A dog bit my son today. :( long...

[Jackie]

UGH! I am so upset with all of this. My son is 4. And for some reason he is very scared of dogs. All dogs have ever done to him is jump up and the very odd one has knocked him down. We own two large dogs that he is mostly ok with and we have a dog rescue and often have the odd puppy in the house (which freaks my son out because puppies like to chew on pants and stuff although none have ever bit him). Sometimes he is ok around dogs, but if he is tired or having a bad day he REALLY freaks when he sees a dog.

So today we were having a yard sale at a friends house out on a farm. She has a aprox 10 month old beagle. He likes to jump up and is kinda rammy so for the sale she had him tied up (just for a short time). He is almost never tied up. My kids and I go to her house ALL the time and we have known the pup since he was 6-8 weeks old. He loves my kids and always wants to play, but because he is so rammy my son doesn't like him at all. But my son has never done anything to the dog other than holler at him to leave him alone (which the dog needs). So today my son had to use the bathroom. I went up to the house and the dog was tied near the steps so he could just about reach them, but not quite. My son was too scared to walk past him and I got mad and told him the dog wasn't going to do anything and just get brave and go past him. My son was scared and had his head turned away from the dog as he was creeping up to the stairs. Suddenly the dog LUNGED at him and snapped him right in the face! My son screamed and fell backwards and was just out of reach of the chain which I believe is the only thing that kept him from getting really attacked. I was right there...just feet from the dog, and that dog was NOT playing. It was a vicious attack that was totally unprovoked. I grabbed my boy and was screaming for my friend. She came running over and we checked for damage. My son had red marks on his cheek and behind his ear, but no blood! Thank goodness for that! Honestly, when I picked my son up I was SURE it was time for stitches. The way that dog went at him it should have been bad.

So my son obviously still has to use the bathroom. So I carry him in my arms towards the door and the dog comes over and locks eyes onto my son and was snarling and growling so crazy! I couldn't even believe it! I am the one that feeds him when ever my friend goes away. I have spent a LOT of time with this dog. Cuddled him as a puppy, everything. I put my son down away from the dog and walked back alone. Dog was fine. Picked my son back up and walked over and the dog was savage mad! What on earth?? It was so bizarre because my son had already walked past the dog 2 times that day and got nothing but a lick on the face. Nothing had changed.

I don't understand this and I am really scared. I think of myself as a pretty good dog person and I did not see this coming at all. If I had of not trusted the dog for a second I would have never asked my son to walk past him. Never. I am a very paranoid mommy. Now I am not sure if I know any dogs. If this sweet young dog could attack my son....well....what dog wouldn't? Its certainly making me rethink my dog rescue even though I keep all adult dogs away from my kids.

Now my poor son is probably emotionally scarred for life. He was scared enough of dogs and now this??? I am just so heartbroken over the whole thing. I want him to grow up loving dogs, not being terrified of them. I know now i should have carried him past the dog. But I really just wanted him to be brave and i honestly fully believed the dog was harmless.

[mekasmom]

Perhaps the dog sensed the fear in your child? They are pack animals, and if the boy was fearful it put him at the bottom of any pack.

[sherry in Maine]

sometimes a dog that's tied up is pretty territorial?

Sensed your childs fear?

Your son was afraid, and his actions/fear of the dog might have triggered that behavior in the dog. (he cringed, turned his head away while going past him, etc)
Not a judgement, just wondering 'aloud'

[Laura Zone 10]

And for some reason he is very scared of dogs.

Sometimes he is ok around dogs, but if he is tired or having a bad day he REALLY freaks when he sees a dog.

Now I am not sure if I know any dogs. If this sweet young dog could attack my son....well....what dog wouldn't? Its certainly making me rethink my dog rescue even though I keep all adult dogs away from my kids.

In my humble opinion?
I would not 'rescue' any dogs. The child's fear (real or imagined) is real to him, and can really make a life time impression on him.
I would not have dogs, if my children feared them.

