DS was bit by a dog

itsMsAlbin

Yesterday.  He was at Nana's house and she can't say no to him (not kidding).  Anyway, he is giving the dog pretzels and she keeps saying don't do that.  Well, finally he decides to listen and take the pretzel back.  Anyway, dog bit him on the ear and scratched him up.  I wasn't terribly worried.  She cleaned it well and DH took care of it last night and watched it.  BUT then he wakes up with a fever this morning.  So of course I had to set up an appointment with the new pediatrician we haven't even seen yet since we moved.  So I get to do that tonight.

Here's the thing, I can't decide if I am mad at MIL.  The dog is a big coward and we've never had any issues.  He's generally sweet.  Well, MIL babies this dog to the extreme.  After holidays when people are over and the dog gets lots of dropped food and kids feeding him, he sometimes gets sick.  So her vet said to limit food when this happens.  So she had been limiting his food for two days and then gave my 2 year-old a bowl of pretzels to walk around with!  She told him not to feed the dog, but she didn't take the bowl away or make him sit at the table.

It's just this attitude of "I'm Nana, I don't say No."  He adores her and she's generally great with him, does lots of activities, teaches him things, but she can be so oblivious to things that really matter.

peeps61308

My mom has a weenie dog that is a super spoiled baby. Ava was walking around with a cheese puff and did the same thing. Well, when she tried to take it back he bit her on the face. DH was standing right there, it happened that fast. We have always tried to keep the dog in another room when there is any kind of food present. Accidents do happen, like that time, but we are now super diligent about kepping them seperate. We have tried looking for a new home for the dog, but not many people want a 9 year old dog that is not big with kids. If something like this were to happen again, the dog is history, no questions asked! Sorry this got so long!

turtleturtle1

We have a huge dog.  He loves kids, but he's just that - a dog. And dogs will be dogs.  

Dog behavior problems are generally - not ALWAYS, but generally - due to people.  People let dogs do things, or teach them (by not redirecting them) that it's okay to do things, or don't teach them that the little human is in charge...

It's up to the parent and the dog owner - together - to make sure there aren't accidents.  That's JMO.  We've trained our dog obsessively just because a behavior problem in a big dog is a really obvious problem!  But it's usually the people's fault, not the dog's.  So I'd be upset at MIL, not at the dog himself, who was just probably acting as he's been taught to behave this whole time.

turtleturtle1

Also, I meant to say this before - I am so sorry that your son got bit, though.  That is horrible, and I hope he's okay.

It's NEVER okay for a dog to bite.  I didn't mean to make it sound like that at all!

ibis

I would be very upset with my MIL if this happened. If she was watching your son it was her job to manage the child-dog interactions and she clearly wasn't doing that. I'm sorry.

megjr8

Oh yikes! I hope all turns out ok with DS!  DH & I have already said we will be firm on the limits with my parents dog. Chaps is a good dog, but not very well trained a nips & snaps easily.

meggiejo

My parents live with us during the week. They have a French bulldog and I have 2 large dogs. My dogs will put up with anything from DS, but my mom's dog is high strung and not very well trained. He has bit my DS on the face and on the arm. I have repeatedly told them that he needs trained or he has to go. They do great for a week and then fall into the old routine. He is really food agressive, so we have started a training program with him to work on it. Maybe you could give your MIL an ultimatum? If the dog/situation can't be controlled then your son won't be able to come over. It sucks to have to do that, but my parents are finally getting it.

PurpleK26

First, just let me say I hope James is ok!

Second, and I'm sure I'll get flamed for this. While it is your MIL's responsibility to make sure that your son stays safe, I don't think you're in the position to give an ultimatum or anything. That dog was in his own house, and so to him, that's his territory. He's going to defend it. If you don't want to take your kids over there to ensure that there isn't a problem, then that's your choice.

I think it's time Grandma started following through with her instructions with James ie, making him sit in a chair or something. Hopefully, James learns from this too, that you don't take food from a dog. That's not meant to sound like 'serves him right' ... really, it's not.

It's a good thing for him to know. If taking something from a dog that knows him causes nips or growls when he takes something, it might save him from a bigger issue were he to do the same thing to a dog that doesn't know him... does that make sense? Can't seem to word it right.

Anyways, I think it's something your MIL probably feels horrible about, and I'm sure she's learned a lesson as well. Hope it all works out!