Dog Bites Son

[goat]

I have a 2 1/2 year old male GSD. We got the dog as a puppy and he has never shown any aggressive behavior. Very gentle dog with the wife and two kids, age 4 and 7. We have 2 other dogs and he is low man on the pack order. Kids have played with him, pawed him, hugged, kissed forever with no issues.

Tonight Wes (the dog) was lying on the kitchen floor while I was cleaning up, the two kids come in, lie down next to Wes and are hugging and petting him. A minute later, Wes whips around and nails my son with a bite on the face causing blood. Nice one tooth puncture on the cheek. No idea if my son kneed him somewhere that hurt him. Doubt it was pulling. It happened so fast I don't know if the dog whimpered before the bite as if he got hurt, kitchen sink was running too.

So what is the best way for me to deal with this? Open for ideas. Thanks.

[msvette2u]

Don't let the kids lay down next to him and hug him. Dogs, while they do tolerate a certain amount of that, don't enjoy hugging and kissing the way people do.
Teach your kids to sit next to him and pet him, not lay on or near him and hug/kiss.

Also you may want to have a vet check up because it could indeed be that the dog is painful.

**Also check here http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/

And get the book if you can. "The other end of the Leash".

[KZoppa]

Take your dog to the vet and have a full physical done. Its possible your son hit an already hurt spot and your dog reacted. Remind your kids to be gentle with him. Might want to discourage the laying and hugging him especially until you know whats going on.

I hope this was a one time incident and your kids and dog dont have any negative associations with each other. I hope your son is okay.

[carmspack]

get your son some medical attention. You don't want any infection in the face , sinus , eye area .

[goat]

thanks for the info so far. I thought about an injury to the dog and I see nothing as of yet. Maybe he got his privates kneed accidently on something else that just hurt. I hope that is all, the dog has been a lamb so far.

I cleaned the wound with alcohol, hydrogen perox and then some neosporin. I'll take him to the doctor tomorrow morning.

[ILGHAUS]

Wes whips around ... Nice one tooth puncture on the cheek.

In my opinion ...

This was possibly not a bite. Dog could have just jerked his head (possibly was in pain) and caught your son on the face. I've had this happen to me on the face (one tooth) by a pup and another time dog was grabbing at an object and I believe he realized that he was aiming too close to my hand as he then quickly jerked his head sideways thereby getting me with one tooth on the hand.

A nip with skin discoloration or a bite would usually have upper and lower teeth involved.

In anycase, I would not allow the kids to lay down next to the dog until you have time to evaluate the situation. Also, discourage hugging and kissing at least for now.

Something also to keep in mind, highest group of victims of bite cases are boys up through the age of 6 with bites on the face. Boys tend to play rougher and louder and even in their hugging are usually more forceful then a little girl tends to be.

In working with children on safety around dogs one of the things we tell them is not to bother a dog that is sleeping or laying down resting. (Dog could be sick or hurting if laying down vrs. interacting with the kids.) If the child wants to play with the dog then they need to call the dog to them.

[goat]

Originally Posted by ILGHAUS

In my opinion ...

This was possibly not a bite. Dog could have just jerked his head (possibly was in pain) and caught your son on the face. I've had this happen to me on the face (one tooth) by a pup and another time dog was grabbing at an object and I believe he realized that he was aiming too close to my hand as he then quickly jerked his head sideways thereby getting me with one tooth on the hand.

A nip with skin discoloration or a bite would usually have upper and lower teeth involved.

In anycase, I would not allow the kids to lay down next to the dog until you have time to evaluate the situation. Also, discourage hugging and kissing at least for now.

Something also to keep in mind, highest group of victims of bite cases are boys up through the age of 6 with bites on the face. Boys tend to play rougher and louder and even in their hugging are usually more forceful then a little girl tends to be.

So if I make sure my son does not lay down near the dog and just pets, do I still have a problem that I need to deal with? Anything more I can do? My son did have a small swollen area with a mark below the eye. No puncture, just a very small nick. I can't for the life of me remember what noise the dog made prior to the bite.

[msvette2u]

I would not dismiss it as "maybe not a bite". I would treat it as a very credible warning that your dog no longer appreciates being hugged by your kids.
This is common. Did you check out McConnell's site? You need to learn now to interpret body language. Remove your kids, separate the dog (not in a punishing way but more of a "giving him some space right now" manner) when he's displaying body language that indicates he is uncomfortable.
Has he ever growled before, or curled up his lip?

K9 Body Language Please read through this tonight. Or 1st thing tomorrow.

[ILGHAUS]

No puncture, just a very small nick.

That sounds like a tooth grazing the skin. But, of course you need to be concerned in that either the dog or your son(s) or even both may be too rough or else not showing proper manners toward each other.

I would make sure that both boys had a lesson on proper actions around a dog and that they are both involved in the care of the dog. Have them put the food bowl down, give treats, etc. All of this under your supervision.

Here's a link that you can use to begin a safety review with the boys.
::: Safe and Sound :::

I would also follow through with a vet check and explain to your vet what happened and that you are concerned that there may be a sore area or other problem. Let the vet know that you are just wanting to rule out any medical reasons for what happend.

Now would also be a good time to really work on obedience with the dog and also have the boys work on basic commands with your dog.

And ... make sure that there is an adult present whenever the dog and the boys are together. Keep an eye and ear open to monitor their actions around each other and work on any problems that you see. If the dog gives any further concern then seperate right away and seek professional help. Don't make excuses for the dog or the boys but watch and evaluate. All could have been nothing but a fluke happening but it should not just be shrugged off either.

[goat]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

I would not dismiss it as "maybe not a bite". I would treat it as a very credible warning that your dog no longer appreciates being hugged by your kids.
This is common. Did you check out McConnell's site? You need to learn now to interpret body language. Remove your kids, separate the dog (not in a punishing way but more of a "giving him some space right now" manner) when he's displaying body language that indicates he is uncomfortable.
Has he ever growled before, or curled up his lip?

K9 Body Language Please read through this tonight. Or 1st thing tomorrow.

never ever growled or displayed anything but gentleness.

He has had one odd behavior. If me or the wife wrestle or play hard with my son and my son is laughing or making loud noises while we are playing hard, Wes comes up to my son and starts to nibble my son with his front teeth as if he is nibbling corn on the cob. Has happened twice and I let the dog know this was not allowed. No issues since.

But no, Wes has never showed any signs of anger with the kids. Even with his rubber ball he is very gentle if the kids hold it and he wants it.