Lurcher Gone For Son

[Tracyc69]

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Hi!

I am new to this site and am a new lurcher owner so please bear with me!!

We got our Lurcher (Henry) from a dogs home in Manchester 5 weeks ago. He is about 18 months old according to the vet. He is great with everyone, very friendly and very bouncy. We have a four year old son, he is very good with dog and knows not to bother him when he is in his bed and when he is eating etc.

He has started growling at him for no reason. On Saturday I was in the kitchen preparing lunch. Henry was watching me as he always does at the doorway to the kitchen. My son wanted to come into the kitchen to see me, Henry started growling at him, I went to my son and each time we tried to pass him he started growling at my son. When my partner tried to get past him with my son he didnt do it.

Yesterday I was in the kitchen again (I'm always in the kitchen!!) and I had my back to the doorway and I heard Henry growl again and then my son was crying, I think that Henry has bitten my son as he's got a small graze above his eye, although at first my son denied it as I think he thought he'd done something wrong.

I am now worried about Henry and this aggression which he has never shown before, he always goes to my son for a cuddle and likes playing with him. Please can anyone help me as I don't want to take him back to the home and I'm hoping that something can be done whilst he is still young. Please please help!!

 

[liverpoolmitch]

I would suggest you contact the shelter and ask for advice they should have with luck a dog behaviourist that might know whats going on with Henry. For the present keep your son away from the dog or if thats not possible take the dog back to the shelter, your childs welfare comes first.

Does Henry come with any background history? just a bit surpriced they have let him go to a home with a young child.

Hope thing work out :luck:

 

[affieluver]

to be honest i would take the dog back i know this is not what you want but if your son is young i personally wouldnt be happy with the situation as it is especially not knowing the dogs full history i do hope you can sort something out if your son is older though so good luck with whatever you decide and welcome to the forum

 

[~Annie~]

This thread seems to be runnng twice over so I'll paste in the reply I've put in the other version in case you miss it there Tracy.

Hi Tracy, and welcome to the site.

I have been in exactly the same position as you, a fair few years back, and I know just how horrible it feels ... you aren't sure what's happening and you have little idea what to do about it. Just like you I agonised over returning my dog to the rescue kennel and hoped that with the right advice I could solve the problem with no harm done. My youngest son, aged 7, was the child (we have four) that Jasper was growling at, and like all the children he had plenty of doggy experience, having grown up with dogs, so we knew that he wasn't the problem.

You probably won't want to hear this, but imho you should return your lurcher. We did all the right things, including consult a professional behaviourist, but we still ended up in A&E with our son after Jasper bit his face ... luckily he just missed his eye but Phil is 18 now and still bears the scar where he needed stitches just below his eye and in the side of his nose. Thankfully the scar is faint and just adds something slightly piratical to Phil's rugged good lucks, but it could have been so much worse (and my other son only has sight in one eye so I know how life defining that can be, so many activities and professions are closed to him).

If you had had your dog from a pup all the advice re. establishing pack order etc. might be worth pursuing but he is a rescue with a history you cannot be sure of ... he may even have bitten a child before. Sorry to add to your distress, but please think hard about whether you want to take any further risks re. your childs safety.

Annie

 

[Tracyc69]

This thread seems to be runnng twice over so I'll paste in the reply I've put in the other version in case you miss it there Tracy.
Hi Tracy, and welcome to the site.

I have been in exactly the same position as you, a fair few years back, and I know just how horrible it feels ... you aren't sure what's happening and you have little idea what to do about it. Just like you I agonised over returning my dog to the rescue kennel and hoped that with the right advice I could solve the problem with no harm done. My youngest son, aged 7, was the child (we have four) that Jasper was growling at, and like all the children he had plenty of doggy experience, having grown up with dogs, so we knew that he wasn't the problem.

You probably won't want to hear this, but imho you should return your lurcher. We did all the right things, including consult a professional behaviourist, but we still ended up in A&E with our son after Jasper bit his face ... luckily he just missed his eye but Phil is 18 now and still bears the scar where he needed stitches just below his eye and in the side of his nose. Thankfully the scar is faint and just adds something slightly piratical to Phil's rugged good lucks, but it could have been so much worse (and my other son only has sight in one eye so I know how life defining that can be, so many activities and professions are closed to him).

