Whippet Bite

[jimmy]

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Our eldest dog Jack(14months) bit one of our sons on the face the other day.i took Matthew(9) to hospital where he had three stitches in his lip and two strips on his cheek.

I was'nt there at the time of the "accident" but from what the boys are telling me is that they were fooling around with Jack and James(11)pushed Jacks backend and he turned round and bit Matthew who was leaning over to kiss Jack.

As you can probably understand we're both devastated that this has happened,and still can't believe it.Matthews going to be ok,but what if it had happened to one of our friends children,we would'nt forgive ourselves.I was just wondering if anybody else has had a whippet bite anyone.

Deborah wanted to let him go,but the boys are begging her to let him stay.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

 

[Janimal]

Jimmy so sorry about Mathew - hope hes got over his shock. :luck:

Im sure you will get lots of good advice from people more knowledgeble in this situation. :thumbsup:

I also have two teenagers and two dogs and dread this ever happening - so I feel for you. Luckily none of my dogs so far (touch wood )have ever gone to bite anyone, and hope they never will.

 

[Seraphina]

Our eldest dog Jack(14months) bit one of our sons on the face the other day.i took Matthew(9) to hospital where he had three stitches in his lip and two strips on his cheek.I was'nt there at the time of the "accident" but from what the boys are telling me is that they were fooling around with Jack and James(11)pushed Jacks backend and he turned round and bit Matthew who was leaning over to kiss Jack.

As you can probably understand we're both devastated that this has happened,and still can't believe it.Matthews going to be ok,but what if it had happened to one of our friends children,we would'nt forgive ourselves.I was just wondering if anybody else has had a whippet bite anyone.

Deborah wanted to let him go,but the boys are begging her to let him stay.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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It is absolutely impossible to ascertain how justified this bite was. I know some will say that dog biting a child is never justifiable, but we do not know how much "push" did James give him. Trying to imagine the situation; is it possible James kneed the dog on his testicles? if the dog was laying down is it possible James stood on the dog's leg? There are many possibilities when the child could have caused a sudden sharp pain and the dog reacted the only way dogs know how, he bit the first thing that came to his mouth.

By the way how was the dog immediately after this incident; "was he grumpy or all waggly tail saying I am so sorry I did not mean that" ? I would also check the dog all over very careful to make sure he is not hurting.

I think your children have learned a lesson and will understand to be more careful with dogs in general. I would just watch the dog's behavior very carefully for any sign of real aggression.

I certainly would supervise the kids when they play with Jack and observe the dog's reactions to them. With bit of luck it was just a reaction to sudden pain caused by the kids. :luck:

 

[Paula Roberts]

It dosent sound like the dog was being nasty when he bit your son, it does sound like a freak accident, none of mine have ever bitten my children but they are taught from an early age not to mess around with them, i can understand you are now worried about other peoples children the only thing i can suggest is you crate the dog if anyone comes round, better to be safe than sorry, hope it all works out well for you all.

 

[jimmy]

Jack wasnt in pain when he bit Matthew,from what i can gather it was an unfortunate accident-----hopefully never to be repeated.It's just the fact now that can Jack be trusted.

 

[fallenangel]

Just the push could have spooked jack with the weather changing his back leg may be giving him a bit of gip I know our laceys feels the cold more in her brocken leg then any other and has done since we got her she dosnt limp but is a bit stiffer with it and it shakes more this time of years

. With 3 kids here and 8 dogs some of my dogs being very large we have rules on play we do not allow any sort of fighting with the kids and dogs they can play with toys chase games and fetch games but no fighting all kisses and cuddles are done when everyones seated and theres no messing about going on.

I dont think you should be unduly worred but set some house rulies about intreaction with the dogs and just make sure jack knows his place in the pecking order.

I dont let other peoples kids play with our dogs they can strock them if there carm and gental with them. I am not worred about my dogs hurting any kids more other peoples kids being stupped with my dogs

 

[aslan]

With bit of luck it was just a reaction to sudden pain caused by the kids.

It was an instantaneous reaction and not necessarily to pain - but more likely to shock/fear.

We all know how boisterous young boys can be at play. And how their own fun and games often turn to tears because they end up hurting each other through carelessness.

In amongst this "fooling around" the dog has received a shove of some kind from behind. He took fright, he reacted quickly to stop whatever was coming at him from behind. Dogs don't have very many mechanisms with which to say "STOP IT!"

