Parents Poodle bit my 3yr old in the face, what can I do?

Question

My parents have 2 dogs. They are both approx. 3.5yrs old. Fraiser the dog in
question is a poodle and Sugar is a Pom-a-poo or peek-a-poo (i can never
keep it straight). Sugar has been a very nice little dog, but Fraiser well lets tell
the whole story....
We have been living at my parents house for a few months now. Prior to
moving in we lived near by, so its not like the dogs don't know us.
The first time Fraiser bit my daughter (in the face) we weren't sure what had happened, I don't know if the my daughter did something to provoke the bite.
The first bite didn't break the skin, just a red mark and a scared kid. Problem was that my stepdad (86yr old) scooped up the dog and was petting him saying it was okay, he took the dog to his room and didn’t return (not even to see if my daughter was okay)
The second attack I witnessed. My daughter was sitting on the
floor next to me and Fraiser lunged out from under the table bit my daughter
once in the cheek and then grabbed her by the forehead and began dragging
her under the table, wildly shaking his head back and forth, growling and
snarling the whole time. Fraiser is about 11 lbs and my daughter is 23lbs. He
left two nasty scars, you could tell from the bite on the forehead that he was
out for blood.. there were teeth marks in a circle and two puncture wounds
from the larger teeth... This was a vicious unprovoked attack. I don't know
what if anything I can do.
I do love dogs and have had many dogs over the years, I think I know dogs
pretty well, but this dog I do not trust, there is something about the way he looks
at you.
My stepfathers reaction to the whole thing is that the dog has never turned on him so he doesn’t see the problem, we got the dog a muzzle but the dog doesn’t like it so it’s rarely used (stepdad again) He keeps the dog in his room but it still gets past him occasionally ..that’s considered cute.
I tried giving my parents an ultimatum… I know its their house and all but I did it anyway… The child or the dog. They chose the dog. nice huh. I am being treated as a over-reactive parent??? am I?

Answer 1

Time to move.

Answer 2

Sorry to say the dog needs its ass kicked... Your stepdad has fostered a dominance aggression problem in the dog by treating it better than the child. Its not the dogs fault, nor your daughters fault its all your stepdads fault he has made the biggest mistake possible and that is encouraging the dogs aggression by reinforcing it with praise. The first time he should have disciplined the dog severely.. should have rolled him on his back right there neck pinched him. Also the dog should be constantly reprimanded and disciplined for that kind of predatory behaviour towards the child. The problem can be fixed but if your stepdad is coddling the dog and treating it as a human, the problem will never be resolved. You are not being overreactive.. the dog is headed down a road where he will become increasingly more aggressive, sadly your stepdad probably wont realize this until the dog turns on him. I guarantee the dog will eventually, its just a matter of time... little dogs often are the worst in that regard because people have a tendency to treat them as fragile infants that need to be cuddled and hugged.. fact is they are dogs like any other just smaller and they need the same kind of training and discipline as big dogs.

Answer 3

First of all, you need to make sure your daughter is ok. Take her to the doctor if you need to. Next, do not ever have her near this dog again, at all. The dog, though small, could potentially do serious harm to a small child, especially on the face. The dog will not change as long as your stepfather is promoting this kind of agression (dominance agression, as previously stated) in the way he treats the dog (especially picking it up and loving on it after it bites) and in the way he treats your daughter by not seeming concerned for her at all.

Unfortunately, an ultimatum won't work. Since you are in their house, it is unlikely that they will be willing to change, especially your stepfather who seems to not care much for you or your daughter. The best solution would seem to be for you to move out as soon as possible and in the meantime, keep that dog away from your child,

Answer 4

Personally I would have the dog put down for having put tooth to flesh but that's not my call.

Still - Why weren't you watching your child's interactions with the dog? Shame on you. VERY BAD!

Fraiser obviously is afraid of your child and is reacting the only way he can - by biting. And I can hardly blame him. Little children are known to torment animals - they don't know any better. But the animals aren't humans - they don't know any better either - other than to react in a bad way.

Since you are the adult human, it's up to YOU to keep them separated.

That said, the fact remains that you are living under your parents' roof and under their rules. So you will have to make sure your daughter is nowhere near the dog without your supervision. I suggest a couple of good baby gates placed between doors so that both Fraiser and Baby can have some mobility.

And find your own house soon.

But it's up to you - adult human - to keep Baby away from Fraiser - not the other way around.