If you had had your dog from a pup all the advice re. establishing pack order etc. might be worth pursuing but he is a rescue with a history you cannot be sure of ... he may even have bitten a child before. Sorry to add to your distress, but please think hard about whether you want to take any further risks re. your childs safety.

Annie

Hi Annie

Thanks very much for your advice. I think this is what I am going to have to do. I was going to contact a dog trainer but having read your story I think it would be best all round if we just returned him. I've wanted a dog for years and my partner wasnt so keen. When he eventually said we could have one I was really pleased. Now he says he doesnt want another dog from the home as we don't know of their history but I still would like a dog preferably a greyhound or a lurcher especially as I was under the impression they are great family dogs, we've probably just ended up with one that's not so good, with kids anyway, he is really good natured the rest of the time and is so friendly thats why I can't understand why he has behaved like this.

Thanks again

Tracy

 

[~Annie~]

You're welcome

Good luck and I hope you soon find the right dog for you ... I'd recommend a whippet every time

Annie

 

[peppermint lady]

This thread seems to be runnng twice over so I'll paste in the reply I've put in the other version in case you miss it there Tracy.
Hi Tracy, and welcome to the site.

I have been in exactly the same position as you, a fair few years back, and I know just how horrible it feels ... you aren't sure what's happening and you have little idea what to do about it. Just like you I agonised over returning my dog to the rescue kennel and hoped that with the right advice I could solve the problem with no harm done. My youngest son, aged 7, was the child (we have four) that Jasper was growling at, and like all the children he had plenty of doggy experience, having grown up with dogs, so we knew that he wasn't the problem.

You probably won't want to hear this, but imho you should return your lurcher. We did all the right things, including consult a professional behaviourist, but we still ended up in A&E with our son after Jasper bit his face ... luckily he just missed his eye but Phil is 18 now and still bears the scar where he needed stitches just below his eye and in the side of his nose. Thankfully the scar is faint and just adds something slightly piratical to Phil's rugged good lucks, but it could have been so much worse (and my other son only has sight in one eye so I know how life defining that can be, so many activities and professions are closed to him).

If you had had your dog from a pup all the advice re. establishing pack order etc. might be worth pursuing but he is a rescue with a history you cannot be sure of ... he may even have bitten a child before. Sorry to add to your distress, but please think hard about whether you want to take any further risks re. your childs safety.

Annie

Hi Annie

Thanks very much for your advice. I think this is what I am going to have to do. I was going to contact a dog trainer but having read your story I think it would be best all round if we just returned him. I've wanted a dog for years and my partner wasnt so keen. When he eventually said we could have one I was really pleased. Now he says he doesnt want another dog from the home as we don't know of their history but I still would like a dog preferably a greyhound or a lurcher especially as I was under the impression they are great family dogs, we've probably just ended up with one that's not so good, with kids anyway, he is really good natured the rest of the time and is so friendly thats why I can't understand why he has behaved like this.

Thanks again

Tracy

i think your doing the best thing alround, now Henry could be homed with older kids or no kids at all...i know i worried when i took in Roma the lurcher i rescued, but luckly for me she is a sweetie and loves everyone....how ever if she had been dominant to the point of growling/snapping when you know the child has done nothing, i would of looked to rehome her.

you should consider a puppy if your thinking of getting another dog, when you have children i think its important to know all the history, so with a puppy from a good breeder you will know everything.

i hope this episode wont put your little boy off dogs, so many children are affraid of dogs i really feel they miss out!

good luck with what ever you decide (but if it is to return the dog to the rescue kennels id do it sooner rather than later)

 

[sarah2]

Hi Tracy,

I am a new lurcher owner too. I',m so sorry you've had problems, it's a big decision to make rehoming a dog but you're right you must put your childs welfare first. We adopted Sonny last April from the local animal shelter where they only rehome to families with kids over 10 years old. He came to us with no training what so ever and we had no history on him. My son is 12 and although Sonny is very sweet and very boisterous he did growl and snap at my son when he tried to pull him out of his bed by his collar and it has made me wary. We laid down the rules and established who's who in the order of the pack. He is a head strong dog so we don't allow him on the sofa or bed. My son now feeds him and takes his toys etc off him and it seems to be ok but you can never be 100% when it comes to dogs. Sometimes love and cuddles aren't enough. Hope it hasn't put you off the breed.

