Dogs with toddlers

[B00]

As most of you know I have a 2yr old toddler and up-til Tuesday this week I had an 8 yr old dog (A jack russell cross). Both got on extremely well and I was never concerned about the two of them alone together in a room. That is, like I said, until Tuesday....

I was in the kitchen making a start on the tea, and I'd left them both on the sofa in the other room one watching TV and the other snoring alongside her, when I heard the dog growl, snap and Mini Boo screaming. I ran in to discover the dog cowering in a corner scared and Mini Boo's face streaming with blood.

3 hours later at casualty I discovered my 'beloved' dog has bitten Mini Boo's nose twice, her cheek and knocked one of her front teeth out.

The dog has now been re-homed at my mum's and luckily Mini Boo's face is healing nicely and she wont have scars.

The point of my post?? I'm not sure really, maybe it's to let everyone else know that as soft as your dog may seem, you can never ever truly trust them alongside inquisitive toddlers.

I have truly learned my lesson here and will not now get another dog until Mini Boo is a lot older and fully understands that dogs aren't there for her to climb on! It's just a pity that I've learnt it at the expense of my toddlers face. The guilt I feel over the whole episode is unbelievable.


Thanks for listening to me ramble on.......

[makemesmile]

How awful for you, but (luckily) it sounds like it's not too serious, but serious enough. Unfortunately, dogs don't understand that a little human has to be treated differently to a big one.

But don't beat yourself up, accidents happen, it's how you deal with them that counts : )

[B00]

Yes I know makemesmile, I know you're right, but honestly, the guilt is overwhelming. Also the looks you get when you venture outside are unreal too, it really looks like I've been beating the crap out of her!!

As silly as it sounds to some people too, I really miss my dog as well :-(

[amonty1144]

I really feel for you, you obviously didn't get a warning. When my son was born our golden retriever just freaked, we had to rehome him straight away. I have other dogs with my son but I'm afraid you can never trust them completely.
Hope your child gets better soon.

[Annlinda]

So sorry Boo that you have had to learn the hard way that no matter how reliable you think your dog is never trust it alone with children. Dont blame yourself, there but for the grace of god go many of us dog owners.. One thing though dont let your baby grow up to be frightened of dogs.
Hope the scars heal quickly

[TheGopher]

No dog can be trusted completely, but neither can any toddler!

Don't blame yourself, little one or the poor dog. He was probably asleep and little one tried to kiss him on the nose or something! Probably, it was an instinctive reaction, rather than aggression. One of my children decided to see if the dog could fly if pushed down the stairs. Fortunately, nothing terrible happened.

I am glad you have rehomed your dog with someone he knows well and obviously loves him. Take comfort in that and the fact no real harm has been done. A nasty shock though for all concerned though.

Please let her make friends with your dog again though, to give her her confidence back, and don't leave it too long before either getting your dog back or having another pet. Children only learn how to treat animals by watching their parents and I am a firm believer that children brought up with animals learn to respect animals and therefore learn respect for life in general.

Above all, you have nothing to feel guilty about.

(Are you the new Ed?!! - if not, why not)

[B00]

Thank you guys for the kind words, I've been hesitant to post this thread over the last few days, I fully expected a "what did you expect" kind of answer from someone (mind you, there's still time!).

Gopher, you're a real sweetheart xxxx, no I'm not the new Ed, I wouldnt have that job given I can tell ya! Plus I'd be really crap at it, lol.

I've thought about getting him back a few years down the line, afterall he's only 8, but would it be fair on him? He'll have well and truly settled at my mums then and to uproot him again seems cruel to be honest.

Looking back, like you've said, I do believe it was a case of that she (Mini Boo) shocked him awake somehow and he reacted instictively, however I'll not get him back or indeed get another till she's old enough to realise that they aren't climbing frames.

She really loves dogs in general, and I've often to hold her back if she sees one out and about till iv'e been reassured by an owner that the dog is friendly before I let her pat them, and I'll continue letting her do it. I don't want her to be frightened of them and would love another (possibly him again? I dunno) in the future.

Thanks once again for the kind words everyone xxxx

[mycats]

Oh gawd I hope she is ok hon
I know how scary it is, mini Cat was attacked by his friends dog and ended up with seven stitches in his face.
He is NOT scared of dogs though, which I am glad about, so I hope its the same for mini B00, kisses for mini B00 x x

[aka pixi]

aww boo thats so awful, hope miniboo is okay xxx

[andy-hughes]

So sorry to hear of this incident, and glad that your little Boo is not badly hurt.

As mentioned, dogs are unpredictable. As pack animals, so accept a step down the hierarchy when a new family member comes in - some don't, or as suggested, maybe little Boo frightened or upset your dod in some way.

Just so glad you have a JR, if it had been a bigger more savage breed, who knows what might have happened! The point about the more vicious breed of dogs is, not matter how docile they appear, when they do kick off, it's a lot more serious!

Hope your little Boo will get over this, and that your dog will enjoy his new home, and may accept little Boo as a 'visitor' to his new pack, rather than someone who has taken over his place in the pecking order.

[mycats]

Boo - not trying to be funny but if your dog had snapped and growled at her before, why did you wait untill he had bitten her to get rid of him?