I think people often expect too much of dogs. They expect them to reason the way humans do and they just don't have that ability. Jack did not have the reasoning ability within that instant to say to himself - "oh that was James that pushed me, I can't bite him because he's a child."

The boys hopefully will have learned that a dog is not a human and cannot be pushed and pulled and rolled around in a game like another boy of their own age would be, and that they will not play games like this in future with the dog. I think the boys both realise that they are largely at fault - otherwise they would not be begging to keep the dog.

It is very sad for Matthew that he has been badly damaged in the act of trying to kiss the dog - but I'm sure he understands that he was in the wrong place at that instant. I hope he heals well and soon.

 

[Vicky]

Thing is with whippets they're not Labradors or Springers and wont tolerate being pushed about, our kids hang off the spaniel and have piggy back rides etc, then they try and push their luck with the whippets and end up with the whips giving em a good telling off - i dont think it's a case of not being able to trust Jack again, you just need to make the kids aware that they don't put him in that situation again.

Hope Mathew's ok :huggles:

 

[janfiers]

It's such a shame when that happens. It happened when my daughter (who's now 25) was 15 months old. We were decorating because we'd moved house and she was tottering around as babies do, the dog (a border collie, I might add) was lying down fast asleep. Karolynne tumbled and fell right onto the dog including his bits. His reaction was to wake up sharply and bite the 'thing' that had caused him pain.

You can imagine the scene, the dog was hustled out of the room, whilst I looked at Karolynne's injuries and we made a mad dash to the hospital being pulled up by plod on the way because we were going well over the speed limit. But when they saw why, they gave us police escort, blue lights and everything.

Karolynne did need 10 stitches in two lacerations. The hospital offered Karolynne plastic surgery when she was older, but at the age it would have been done Karolynne herself decided not to have it done as the scars left only really show when she's poorly with a cold etc.

When we got back the dog growled at her and so we took the decision to have him put to sleep as we didn't trust him anymore and you can never guarantee there won't be a further incident. It was heartbreaking at the time but our children come first.

The point I am trying to make is that although Karolynne's dad (not Pedro) was in the room at the time the accident still happened.

Therefore I agree with the other K9'ers who have suggested having rules is a very good idea.

Does Karolynne still like dogs, you bet, she won the KCJO Handling Finals at Crufts in 1991 (I have the video still :wub: ) and she now has 4 dogs of her own, 3 Staffies and a Jack Russell.

Apart from the trauma for Karolynne and losing the dog, it was when we took Karolynne out and about while her injury was healing, folk would look at us as if to say we'd beaten her up and one woman actually said to us that we should be ashamed at what we'd done to our daughter and she should be taken into care, for which I was nearly arrested as I flew at the woman and very nearly strangled her for making such untrue statements. Of course she didn't say it directly to my face but was behind us as we had passed her by and she said it in a loud voice to her friend making sure I could hear.

As I said that was 24ish years ago, but the memories still remain very fresh today.

I know I've gone on a bit but I thought if you had the whole story it would be helpful.

 

[Janimal]

It's such a shame when that happens.  It happened when my daughter (who's now 25) was 15 months old.  We were decorating because we'd moved house and she was tottering around as babies do, the dog (a border collie, I might add) was lying down fast asleep.  Karolynne tumbled and fell right onto the dog including his bits.  His reaction was to wake up sharply and bite the 'thing' that had caused him pain.
You can imagine the scene, the dog was hustled out of the room, whilst I looked at Karolynne's injuries and we made a mad dash to the hospital being pulled up by plod on the way because we were going well over the speed limit.  But when they saw why, they gave us police escort, blue lights and everything.

Karolynne did need 10 stitches in two lacerations.  The hospital offered Karolynne plastic surgery when she was older, but at the age it would have been done Karolynne herself decided not to have it done as the scars left only really show when she's poorly with a cold etc.

When we got back the dog growled at her and so we took the decision to have him put to sleep as we didn't trust him anymore and you can never guarantee there won't be a further incident.  It was heartbreaking at the time but our children come first. 

The point I am trying to make is that although Karolynne's dad (not Pedro) was in the room at the time the accident still happened.

Therefore I agree with the other K9'ers who have suggested having rules is a very good idea.

Does Karolynne still like dogs, you bet, she won the KCJO Handling Finals at Crufts in 1991 (I have the video still  :wub: ) and she now has 4 dogs of her own, 3 Staffies and a Jack Russell.