Good luck

Sarah

 

[jazzi-girl]

Many years ago we had to make the decision to rehome a Lurcher that we had owned for six years. Buddy was agressive from the start, but at the time we had no family. When the children came along I managed to keep him and the children apart and not left alone for three and a half years, this being done by calling him out of the room if I was going upstairs etc. One day I left it a little bit longer coming downstairs and the sight that greeted me was Buddy, teeth bared, ready to strike my 9 month old son who was climbing up his favourite chair. I know 100% he would have bitten him, but fortunately I caught him in time. The decision to rehome him was hard to make but also the best we could have made because he was rehomed with a lady called Judy and her father who had recently been widowed, I explained the situation fully and she took him, promising to bring him back if things didn't work out. She kindly kept in contact with me for the next 10 years until Buddy died (four years ago) aged 16. We decided not to own another dog while the children were young. and it took another 13 years until getting another dog, I read up fully on the Whippet and have to say only wanted a female because of the past and owning a male dog. I now own two whippets and they are the best breed of dog in my opinion of course to fit in with our family!

Donna :thumbsup:

 

[Big Jacko]

i agree with the guys, send the dog back and maybe get yourself a wee pup that can grow up with the kid as a friend rather than a rival, it sounds like the dog wants the kids place, not a good position to be in but the kid needs you to make the right decision before its to late, and the shelter will understand, God bless

 

[~Sarah~]

So sorry to hear you are having problems with your lurcher.

I have a 4 year old grandson. As he lives a long distance away he doesn't get to visit us very often, so my dogs really haven't got used to him as he has been growing up. Dolly (whippet) is quite nervous of him and it has always worried me that there may be the potential for her to snap at him. For this reason, when my grandson visits, I generally keep the dogs in a different room. If they are all together I watch them constantly. I would never forgive myself if they hurt him in any way.

Whilst I cope with this for the occasional weekend or few days, I couldn't imagine having to live like this all the time. So I agree with all that has been said already - better for all concerned if you took the dog back and then consider a suitable puppy that will grow up with your son. I am sure it will be a really hard decision, but you have to put your son's wellbeing first.

 

[clare Bow]

Hi, I'm really sorry to hear about this problem with your new dog but under the curcumstances i would not hesitate to take the dog back to the shelter, i know it will be hard for you to do but it sounds like to me your son got off lightly maybe that bit was a little warning sign. You just really can't have pets like that around young kids, what was the shelter thinking of letting you have the dog with such a young child :rant: sounds like they have not done the proper tests and checks on the dog. Very weird, you cant get a dog out of battersea dogs home for love nor money if you have a child under 10 and in most cases no kids its teens only.

I had a terrier from a pup up until my daughter born 10 years ago, he hated children dont know why because i had a son and he grew up with him fine but when my daughter was born i was so worried what he might do once she was crawling and walking about, he was 6 years old and i had him from 8 weeks old so it really broke my heart to do it but i had no choice cos i would not have forgive myself if he had biten my baby so when my daughter was about 5 months old i took him to battersea dogs home told them the situation, it broke my heart

I received a letter from the dogs home about 3 weeks later telling me that he'd been PTS because of his aggression and they would not be able to re home in to anyone. I was so upset and cryed my eyes out for days. to this day i still think about him.

