My mother left me her precious pooch ...but it bit my?

Question

I inherited my Mothers 5 yrs old Bull terrier named Adam. I promised to care for it ,just as well as she had.That was three and a half years ago.
The problem is that my son is three and a half years old and he got ruff with Adam (pulled hard on his ears)Adam responded by nipping and my three and a half year old son pulled away (i think)and it tore his skin (no stitches need)
MY question is ......will this reck there relatonship?if it did ,what would i do?I promised my late mother i would look after Adam for his remaining years..IS there any danger to my son ?or the dog?
Note:I DONTleave them alone together,but my husband forgets sometimes......................

Answer 1

You're a wonderful daughter seeking help to carry on a promise you made to your mother. I want you to think of this really hard. Your mother, when she had the dog, did she live alone? If so, then it's most likely the dog did not have much time around children. Also remember this, your dog could possibly still be missing your mother. Yes, the ties can be that strong. Ok, the first thing is, you have got to become if not already Adam's pack leader. You are taking on the role of "head dog". This means that you need to be calm/assertive at all times with Adam. Adam has strong tendencies because of the type of breed he is, however, you can control him. The first thing you have to do everyday is take Adam for a 30 minute walk. The reason is, all dogs are made of energy, some more than others. When dogs ran in the wild in packs, they used their energy to look for food/water/shelter. We as humans provide that for them and so they don't expell their energy as they would if in a pack. That's where we "the humans" come in. We have to help them use up some of this energy, walking is the best way. I understand you have the baby, can he go with you, or put him in a stroller, or he can ride his bike? But, somehow you need to walk Adam. If you have a tredmill that's something else you can put him on. Now, the more difficult part, (your son). GASP. I know, I know. Begin to teach your son that the way to be with Adam is petting and not pulling. Your son will learn and understand. When your son is with Adam, watch them together. If your son gets excited and plays a little too hard, and you see Adam is going to react, be sure you are standing above Adam, and you are calm/assertive. Take your hand and make it into the form of a claw, make a striking motion with this hand to Adam's throat and make a "tsking" sound. What you are doing here with your hand striking Adam's throat is telling him that this is unacceptable behavior, and the "tsking" sound inturrupts Adams thought process of what it was he was about to do. One thing you must remember is, you can do this, but it must be at the exact moment Adam is going to do an unacceptable behavior. Again, you are telling Adam that you are the pack leader and that your son is not to be bitten at or anything else for that matter. Your husband when watching your son must also do this same corrective activity. It may take awhile, but Adam will learn. Now, if you do not feel comfortable in correcting Adam in this manner, please seek a professional trainer or behaviorist in your area. Adam can be rehabilitated, he's not gone too far. He's worth it. Thank you for asking.

Answer 2

first of all, there's nothing wrong with your son, or the dog. a boy your son's age doesn't know what "playing too rough" means. until you teach him that, he definitely should NOT be left alone around any animal.
second, there's nothing wrong with the dog. it felt threatened, and was physically hurt, and that's how you might respond too if the same thing happened. putting the dog down is only an option if he becomes violent for no reason. but if it was provoked, it's their natural instinct to react. and animals will ALWAYS go with their natural instinct when it comes to feeling threatened.
the danger to your son, will be if he tries to harm the dog again. adam probably won't be as forgiving the next time. plus, the more your son gets rough with the dog, the more it will aquire a disdain for human contact, even friendly contact.
you could either keep them away from each other at all times, or you could wait until your son gets the hang of playing "nice". maybe you could find somebody to keep the dog for a few months, and in the meantime give your son a fake animal to play with and teach him how to handle it appropriately, so he'll be ready for contact with a real dog.
if you can't seperate them though, you have to give the dog away. in the end, adam is just a dog, but your son is your son. i love dogs, but i'd pick a kid over an animal any day. and i hope everybody else would too!
hope this helps!

Answer 3

If you are going to keep this dog, you must never leave him and your child unattended. Even so one bite from a Bull Terrier can fatally harm your child. I would not take that chance.

I am the owner of three Pit Bulls and they are all in the same family. They have massive jaws and are very powerful. Even though their natural temperament is to be non aggressive to humans, they can be unpredictable.

I wish he were mine. The Bull Terrier is my favorite breed. If he was a she I would offer to adopt him. My dogs are two females and one male. Another male in the family would cause problems.