[Our Little Farm]

First of all let me say I am glad he is ok and that no stitches were needed. I am sure however, that this will affect him big time and I personally think you have some big decisions to make.
Having a dog rescue does not make a safe house for your son. He will always be nervous and afraid and that is NOT good. He needs to have a home where he feels safe and can relax.
My youngest for years was afraid of dogs, and we kept the home safe for him. Our LGD is huge and I am talking much larger than a Gr. Pyr. He is in the pasture not where our children play, and strangely enough, my son LOVES this dog who can bowl an adult over in a heartbeat. He is older than your son, and I think giving him time to come to terms with dogs by himself worked.

Your friend needs to have her dog put up when your children go to her place.

[Immaculate Sublimity]

Originally Posted by Laura Zone 5

In my humble opinion?
I would not 'rescue' any dogs. The child's fear (real or imagined) is real to him, and can really make a life time impression on him.
I would not have dogs, if my children feared them.

This, x100.

Your 4 year old son shouldnt be 'hollering' at dogs... small children dont have the authority that adults have. Especially if they're already afraid of them. It's your job to keep the dogs away from your son.

I have to admit, I'm having a difficult time posting this without being angry at you. You appear to have a post situation remorse. You 'got mad' at your 4 yr old, because he was AFRAID to pass the dog, and he got bit, now you're fed up and frustrated with the DOGS behavior? NOW you're worried about him being scarred for life? You have by your own admission repeatedly forced your toddler into situations that amplify his fear - taking on rescue dogs and puppies, and exposing him to having sharp puppy teeth jerk on his pant legs.

I'm not quite sure where you see paranoid mother in all of this.

I am sure however that I'll be lambasted for seeing and pointing out the truth in this, since I'm not blaming the dog for all of it.

[KnowOneSpecial]

Your kid was 'scared' before this happened.

You mentioned several times how he was scared of dogs and yet you still made him walk by a dog. How many times do you make him walk by before he proves to you that he really is scared of dogs?

Sometimes a fear is a fear. Sometimes we don't just get over our fears. I feel that in this case it's not the dog that scared him for life. It was you and your insistance that he once again go by something that he's afraid of.

[Energy Rebel]

The dog obviously detected the fear in your son.
Tying up a dog will assure that it will be aggressive.
By you not IMMEDIATELY showing your dominance and disapproval at the dog's attack, have encouraged him to do it again.
Learn to be the Alpha dog.
I can't judge what would have been a proportional response, but my instinct would have been an opened handed slap to his mouth, hopefully busting his lip.
On a larger, older dog, a closed fisted punch.
This won't get you ant PETA or ASPCA awards, but it will prevent a similar event.

When you have young children and animals together, this must not be tolerated. Period.
And now it seems, that your son will not be able to be around dogs for a long time. when he's old enough and ready, he will have to face and overcome that fear.

[Our Little Farm]

I keep coming back to this thread as it weighs heavily on my heart. It makes me feel so sad for your son, it really does.

I am a mom. My kids come first at ALL times. I'd die for them. So in saying that, I would get rid of the dogs in the house now, and make sure your child has a dog free play area at home.

You need to keep him safe. He is worth it.

[wendle]

I feel awful for your son, and agree with what everybody else said. I wouldn't do any rescue dogs either. I don't think I would go so far as to get rid of your own dogs if they are good with your son. I would make sure the dogs in the house are well trained, and possibly involve your son in teaching them some tricks that he will like and can use. Fetching things for him comes to mind. Turning the light off or on, etc.
I would keep him away from that beagle of your friends. That's another issue they need to deal with. Some dogs just aren't good temperaments.
Remember at 4 years old he isn't very big, so the dog's size is so intimidating. My daughter got knocked over by a sheep when she was 4, and chased by a miniature bull when she was about 8. It took her a few years to feel comfortable moving sheep with a dog, she is good now at 12. This was the first year she was willing to move cows with a dog. The bull that chased her has long ago been sold.

[wanda1950]

I would also keep the child away from dogs as much as possible. Being bitten is traumatic for anyone but much, much worse for someone already fearful. He may need professional help--sounds like he is being perpetually traumatized like a soldier in battle.

[Wolf Flower]

Originally Posted by Our Little Farm

First of all let me say I am glad he is ok and that no stitches were needed. I am sure however, that this will affect him big time and I personally think you have some big decisions to make.
Having a dog rescue does not make a safe house for your son. He will always be nervous and afraid and that is NOT good. He needs to have a home where he feels safe and can relax.