Answer 5

You can take her to the doctor, from there they will file a report with Animal Control and then they will probaly have the animal quarinteened (or however you spell that). Your parents having a lack of concern for this matter is just wrong. That is there grandchild for cripes sake. I would think that your child would be more important than a damn dog. Dogs can be replaced, grand-children cannot. Your are NOT being over-reactive. If your parents didn't respond to the untimatium take your child to the hospital. Dog bites can be very bad for a child. It can cause a HORRIBLE infection. Despite the old saying a dogs mouth is not cleaner than ours. Think about it they lick themselves clean for god sake! Ok done ranting sorry you have to go through this and I hope I have helped!

Answer 6

You are not over reacting. Your child was bitten by a dog, I would be mad, no matter who the dog belonged to and if I were living there, it would be an issue, I would likely do the same thing you did.

First of all, get your child to a vet, whether the dog is UTD on his shots or not. Dog bites in children must be reported by the DR. That way its reported, and it isnt your fault, the DR legally has to report it to animal control. If this continues to happen, the dog will have to be quarintined and eventually put to sleep.

If the dog is a biter your parents need to be concerned. The dog will likely never bite your stepfather, as he is probably established as the alpha in that house (same with your mother) The dog is likely trying to establish its position with your child, and attacking her.

Answer 7

first things first, that is their house, not yours, so if you don't like what's going on, move out. Second, I would never have my child near a dog that bit her EVER! No matter how small the dog is, your daughter is helpless and unaware of the danger the dog can cause. I personally would put the dog down. Once a dog bites, they get even more aggressive. Specially, in their old age. I actually had a dog that bit my son (unprovoked as well) and there was no question in my mind, the dog had to be put down. I even called the rescues before I decided to put him down and they wouldn't take him. So, you need to keep your child's safe and move out if they aren't willing to get rid of the dog.

Answer 8

You are not over reacting...I am sorry NO dog should ever bite anyone...this dog has some behavoiural issues that need to be addressed...or the dog needs to be put down.... I know this sounds harsh but honestly it is a dog and your daughter is worth a million times more then it......... No I do not hate dogs...in fact I work with animals everyday..... and I hate seeing dogs bite and snap at people....it means they were not taught that humans are boss and they are not.....

...honestly I would call the City or authorities and report the incident.... depending on what your laws are they may do a number of things..... but it will be a wake up call for your parents....otherwise....never take her back there until the dog is gone.

We teach our children manners and to be polite.....all dogs need the same....all dogs should go to obedience training..... its not a matter of teaching the dog to obey you and be a mindless drone...its about teaching them right and wrong.... in the wild they would learn this. Plus it is always good to take each and every dog you own to a trainer....no two dogs are the same....and a professional can give you pointers on how to handle your pet. Plus the good trainers take their dogs to other trainers..

Answer 9

oh boy. first of all did you get your child medical attention. this dog bite should be reported. sorry your parents are so old and would be heart broken if they took the dog but it sounds like a dangerous dog to me. i am a nurse and see alot of this. this dog bite needs to be reported. your baby should also never go to their house again so long as the dogs are there. it is your job to keep your child safe.sometimes just the shrill sound of a small childs shrieks scares an animal. however the aminal should go the other way, not attack the child. and shame on grandpa for oh poor babying the dog after it did that. good luck.

Answer 10

The dog may be afraid of your daughter (small children). I know that my dog is the same size as the one you described, and although he has growled at times when little children are rough with him he has never bitten a child. I don't know what is wrong with your parents, but when my dog lashes out by growling, even if I know the child was a little to rough, he is spanked and put in his kennel. It seems to me your parents should be more concerned with the safety of your daughter (their grandchild) no matter how much they love the dog. I don't think you are over reacting at all, I would have bought a muzzle too! Mybe you could talk to them about buying a small kennel and using it for the dog when your daughter is playing or when your daughter wants to play outside the dog goes inside (vice versa).

Answer 11

No you are not. Your step father is the one who is not acting appropriately at all. The dog is vicious and should not be allowed anywhere near your children. If they chose the dog over their own grandchildren then that speaks volumes to me. To allow that kind of attack on your child and then to have him coddle the dogs after it is just sick. He needs help and so does the dog. It has learned its ok to attack your daughter and nothing will happen. This is a very dangerous situation and if you can get the heck out of there before something major happens!