Help! :(

[ChibiLuv]

I don’t know what to do you guys. Those of you might remember Taco we adopted in October. He is a sweet puppy 99.9% of the time but we not taught bite inhibition and has some resource guarding issues. We got a trainer, I have been working with him on trading and he’s been doing so well but just now Taco grabbed a TP roll and was running with it. My toddler thought it was hilarious to chase him and in half a second tried to grab the tp roll from him and Taco bit him- hard. This is the second time he’s bit my son; third bite incident. I know it was partly my toddlers fault but he’s a toddler , as much as I tell him not to take things from Taco he forgets. I feel like I can’t trust him and sometimes he honestly scares me. I love him and he’s breaking my heart by acting this way. I don’t know what else to do and am even re-thinking if we are the right home for him. My Hubby hasn’t found out yet but he’s going to be furious.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I've never had that problem but I know one thing, once a dog bites my child, it's time go to a home that dog can feel secure in, otherwise, he's going to try to take control using the only tools he's got - and he's learns biting works for him. No priceless little child should grow up around a biting dog, however sweet that pet might otherwise be. A dog predisposed to biting needs a handler experienced in dealing with this type of aggression against humans. Some dogs just don't have the temperament for living around children, fear them actually. Taco will be happier and more settled some place w/out children until he feels more secure and self-assured that he can't be hurt by a child and some just never do, especially toy dogs.

[Bluebells]

I have to agree with yorkietalkjilly that a home with a toddler might not be the best place for Taco. As much as you love him, you have to do what’s best for both him and your child, and the present situation isn’t what’s best for either of them. A young child can be traumatized by a biting dog and can spend the rest of his life afraid of dogs.

If you do decide to rehome Taco, please choose someone you know and trust to take him, or else go through a 501c3 (government approved non-profit) rescue group. Too many dogs end up in horrible places because loving owners, needing to find them new homes, are misled by well-practiced hoarders or dog fighters.

[nanajoy]

I know how heartbreaking this will be, but I have to agree. Although you have tried hard, and hired a trainer, two bites for a toddler is a forecast of what may come. This cannot turn out well for either your child, or your dog. Please find him a good, trusted person to re-home Taco where he can feel safe and secure. Or, as already mentioned, a reputable charity shelter. With training in his new (childless) home, he may be able to leave behind fear-driven biting; however, this will not happen in his current environment.

My thoughts will be with you in this time...I know how difficult this will be for you.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

I know how heartbreaking this will be, but I have to agree. Although you have tried hard, and hired a trainer, two bites for a toddler is a forecast of what may come. This cannot turn out well for either your child, or your dog. Please find him a good, trusted person to re-home Taco where he can feel safe and secure. Or, as already mentioned, a reputable charity shelter. With training in his new (childless) home, he may be able to leave behind fear-driven biting; however, this will not happen in his current environment.

My thoughts will be with you in this time...I know how difficult this will be for you.

Oh, couldn't agree more. We'll all be thinking of your heartbreak and loss at your rehome little Taco but you know what you must do to protect your child and your dog's desire to feel safe. He'll do fine in a quieter, childless home where he can settle in w/out worry of being hurt. A good, experienced handler will take the time and effort required to turn him around and believe me, it takes total dedication which busy mom's just don't have.

[ChibiLuv]

He was adopted from UYR so he would go back there. I have do doubt he’d be adopted again in a heart beat because he’s so cute and he would be a great dog for someone with no kids. It is heartbreaking though, my heart breaks for what must have happened to him to make him this way and I’m heartbroken that I can’t seem to fix him. I think I’ve known what to do since the first bite but I just don’t want to do it.

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by ChibiLuv

He was adopted from UYR so he would go back there. I have do doubt he’d be adopted again in a heart beat because he’s so cute and he would be a great dog for someone with no kids. It is heartbreaking though, my heart breaks for what must have happened to him to make him this way and I’m heartbroken that I can’t seem to fix him. I think I’ve known what to do since the first bite but I just don’t want to do it.

If it’s any consolation, the problem isn’t that you can’t fix him. The problem is that he can’t live safely and happily with a toddler. That’s an unfortunate circumstance outside of your control. I know it’s heartbreaking for you, but letting him go to a home without small children is the right thing for him, and getting a pup who can thrive in a home with small children is the right thing for your human family.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by ChibiLuv

He was adopted from UYR so he would go back there. I have do doubt he’d be adopted again in a heart beat because he’s so cute and he would be a great dog for someone with no kids. It is heartbreaking though, my heart breaks for what must have happened to him to make him this way and I’m heartbroken that I can’t seem to fix him. I think I’ve known what to do since the first bite but I just don’t want to do it.

Little Taco's insecurities will likely take someone with far more innate dog handling skill, time and dedication than most dog owners have time or inclination to carry through to the end, requiring undue time, patience and skills to incite the dog to eagerly buy into their program of desensitization and self-confidence building. It takes a skillful cheerleader whose excitement level, involvement and commitment to the dog totally hooks him into the program and builds a desire in him that makes him happily want to do it the trainer's way just for the fun and much confidence-building glory, praises and rewards of it he'll adore experiencing. It's dedicated work, takes real effort to keep the excitement level worked up and going to engage the dog.