I wish you all the best of luck but do whats right and i'm sure you will find the right dog in the future

I have lots of them lol

Clare x

 

[Tracyc69]

Hi Clare

Thanks for that. Everyone has been so nice and helpful, I have just found out he's gone for my mum who looks after my son whilst I am at work, so that is definitely it. He's going back tomorrow. I feel really bad but its got to be done cos now I am so worried about it whilst I am sat at work wondering what he is going to do next. I think we will get a puppy when my son is a bit older.

thanks again,

Tracy

 

[masta]

the dog needs to be pts you can not return to the dog home and be happy they find the right home for it, what if it bites a kid in the street or it goes to an elderly couple who have grandchildren, im sorry but i am as soft as the next person re my dogs but i live by the rule if any of my dogs bite anyone they are gone

 

[affieluver]

the dog needs to be pts you can not return to the dog home and be happy they find the right home for it, what if it bites a kid in the street or it goes to an elderly couple who have grandchildren, im sorry but i am as soft as the next person re my dogs but i live by the rule if any of my dogs bite anyone they are gone

i think thats a bit harsh maybe the dog has previously had a bad experience with children un be known to anybody as long as the home are aware of the situation i see no reason why the dog cannot be rehomed with a non child family and is muzzled when out at all times

 

[Whippets Rule]

the dog needs to be pts you can not return to the dog home and be happy they find the right home for it, what if it bites a kid in the street or it goes to an elderly couple who have grandchildren, im sorry but i am as soft as the next person re my dogs but i live by the rule if any of my dogs bite anyone they are gone

i think thats a bit harsh maybe the dog has previously had a bad experience with children un be known to anybody as long as the home are aware of the situation i see no reason why the dog cannot be rehomed with a non child family and is muzzled when out at all times

I completely agree I don't see why a dog should die because it doesn't like kids....I don't like kids but I'm allowed to live!!! ok so I won't bite one but ya never know :lol: :lol:

 

[affieluver]

a person after my own heart lol

 

[billyboy45]

I might be speaking out of turn here.But if even one of the dogs,ive had for years,or any pup i have in my possesion,as much as turned an evil eye towards one of my kids,then it wouldn't be breathing.Sorry if this is a bit abrupt.But ive seen 1st hand,what a mess a dog,or even a 5 month old pup,can make,of a childs face,and this was one that was reared from 6 weeks,in the house,with kids.Not everyone would be as like minded as me ,on this.But as said,he was giving out plenty of warning signs before hand,so it wasn't a one off.If you realy want a dog,then the homes are bursting to the seems,with pups of allsorts.Goodluck in finding the right one,but be sure that youre kid hasn't got a fear of dogs now,before you embark on getting one.Again,im sorry for sounding abrupt,but thats me. ...Billy...

 

[affieluver]

I might be speaking out of turn here.But if even one of the dogs,ive had for years,or any pup i have in my possesion,as much as turned an evil eye towards one of my kids,then it wouldn't be breathing.Sorry if this is a bit abrupt.But ive seen 1st hand,what a mess a dog,or even a 5 month old pup,can make,of a childs face,and this was one that was reared from 6 weeks,in the house,with kids.Not everyone would be as like minded as me ,on this.But as said,he was giving out plenty of warning signs before hand,so it wasn't a one off.If you realy want a dog,then the homes are bursting to the seems,with pups of allsorts.Goodluck in finding the right one,but be sure that youre kid hasn't got a fear of dogs now,before you embark on getting one.Again,im sorry for sounding abrupt,but thats me. ...Billy...

not abrupt just honest billy i dont have any children and never will so for me i see things differently but if i did have children they would be put first too )

 

[masta]

the dog needs to be pts you can not return to the dog home and be happy they find the right home for it, what if it bites a kid in the street or it goes to an elderly couple who have grandchildren, im sorry but i am as soft as the next person re my dogs but i live by the rule if any of my dogs bite anyone they are gone

i think thats a bit harsh maybe the dog has previously had a bad experience with children un be known to anybody as long as the home are aware of the situation i see no reason why the dog cannot be rehomed with a non child family and is muzzled when out at all times

I completely agree I don't see why a dog should die because it doesn't like kids....I don't like kids but I'm allowed to live!!! ok so I won't bite one but ya never know :lol: :lol:

my dogs get the best of everything and every chance of a happy contented life, but im sorry agression especially towards children is different and everyone has different views, i take dog ownership seriously and if any dog i have in the house that turns on anyone will be pts i could not live with myself if that dog was rehomed and sometime down the line turned again and scarred (or worse) a child