Is it the right thing to do? Getting rid of a beloved dog..?

Question

Our border collie recently nipped at our 11 month old baby. The dog was sleeping and baby crept past. Next- on New Years Eve, the dog was freaked out by the fireworks and hid under the table. The baby crawled under, and our dog growled and bit our baby in the face! He was taken to the ER- no major damage luckily, just a tiny break in the skin. Believe me, the baby is #1 in our lives, I just feel partly responsible, as we are at fault for allowing the baby to be that close to our dog. Is training a possibility? Or is this just goodbye? I can not stand to see another incident like this, and I know dogs are unpredicatbale, I just can't help to feel sorry since I feel it was our responsibility as pet owners to keep them seperated. I'm worried our dog won't find a suitable home, and also worried about keeping him. I've always heard Border Collies are non agressive so I believe this to be fear-based. Would you get rid of him?

Answer 1

This is a hard one. Your dog does not seem like he is acting out of aggression. It seems as if it is just a fear reaction. If you keep the dog, you have to make sure that you monitor the dog's interaction with your child at all times. If you don't think that you can do that, you must give the dog up. If you think that you can monitor them at all times, then keep the dog.

Let me tell you about my story. I had a dog named "Killer" when my oldest daughter was a baby. He was one of the sweetest dogs in the world. (Although he wasn't the brightest!) however, after we moved, we couldn't spend as much time with him like we use to. One day, my daughter crawled up to him while he was sleeping, and he turned around and nipped her. When he realized what he did, you could tell he knew he had done wrong. However, I knew that I couldn't monitor them that carefully in the future and I took him to the shelter. I cried the whole time I was dropping him off. Fortunately, when I dropped him off, I listed him not good with young children. Within hours of dropping him off, he was adopted into a new family, with children who were old enough to know how to act around dogs, and he was fine.

I did what was best for my dog, and I know you will do the same.

Answer 2

This sounds like a decision that a professional dog trainer should evaluate.

I had a similar situation with a Samoyed. She nipped my 7 yr. old.

I called a pro. he came out and worked with my dog a few minutes and gave us his expert opinion. He provoked the dog to see how aggressive she would be and we were surprised by how much she showed her teeth and didn't back down.
The Pro. assured us that he could fix this in just a few sessions by training us how to handle her properly so that she knew what was what.
We had that dog until the end of her life. She never nipped anyone ever again.

I think this cost $250 or less.

Answer 3

Unless you are a proffesional trainer and you have the time and temperament for what it will take to get this dog to get where he needs to be, he has to go. This is just an excuse for a weak nerve dog that did not have the right upbringing. I do not mean to sound harsh, or to go off on you, I would probably feel the same way you do, BUT, there is nothing on this planet worth my baby's safety and the dog would have to go. And please, don't listen to people yelling you that the baby invaded the dog's space and all that crap, the baby holds a higher position in the pack then the dog. Do what you want, but, for me there is no way that I would trust that dog near my baby again and I would not want to worry every day of my life for my baby's safety when there is something I can do about it. Good luck.

Answer 4

I think you can get thru this with proper training. Ask your vet for a local training group that specializes in Border Collie's. Pup may be trying to Herd baby by nature. And, if pup doesn't feel like part of the group.....or senses that you're nervous when pup and baby are together.......that will cause him/her to feel fearful or nervous around baby. Make sure that pup gets loads of attention and exercise. That and training are the best things for Border Collies, they sort of "get off" on pleasing you with thier learned training......and if they are bored, they can get neurotic and aggressive. Try some play time with baby and pup, with you right there, being relaxed and positive. Let pup sniff and kiss baby, let baby pet pup gently, encourage affection, let them come to love each other, rather than have that anxiety wall between them. I wish you luck and hope all turns out happy and healthy!!

Answer 5

No serious damage was done. Your dog just happens to be a dog that is terrified of loud noises. The child entering a place where the dog was was an invasion of what was thought to be safe ground. Remember the dog was scared! ! The child knew no better and the dog was only acting out of his own fear.

NO, I would NOT get rid of the dog.

Wounds on the head are common because that is the way adult dogs deal with their puppies. They bite the pups head or shake it by the neck. Some times the pup will sound like it is being killed. Don't worry I don't think you have anything serious going on.

Answer 6

That is tough to answer without actually seeing the dog in question.

If the dog is otherwise comfortable with the baby, has shown NO OTHER SIGNS of nervousness or aggression (either with the baby or anyone else), and it was just the fact that it was freaked out by the fireworks, I would consult with a behaviorist.

If the dog has shown other signs that it might be easly provoked into reaction, then I would consider getting rid of it.

You live with the dog, so only you can honestly say whether this occurence is a "one-off" or not.

Answer 7

The dog just reacted naturally to having his hiding place invaded. I say keep the dog, just be more careful about supervision when your baby's around.

You'd have probably got a nipped hand if you'd just shoved your arm in there while the dog was feeling scared and nervous. I certainly wouldn't consider getting rid of a dog in this situation, but you do need to remember that even the most intelligent dog is still an animal, and far larger than a baby.

Answer 8

Well both of those incidents were preventable and not at all unpredictable. Dogs don't like being surprised in their sleep and well the fireworks fear is understandable, you should never have allowed the baby near him at that point. Your dog was responding out of fear not aggression. My dog is terrified of fireworks, he spent New Years Eve in his kennel, in my bedroom, with a mild (vet prescribed) sedative,and a kong full of peanut butter. At this point I would call a dog trainer, have them evaluate your dog in your home and follow their recommendations. I would think that training and teaching you how to handle a dog and child would work; but with a child's safety at stake it is up to you to be the responsible party.

Answer 9

the best thing u can do for ur dog is to pay more attention to him then u probably r. show him that u love him and the baby the same. he will eventually get over it. he is probably jealous and a little territorial. trust me he will get over it. just make sure that u have control of the baby if the dog seems a little agitated. cuz the last thing u want to do is put a dog to sleep because the law says u have to. he just needs time. and make sure that u praise him a lot. and get the dog involved in family activities. he is just not used to the baby. i hope this helps and im sorry if it doesnt

Answer 10

Based on personal experience, I was FORCED to get rid of my dog when she was falsely accused of biting. Some crack head went to the ER for a nick in her leg and claimed my dog bit her. I suspect she kicked at my dog and got a tooth graze on her leg. Anyways, because it was reported my home owners insurance was non re-newed and I could not obtain new insurance until my dog was gone. Further more you are talking about an infant. As hard as it may be you know what your decision has to be. Sorry.