Yes. This.

I am having a hard time not being angry with you for putting your son in that position; he is probably going to have lasting trust and security issues because you, his mother, forced him to be traumatized by the very thing he was most afraid of.

Now, I realize the dog acted totally unpredictably, and you had no cause to believe the dog would be aggressive, but 4 years of age is a bit too young IMO to force a child to face their fear. You can take my words to heart or you can dismiss them, since I don't have children of my own.

If I did, however, I would put their welfare over that of rescue dogs. 'Nuff said.

As for the dog in question... tying a dog will often make them aggressive. Combine that with forcing a small child (that is acting like frightened prey, no less) to walk right past him, and you have an explosive situation. Yes, I think the dog has a temperament issue that needs to be addressed; personally, if my dog bit a child in the face like that, it would be the last thing that dog ever did. There is some behavior I simply won't tolerate. I don't know if your neighbors feel the same way, or if it would cause problems to bring it up, but that dog should at least be in quarantine.

[Ardie/WI]

Originally Posted by Immaculate Sublimity

This, x100.

Your 4 year old son shouldnt be 'hollering' at dogs... small children dont have the authority that adults have. Especially if they're already afraid of them. It's your job to keep the dogs away from your son.

I have to admit, I'm having a difficult time posting this without being angry at you. You appear to have a post situation remorse. You 'got mad' at your 4 yr old, because he was AFRAID to pass the dog, and he got bit, now you're fed up and frustrated with the DOGS behavior? NOW you're worried about him being scarred for life? You have by your own admission repeatedly forced your toddler into situations that amplify his fear - taking on rescue dogs and puppies, and exposing him to having sharp puppy teeth jerk on his pant legs.

I'm not quite sure where you see paranoid mother in all of this.

I am sure however that I'll be lambasted for seeing and pointing out the truth in this, since I'm not blaming the dog for all of it.

I have to admit that I agree!

I don't blame the dog or the child. I blame the adult in the situation!

[canine14]

Why is everybody lambasting the OP? There is a LOT of judgment on this board. The OP was trying in her way to desensitize her child to dogs. Her intention was good. Having her child grow up with a paranoia about dogs is not healthy. If this dog sensed the fear in the child, as suggested, and then attacked, then things will only get worse for this child as he grows up because dogs are EVERYWHERE. The boy doesn't have to be a dog lover but he could learn to tolerate them. The cues come from the parents. I too would never suspect a beagle of such behaviour and it was random and unpredictable. The OP could never have suspected that the dog would attack.

When people offer opinions, it is fine; after all, it is why we post these things online anyways. However, when respondents intimate that the OP is not a good mother, then I take issue. No wonder this site is scaring people off.

[thaiblue12]

I am not going to blame the dog. I am glad he did not break the skin.

Kids 5 and under move differently and should always be supervised around dogs.

In this case the dog was tied out, mistake one on the owners part. He should have been left inside in a secure room since so many strange people were arriving.
He should not have been near where adults and children were going in and out of the house mistake two.

Let's say he senses the fear your son has and the dog is tied up, cannot get away, has all these people hanging around, lots of things going on and he may be scared himself and cannot get away so he lashes out at the small fearful thing coming toward him.

I understand being frustrated but children's fears are not just going to go away especially when they are not based on something you can refute. He has never been attacked before but he fears dogs, you can tell him till you are blue in the face that one won't bite him but he is scared and is not going to get over it quickly. Now he has been bitten so he will take along time coming to get over it.
My daughter had an irrational fear at the age of 7, it took her a year to get over it. I never acted like she should not be afraid but gave her reasons why it should not run her life. Took a year but she finally got over it and moved on.

I would not rescue anymore dogs. You may bring home one that is anti-kid one day. Give him time and maybe a few years down the line he can get his own puppy, one that will be small-medium size and he can help raise it. Or he may end up like my sister, bitten at age 12, a cat person who does not like dogs period of any size.

I hope your son is not in any pain.

[Reptyle]

Originally Posted by Immaculate Sublimity

This, x100.

Your 4 year old son shouldnt be 'hollering' at dogs... small children dont have the authority that adults have. Especially if they're already afraid of them. It's your job to keep the dogs away from your son.

