Dog bit my grandson

[Bear44]

People put way to much importance on the breed of dog. You can find any personality in any breed of dog. They are all individuals. With that said, breeds may have a tendency to exhibit certain traits in general. There's nothing wrong with keeping that in mind as long as you don't apply the generalization to the individual. I've met Rotties that look fierce, but were extremely gentle, Labs that look at you like you're stupid if you expect them to chase the ball you just threw and Bloodhounds that would barely notice if a skunk walked within three feet of them.

Also, don't put to much emphases on getting a puppy because they have a known history. A dog's behavior is not created just by their nurture. In fact, a dogs nature (basic personality) is genetic. This is why dogs that are raised from a puppy in a kind and loving home can become very bad news. It is also why dogs that have been in terrible situations when rescued often turn out to be great dogs even though they had been seriously abused. You can control a dog's nature, but you can't change it. However, most dogs are so resilient you can overcome almost anything that has happened in the past to a dog with an inherently good nature.

Personally, I prefer to get dogs that are at least six months old so I can evaluate their nature and know what kind of personality they have. Getting a puppy can be a crap shoot because it's very difficult to anticipate what their personality will be like when they mature.

 

[jcountry]

I understand that most "teenage" dogs are confused (and possibly threatened) by children. I think this is why so many bitings happen to kids. Folks should not allow kids to get all in a dog's face. They don't identify a child the same way they do an adult. You just can't let a kid get all into a dog's face. I see people making this mistake a lot.

 

[DogLegArms]

Sorry about your grandson but it's not the dog's fault. Either there was a failure on the adult's part of not supervising and/or the dog hasn't been conditioned to be around children and/or the owner has no control over the dog.

I have a 7 month old and my two dogs are NEVER around him when I or my wife are not there watching. If some creature is screaming, hitting, or pulling your hair, you would react too. Again, sorry to hear about your grandchild, I would be upset too if a dog bit my son. But a lesson to be learned is domesticated animals are still animals by nature and will react accordingly.

 

[Hawkeye1059]

Yep. The type of dog is never that big of an issue, more on how they were raised and cared for.

I didn't mention that they have another black lab. I wasn't there when they came home from the hospital,but I was told he wasn't afraid at all of the other dog at all.

 

[VwBeamer]

Our family dog bit me in the face when i was four. i was pretending like I was eating it's dog food. Anyway, Mom got on to me and the dog lived. I still love dogs and cats.

 

[jamesthemechanic]

dogs seldom bite adults because we tower over them and thus the master and subserviant roles are established . but enter a child into the equation and its different children are at eye level to a dog and thus the dog looks at children different like compitition for food , affection,or just invaders of its space . thats why most dogs bite not attack but bite children. im not saying it all your grandsons fault .because i wasnt there but i have worked with kennel dogs in my youth and learned alot about this type of biteing...knee jerk reaction putting the dog to sleep ...i would have waited and seen if it was one of the actions i listed and then just isolated the child from the dog till he was older just my opinion..

 

[Proximal]

I'm glad your grandson is ok. You did exactly what I would have done with the dog.

 

[zesty]

Sorry about your grandson but it's not the dog's fault. Either there was a failure on the adult's part of not supervising and/or the dog hasn't been conditioned to be around children and/or the owner has no control over the dog.

I have a 7 month old and my two dogs are NEVER around him when I or my wife are not there watching. If some creature is screaming, hitting, or pulling your hair, you would react too. Again, sorry to hear about your grandchild, I would be upset too if a dog bit my son. But a lesson to be learned is domesticated animals are still animals by nature and will react accordingly.

Easy now. A 7month old and a 2yr old are two present very different situations. The parents could have been 10 ft from the child and dog when it happened. Two year olds move quick. It doesn't take long for a dog to react in a way wouldn't expect also.

I'm sure the parents realize something should have been done differently. I have seen dogs give zero reaction to being literally used as a step stool. I've seen dogs snap just for having a leg touched. You have to assume the latter will happen until you see the former a few times.

Sorry this happened, OP. You did the right thing.

 

[chucklenut]

i dont think i would get a rescue dog

 

[shaneadams90]

im a firm believer in getting them as pups. you never know what kind of psycho had it prior to you. and dogs are as impressionable as children. thats what happens when someone makes them a cage ornament and deprives them of human contact

I'm with you on this....I want them as young as possible after they are weened...Let them Imprint on me and my family...while the puppy stage and try your patience, it provides the opportunity to set boundaries for the rest of the dogs life...I have a buddy with a "nervous" dog and I don't trust that SOB for one second...

Sorry about the incident but a boy needs a dog for sure. Hopefully he is young enough to forget it....and the day will come when he will have a true "best friend" in a dog.