I have to protect them.

My advice to you, would definitely take him to the vet. Maybe he has an ear infection or arthritis or something and he is scared that the babies are going to hurt him. (My dog has arthritis and gets nervous if you go anywhere near his leg) Then maybe try a trainer. We used Best Friends Dog Training.

Good luck