I have to admit, I'm having a difficult time posting this without being angry at you. You appear to have a post situation remorse. You 'got mad' at your 4 yr old, because he was AFRAID to pass the dog, and he got bit, now you're fed up and frustrated with the DOGS behavior? NOW you're worried about him being scarred for life? You have by your own admission repeatedly forced your toddler into situations that amplify his fear - taking on rescue dogs and puppies, and exposing him to having sharp puppy teeth jerk on his pant legs.

I'm not quite sure where you see paranoid mother in all of this.

I am sure however that I'll be lambasted for seeing and pointing out the truth in this, since I'm not blaming the dog for all of it.

[Wolf Flower]

Originally Posted by canine14

Why is everybody lambasting the OP? There is a LOT of judgment on this board. The OP was trying in her way to desensitize her child to dogs. Her intention was good.

You know what they say about good intentions.

However, when respondents intimate that the OP is not a good mother, then I take issue.

Not saying she isn't a good mother. I'm saying she made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The point is, the child is going to be even more fearful of dogs from here on out, and OP wouldn't be doing any service to her son by bringing strange rescue dogs into her home.

[Jackie]

Originally Posted by Our Little Farm

First of all let me say I am glad he is ok and that no stitches were needed. I am sure however, that this will affect him big time and I personally think you have some big decisions to make.
Having a dog rescue does not make a safe house for your son. He will always be nervous and afraid and that is NOT good. He needs to have a home where he feels safe and can relax.
My youngest for years was afraid of dogs, and we kept the home safe for him. Our LGD is huge and I am talking much larger than a Gr. Pyr. He is in the pasture not where our children play, and strangely enough, my son LOVES this dog who can bowl an adult over in a heartbeat. He is older than your son, and I think giving him time to come to terms with dogs by himself worked.

Your friend needs to have her dog put up when your children go to her place.

The rescue dogs are 3 miles away in kennels. Its only little puppies that are in the house occasionally. Right now I don't have any. My own dogs are outside. The reason I was thinking of not doing the dog rescue is because I obviously cant read dogs and I have no business telling someone that a dog is 'good around kids' when I really have no idea.

[Wolf Flower]

Originally Posted by Jackie

The reason I was thinking of not doing the dog rescue is because I obviously cant read dogs and I have no business telling someone that a dog is 'good around kids' when I really have no idea.

I think that would be a wise move at this point.

[beccachow]

Jackie, I am sorry for the situation. I have seen many children and adults afraid of dogs to the point of a disability; it can be a very lousy way to live life when you are surrounded by dogs in a lot of situations. No doubt the dog was picking up on the fear and cementing his position as superior to your son, your son gave all the submissive signs to this dog...eyes averted, head turned, creeping slowly...the dog just decided to make sure he knew that he (the dog) was kingpin.

Sadly, he will be taking that fear forward for a long time now, which puts him at risk with ALL other dogs, and especially you need to be wary of your rescued dogs, as who knows what kind of background they come from first. I think this can still be fixed, certainly not tomorrow or next week, but when he is older and more confident of himself.

My DD loves OUR dogs, she even loved old Scooter (RIP) though he wasnt overflowing with affection for her. But my guys are quiet and low energy. WHen she gets around a higher energy dog, she isn't as fond of it; she has been knocked over several times by my one neighbor's dog even when it was a tiny puppy. Strangely, she picks and chooses what dogs to play with (neighbor's dogs). Annie, who I bring over to housesit from time to time, is all super high energy but she keeps it all on the ground, if you know what I mean. She doesn't knock into her or give her reason to worry. Your dogs at home, even though big, probably give off a different feeling. You know the feeling you get around a non-trustworthy dog, it is survival instinct, vs when you feel pretty confident around them. Your son doesn't like dogs that chew up his belongings, knock him over, etc...he wouldn't have to be bit to be afraid if he was knocked over or had his stuff chewed. "Stuff" is pretty important to a young fellow like him.

He needs reassurance now, but I wouldn't think he is coming away from this for a long time. Sadly, you need to watch your dogs at home now as well, since DS will be giving off fear vibes there as well now. You also need to Mommy-Up and tell him you made a mistake and you are sorry, if you didn't already. That will go a long way towards healing for both of you.