Those that try usually give up 1/2 of the way in and pup reverts to his natural fears and ways. But if dog handling comes naturally and is just a part of one's routine day, it's not onerous. You, on the other hand, likely have a job or a home to run and have a very young child to nurture and raise, little time to rehabilitate a dog from his insecurity of young children.

On the other hand, if Taco goes to a home where he'll never be exposed to young children, even if his new custodian isn't that skilled in dog handling, he's very unlikely to feel as insecure and worried, live more happily, knowing he's little king of the castle. He'll probably live a much more settled life. My Tibbe was frequently skittish around young kids but had been fun-trained to avoid his natural inclination to bolt or fear-bite for positive rewards he found more worthy. But I wouldn't trust him around a kid if I weren't there, too. Not worth chancing it.

Find little Taco a home he can be happier in, miss and grieve him and it will hurt so, so, so bad, but just know that your child is far safer, won't grow up fearing dog bites and actually you'll feel better knowing little Taco is actually better off, far more relaxed and secure. It's a safest way to go for all concerned.

[ChibiLuv]

That’s the hard part though,Taco loves my son. They play outside, they run and love to go for walks. Taco wants to be part of whatever my son is doing. This is not a dog who is insecure around kids, this is a dog that was never taught to have a soft mouth or that he can’t claim things are his. I did talk to the rescue this morning and we are going to have a chat with a behaviorist. If they say it’s best to rehome him I will, as much as it might break my heart but I have to know I did everything I could.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by ChibiLuv

That’s the hard part though,Taco loves my son. They play outside, they run and love to go for walks. Taco wants to be part of whatever my son is doing. This is not a dog who is insecure around kids, this is a dog that was never taught to have a soft mouth or that he can’t claim things are his. I did talk to the rescue this morning and we are going to have a chat with a behaviorist. If they say it’s best to rehome him I will, as much as it might break my heart but I have to know I did everything I could.

I feel your hurt and sorrow. I know exactly what it feels like. One of life's hardest decisions and so painful, but easy when an injured child might result. I'd be inclined to think it's not as much about lack of soft-mouth training or not knowing he can't claim things as it is fear-based and a deep-seated insecure need to regress to aggressively guarding things he wants. Some insecure dogs openly resent little kids taking their resources and perhaps hurting them, so an insecure dog will use the only tools he's got to stand his ground, regain control, back the child off. Unchecked biting of a loved family member always escalates and sometimes there are open wounds, permanent facial, limb scars, even by small dogs when biting little childrens' faces or arms.

When a dog crosses the line to actually resort to biting his caregiver's child, he's become emboldened by his fear and needy possessiveness of resources which is beyond easy help. Most dogs aren't insecure around their family members, readily give in to their humans, especially the little ones, who take things from them or even who might move aggressively toward them and just back down, move away, instinctively sensing they are puppy-like but big enough to hurt them. Some toy dogs seem to be more nervous around small children but learn over time how to avoid them. I can never trust a dog who doesn't readily give in, back down, move away from any little child he loves during innocent play until he's successfully undergone extensive positive rehabilitation.

[ChibiLuv]

We booked a behaviorist but before our appointment, he bit Artie again- unprovoked. They are coming to get him tomorrow 😢 uh I hate this. Send healing, prayers, good voodoo, whatever my way. It’s going to be super hard especially because Wednesday would have been Chibi’s 13th birthday and I really thought Taco was here to help us heal from our loss of him but now we are loosing Taco too

[nanajoy]

I am so sorry that you have had to make this difficult decision. Hopefully Taco will find a home without children where he can grow into a confident and calm dog. Just as important, my hope is that you will be able to find a new companion who will fit into your family and provide you, and your son, with many happy years of loving adventures. Good luck, and hugs!

[Bluebells]

Originally Posted by ChibiLuv

We booked a behaviorist but before our appointment, he bit Artie again- unprovoked. They are coming to get him tomorrow 😢 uh I hate this. Send healing, prayers, good voodoo, whatever my way. It’s going to be super hard especially because Wednesday would have been Chibi’s 13th birthday and I really thought Taco was here to help us heal from our loss of him but now we are loosing Taco too

I’m sorry. Knowing it’s the right decision for both Taco and your son doesn’t make it any less painful. I can’t emphasize enough, though, that it’s not your fault you couldn’t “fix” this. Taco just needs a home without small children, and your son needs a home without a biting dog.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I'm so sorry, Veronica. I know how hard the pain and loss are right now and will be for a long, long, long time but you literally had no choice, made the right, awful decision for precious Artie and dear little Taco's sakes. You will hurt and feel responsible for a long time but don't, you did all you could. Once a dog threatens or actually bites family members he loves, it usually requires some hard, drastic measures to get the biting dog into the right hands for real help by a skilled dog handler. You did the only thing you could.

[yorkietalkjilly]

How are you and your sweet Artie doing?