Apart from the trauma for Karolynne and losing the dog, it was when we took Karolynne out and about while her injury was healing, folk would look at us as if to say we'd beaten her up and one woman actually said to us that we should be ashamed at what we'd done to our daughter and she should be taken into care, for which I was nearly arrested as I flew at the woman and very nearly strangled her for making such untrue statements.  Of course she didn't say it directly to my face but was behind us as we had passed her by and she said it in a loud voice to her friend making sure I could hear.

As I said that was 24ish years ago, but the memories still remain very fresh today.

I know I've gone on a bit but I thought if you had the whole story it would be helpful.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

What a sad story Jan -

Think there is definitely a moral in there - because ALL DOGS are capable of biting ..... the ground rules do have to be put in place most certainly I agree.

 

[Paula Roberts]

Really glad that your daughter wasnt put off dogs with this happening when she was small. Kierens friend at school hes only 7 is absolutly terrified of dogs as one growled and barked at him when he was in the park with his mum when he was 2, this stops him coming to our house because we have 11 of them which is a real shame.

 

[Cleopatra]

Hopefully it was a one off incident, but caution should now be taken as you never know.

My Billy whippet is 8 and if my my son is playing rough he lets him know when its too rough by mouthing him more than biting, but i still keep an eye on them when they are all playing.

Hope you can all get over this not easy i expect, but maybe rules might just work in this case :luck:

Wishing you and your family and furries can all live in bite free harmony from now on! :huggles:

 

[hannibulls]

Can I add a different perspective to this please - one that you might not want to hear. Sorry!

We had a Whippet x when I was a small child (I am now almost 40 Years old), when I was about 3 I was sitting on the kitchen step watching my Mum making jam tarts (mmmmmm!), the dog needed to pass and bit my face in the process. OK probaby didn't mean to do it, I have a small facial scar BUT a week or so later my sister (aged about 2) was on the living room floor with some toys and the dog was in the kitchen, Dad put him on his lead to go out and as he walked past my sister he bit her on the face too! Neither time had we tormented the dog nor was it in any pain (that Dad can remember).

Enough was enough and the decision was made that he would be PTS. Before he went off my Mum was having a cuddle and he bite her face too.

FWIW he was an uncastrated 3 year old male who we had owned for about a year after his previous owner died (a friend of Dad's who asked Dad to take the dog as he had a terminal illness).

It has not put either of us off dogs - I have 4 now and my sister has 2.

 

[Joanna]

NO dog is 100% trust-worthy. Funnily enough, my 11 year old was trying to shove Archie off of the sofa recentely. He was in pain at the time with his ligament injury. He turned his head and pinched Oliver on the face with his teeth. No blood, no mark..............I was devastated, I shoved him off of the sofa but also reminded myself and Oliver about rules with dogs. I feel totally to blame, Oliver was rocking him in an annoying way and I should have moved Archie myself. It gave me a shock, and I was so upset with Archie for about a week after. It was a warning shot, and I feel fortunate I didn't have to make a hard decision. Kids and dogs can be a very bad combination............I really feel it is up to us as the adults to prevent problems arising and protect every-one. Possibly the dog should be allowed to have a bed away from the kids in another room, and a word with the youngsters about not fooling when dogs are around. Don't beat yourself up over it. I am sure it would be plainly obvious if the dog was a liabilty, It does sound like a reactive nip through fear/pain.

 

[Karen-Coral]

I'd give the dog a 2nd chance-

When my brother and I were kids-we both could be silly/overpowering with our dogs-

My mum kept dobermanns-we both had a bite from them-and looking back it was our fault not the dogs-

One time he was half asleep-and we startled him- the other dog/ time he was not well-

We learnt and showed the dogs more respect pretty soon after that.....

We all have our off days-

Hope he's ok soon

 

[TC]

I would give the dog a second chance, and some definite ground rules for the children. In this instance I think the dog was startled, albeit unintentionally, and reacted the only way he can.

I would also like to add (and I know it is not the case in this incident) but in most cases, if a dog growls at a child, the dogs should not be punished. This is a warning, and the only one that our canine friends have. If a dog is reprimanded for this it will feel that it is not able to growl again, and so will just not give a warning the next time and bite straight away.

