dog started biting kids...?

Question

I am taking him in for a consult tomorow at his vet....
My nephew was bugging the crap out of him last week, and now he has started biting kids if they look like they are going to pick him up. He has not drawn blood yet, but I am worried..
what should I do?
I don't want to put him down.

I have kids too, and he has not bitten any of them.. they don't pester him, but because he is a small dog, people like to pick him up.

I was at work and my brother was supposed to be watching his kids while he was visiting... so much for that!!

Answer 1

One minor bite does not merit death - especially when he was protecting himself. Actually, your dog should be applauded for showing so much restraint.

Consult with an applied animal behaviorist or a trainer who understands behavior (not just obedience training). He/she can determine if your dog is safe and how to teach him to accept handling. Your vet should be able to refer you, or check out www.apdt.com or www.iaabc.org.

Of course, children should know how to treat an animal with respect and be told what a dog's warning signs are.

Answer 2

First off, the nephew and the dog should never have been left alone together. Second off, the nephew should never have been allowed to treat the dog like this. First I would look into disciplining the nephew (or, rather, getting his parents to do it because they are obviously slacking in their responsiblities) and teaching him how to treat animals.

Second, I wouldn't put the dog down just yet. I would definately keep him away from children, but this might not be such a simple case. The dog bit because he was being annoyed. The fact that the dog hasn't drawn blood yet shows that he was not being aggresive. If the dog was being aggressive, he would have done alot worse. What he's doing is a warning. YOU (or whoever was in charge of your nephew) allowed the dog to be picked on and caused the first bite as well as your dogs new phobia of children.

I would recommend contacting a professional behavioralist (if you live in the right area, try Cesar Millan) who can help you out. Your dog needs to be evaluated individually. I would also try watching Millan's TV show on the National Geographic channel, The Dog Whisperer.

Your dog was not biting out of aggression. Your dog was doing the same thing I would do if I was being annoyed to that degree. He held it with patience until he couldn't stand it, and then exploded - WITH RESTRAINT - giving only a warning nip. If your dog had actually BITTEN the child, out of true aggression, he would be in the hospital. I don't care how big the dog is. He's warning you. It's up to you to take care of it from here.

And keep annoying children away from your dog.

Good luck!

PS - Doing the "alpha roll" on an already dominate dog is a REALLY BAD IDEA unless you know what you are doing. Unless you are a professional behavioralist, you could wind up in serious trouble trying that. I wouldn't go there. "An Alpha roll is never the solution. It is too dangerous and in many cases just not the right approach." - Ed Frawley, renowned trainer of working dogs and German Shephard breeder.

Answer 3

A lot of small dogs don't like kids, and the kids need to know this. Advise your brother to keep kids away from him and/or put him in another room when they are there. I wouldn't put him down yet or get rid of him, but if problem persists, you might consider giving him to a single person or elderly person who can love him & not worry about kids. Is he an older dog? This is so sad, I wish everyone was educated or loved animals enough to understand them. The kid was probably just in his space & made him nervous when he thought he'd pick him up...poor baby.

Answer 4

Obedience training or talking to a behaviorist should help immensely...the sooner you start with this the better. Your vet should be able to refer you to a trainer/behaviorist in your area. Also, the kids need to be trained how to act around and handle the dog. If you see the kids doing something inappropriate (like pick him up wrong or get rough with him), they need to be stopped. Until this bad behavior is stopped, keep the dog away from kids. Good luck :).

Answer 5

Any time a dog bites a kid or almost bites a kid it is best to smack him/her on the nose real hard so the dog feels it, then put the dog in his crate or outside. Repeat this several times dogs are smart they'll get the idea not to bite but you really got to smack the dog hard or it won't learn. If the dog refuses to listen try talking to a vet about other options or bring it to the pound.

Answer 6

Why is it the first sign of trouble people think they should kill their animal. You can train animals. Its partly your fault that he acts that way. Why was your nephew allowed to bug the crap out of the animal in the first place? He needs to feel safe again.
Take him to obedience school. If you can't handle him take him to a non kill shelter and let them find him a home where he can live without kids around.

Answer 7

Keep the kids away from him. God gave us a brain and the responsibility to take care of animals. The dog, probably a small breed, is terrified.

Answer 8

it sounds like he crossed that fine line. He should have been dissaplined as soon as you noticed the first signs.A vets just gonna cost you money you must catch and break the habit yes it will go to the next level if the dog is not corrected good luck . I love and care about animals very much. KENNY. IF YOUR NEPHUE OLD ENOUPH TELL HIM HE MAY HAVE KILLED THE DOG IF THE DOG DOSNT CHANGE. he.s eyes should open,and he stops. when your back is turned?

Answer 9

first, you make sure that NOBODY tease the dog. tell your nephew's parents that he is not allowed in your house, and make sure that your kids are very gentle with the dog, when he growls or snaps, cover his muzzle, and let him know that it is unacceptable. If the kids are very gentle with him and you are consistent, he will stop.
Linda Rogers

Answer 10

Why would you put him down because he's trying to defend himself against some bratty kids. Keep the kids away from him!!!