If you decide that it is in the best interest for all concerned...to not keep him, go on line to a Bull Terrier adoption society. I promise you they will see that the dog will go to a home that will have the best interest for the dog at heart. They are very adamant about protecting the breed. All prospective owners must submit an application and pass a home check before a Bullies is released to them. Then they must agree to release the dog back to them if for any reason it doesn't work out...that along with periodic home checks. As you can see...they are very strict about Bullies welfare.

Your mother was probably concerned that her beloved pet would be properly loved and cared for. The BT Society would make positively certain that this happen.

These dogs are "special". They are fun loving, comical and just simply adorable. Good luck on your choice.

Suggested reading...The New Bull Terrier by John H. Remer, Jr.

Answer 4

Your son probably learned a valuable lesson about how to treat an animal--or how not to.

However, since the dog IS an animal, one cannot necessarily trust it. Animals have no conscience.

One must protect one's children even when--especially when--they do stupid things. [Just wondering, were you watching when your boy pulled the dog's ear?]

So this is the answer to your dilemma:

#1 You DID take your mother's dog.

#2 You kept him until it appeared that he might be getting a little older and less patient, and not so safe to be around small children (your mother's grandchild).

#3 If you mother were still alive, would she want you to keep the dog at the risk of the kid's safety? [Of course not!]

#4 Try to find a loving home--where there are adults only--for the dog.

#5 What would your mother say if she were alive and you asked her the same question?

See how easy? : )

Good luck!

Answer 5

I wouldnt want to take any chances.

But Im sure there is no problem. Your son learned his lesson, the bull terrier usually can mix with kids and just taught your son like the dog would teach puppies.
The dog hasnt been mistreated (I suppose) so it wont start attacking your son for any other reason than your son continuously hurting the dog.

There is still some minor chance the dog might be aggressive towards him and like bite him if he accidentially steps on the dogs feet or tail, - Im sure the dog wont do it though

Answer 6

Lots of folks telling you to Let the dog go.. and that is NOT Necessary.

Sounds to me like most of the damage to your son was accidental. If the dog just nipped this is the dogs way of proving senority and warning your child from a certain corse of action.

I have a Border Collie and it once nipped a childs ankles because the child was running away and into danger.

What you need to do in no uncertain terms is to explain to your child not to pull the dogs ears. Teach him to be nice to the dog and how to handle the pet properly. You may need to punish the child until he gets it right.

Answer 7

you have to ask your self if this will continue to happen. If it was an isolated case I wouldn't worry. he may have just nipped him to let your son know he was hurting his ear. I would just be patient for a little bit and try to teach your son to be careful around the doggy. If Adam still seems irritated with your son, I would try to separate them by putting Adam in a bedroom or large utility room and shut the door when he is out and about he house. I don't think it would come to that. Dogs are like humans they have their testy days and good days. You have to do whats best for your son, though, he comes first.

Answer 8

You NEED to make it clear to you son that pulling on the dogs ear is NOT okay. Next time he does it he might end up in the E.R.

If your dog gets more agressive I would say either start some training, (I would HIGHLY suggest the book that Ceasar Millan wrote and or the DVD). If that does not work have it put down.

Your child and dog should NOT be left alone. If you really cared about your child WHY would you leave them ALONE!?!

THINK -THINK -THINK here!

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

It is dependent upon their age. Are they scooting round, or truthfully crawling (strolling) round? If they're scooting, they nonetheless want fed by way of mother. And due to the fact she's now not there, you are going to have got to cross to the puppy keep and purchase a bottle and a few cat formulation for them. You'll have got to provide that to them for just a little even as. When they're simply pulling themselves round (scooting), they're roughly 3 weeks historical. At 5 weeks historical, you'll be able to begin introducing them to smooth meals, like canned meals. By six weeks they'll be consuming the canned meals and Purina Kitten Chow quite simply. Make definite they get each. Especially the kitten chow. (Some humans like to mention that cats are lactose illiberal, they aren't. You can ask a vet. I have had over one hundred cats, and certainly not a lactose illiberal one. Some humans will say they are not cows, that they cannot drink cows milk. Well... we don't seem to be cows..... Anyway, while they're six weeks and older it does not harm to provide them a few milk as soon as in a even as. Not regularly although, considering that an excessive amount of can motive diarhea, or weight obtain.) Good good fortune to you.

Answer 10

Your son is worth a hell of a lot more then your dog. The dog has now learned that when he bites your child, your child backs away and he will continue to do so. Invest in a permanent kennel for your yard, or have the dog put down (to give it away would put another child at risk).