I am not saying that dog should just be allowed to growl at everyone all the time, but the entire incident can then be analysed. If it is obvious why he was growling (i.e being chastised) then the human involved can be educated. If it is not obvious, then that is when you have to look further as to why he felt the need to warn someone to leave him alone.

Just my opinion, and sure others will have a view, but I sometimes feel that we forget that dogs cannot explain their actions to us in a simple language, and you have to look a bit further.

 

[lalena]

if the dog is usually fine with children, accepts his place at the bottom of the totem pole (has never had a battle for dominance with any family member) give him another chance. if there have been times when he's displayed dodgy behavior, have him pts.

what we did when we first got amber was every time we felt the kids were getting too rough was to reprimand them in front of her, and every time she even thought about growling at them, we'd send her out. thankfully, we have a brilliant trust relationship between us: now, we can tell by the way she looks at us when she's had enough, so we can restrain the kids before they go too far.

it sounds horrible, but you have to put animals in their place from the start. that does not mean use violence, but they need to know where they stand. dont confuse them by changing the rules. at the same time, make clear cut rules for the rest of the household. everyone wins that way, and the dog feels secure. i've known people who thought it was cute for an 8wk old puppy to play fight, jumping and nibbling the children, growling and munching on the furniture. these self same people didnt find it so cute for a 6mth old youngster to do these things, and decided to put the dogs into rescue.

 

[Strike Whippets]

This is a hard one ........My little boy is 7 now and has been bitten by 2 of my 8 dog's ..........When I say bitten I really mean warned .........Joanna scratched him when he was 3 years old after Benjamin had cornered her and bitten her so hard that he was close to drawing blood ........No wonder she growled etc ......but SHE knew her place, bite limits (this is why puppies mouth) and limits .......heres a 3 year old child at face level with a dog that he is biting and hurting badly ........she growled and scratched him ......she could have done seriose damage .......I of course being a good mother yelled at the dog then bit Benjamin to show him how it felt .......He never bit anything again though :- "

The second time, Benjamin was 6 and he pushed Inca back on the sofa so he could squeeze on with her ........She snapped at his face (again just scratching him) .........I nearly had her pts as my lot are brought up to put up with being woken up, moved etc .......as IMHO I don't think it's ok for any dog to react or bite just because it's been woken up or touched whilst asleep etc .........but working on the assumption that Inca had never shown any dominant/aggressive tendencies, I thought i'd get her checked out first .......It turned out that she had dislodged some cartilage from her vertibrae and it was lodged in the muscle between her shoulder blades making it agonising for her front legs to be forcably moved ..........This is one of the only times i've been pleased she was injured .....

No one can really tell you what to do ......the desicion is your's, but I personally don't find it acceptable for a child to have stitches .......

 

[nina]

Probably NO ONE is gonna want to hear this BUT i have to say it anyway.

This is EXACTLY why i NEVER sell a pup to anyone with young children.

No disrespect but however good natured the dog you CAN NOT watch 24-7.

Kids on the whole dont mean to be spiteful but what is determined as a harmless push by them can take a dog by fright.

Yes there are an odd few dogs with suspect temperaments BUT unless i was in the room at the time & saw EXACTLY what happened i wouldn't instantly blame the dog in this case.

I had a lady live near me not so long ago who had a GSD with 4 young kids, one day i asked where the GSD was as i hadn't seen her recently. The reply:

She was 6 years old & had always been fine with the kids until last week when she bit one of my daughters on the face. She was rushed to hospital & needed over 15 stitches. We felt afterwards we could NEVER trust her again so had her put straight to sleep.

It was found out afterwards the "child" had pushed a biro pen down the poor dogs ear perforating its eardrum!

All i'm trying to say is normally in these situations where it is out of character for the dog there is normally a reason & unless i'd been there & seen it first hand i would be loathe to blame the dog without the true eveidence.

Nina

 

[*Lesley*]

Some time ago I had a similar incident with Sienna which as the time as some of you may remember I was devasted I have pm'd Jimmy the link to that as it's a long thread, Jordan and Sienna both respect each other and Jordan also warns his friends to leave Sienna alone unless she comes for a stroke as she doesn't like to be manhandled and it has never happened again, thankfully we all learnt a lesson from the experience and Jordan loves Sienna as much as he ever did and is not afraid of her in anyway. :thumbsup:

It helped me enormously the support I got from K9 members :huggles: and I was amazed at the number of people who had gone through the same experience, I hope it sorts itself out for you Jimmy :luck: :luck: