Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know what I can do with my good temperament dog who nipped my 2 year old daughter (not serious, she is fine)? My wife doesn't want to keep him, but on the hand I don't want to euthanize him. He is good dog who has never bitten anyone before who isn't aggressive.

I have checked with many dog rescue orgs but many don't want to take on the liability. I feel that no one really cares that he dies, but a pit bull can easily be saved! I can't understand the rationale.

Has anyone gone through this same experience. Any help would be great. I feel like I am going to loose my best friend.

--PC

Can you give the details on why the dog nipped at your daughter? Was it on purpose or was your daughter bothering the dog in some way? I agree that having the dog euthanized isn't being fair to the dog if he has otherwise been a good pet. I can certainly understand you and your wife wanting to keep your daughter safe but knowing the reason for the nip may help better to coming up with a solution. Many times on the Shiba board as well as on some of the other boards a prospective new owner will ask if a dog will get along with their children and I usually respond by saying that it is your children that will have to be trained to have a dog.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Hi,

As far as I know my daughter did not provoke him. She was standing next her nanny. My daughter doesn't tease him she is only 21 months old. The more I think about it I should not have let my dog Chewy to be in such close quarters to her in the first place. I have tried teaching both Chewy and my daughter to be comfortable around each other. Gentle petting and touching. I really think it is an instinctual dominance reaction (daughter being another dog).

My daughter doesn't have an after affects from the bite. She has looking for the dog ever since and she hasn't been scared of other dogs out in public.

No I am still dealing with Chewy's future.

Thanks!

As Bob mentions, more information would be good here. If your daughter was bothering the dog, the nip might be a kind of warning (unacceptable, of course, but I see a difference between a nip and a bite). Was the skin broken? You're right that many rescues won't want to take on the liability. Do you have friends who know your dog who might provide a good home?

Your best bet is to get with an expert in person and have the dog and the actions of the child, nanny, and everyone in the family evaluated. Ask your veterinarian to recommend an expert you can get to. You need the evaluation done in person. Nothing anyone can tell you by phone or online is really going to solve the situation.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47