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Should I get rid of my pit bull mix?

We have had my pit bull for about 9 years (since he was a puppy). He has never showed any kind of people aggression but the other day we were in my bed room (my husband, my son, my dog, and I) and he bit my toddler in the face. My son and my dog were playing and I know that my son must have done something to him to make him snap like that and as soon as he did it, my dog started shaking because he knew he had done wrong. I love my dog but obviously my son comes first. My husband doesn't want to get rid of him. He wants to give him one more chance. Are we wrong for giving him another chance? Also, does anyone know if CPS can take your child if you keep a dog after a dog bite because my son has a speech evaluation on Wednesday and Im not sure he will be healed up by then and I am scared they will call CPS?


Asked by Member 1091810 on Feb 13th 2012 Tagged toddler, bite, pitbull, cps, dss in Behavior & Training
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Bruno

I doubt CPS would get involved for a dog bite unless they're already on your case about other things. (Assuming there was no negligence involved.) Children get bitten by family dogs all the time.

Keep in mind, if you give up this dog, it's a nearly certain death sentence. There are very, very, few homes for an elderly dog with a bite history, especially given his breed. It would be kinder to put him down yourself than dump him at a shelter.

If you do keep him, I suggest separating him and the baby. Give your dog a "safe zone" where your son can't get to him, like a crate, and try to impress on your son that the doggy is NOT for touching (I know that's hard with toddlers.) Here is a good site about preventing dog bites to young children:
www.dogsandbabieslearning.com

Good luck, I think everyone deserves a second chance!


Bruno answered on 2/13/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Wiley

I would start with a vet visit & have him thoroughly checked out. Any sudden appearance of aggression needs to have physical reasons ruled out. A senior exam may also be due..have his thyroid checked, eye sight. You are right..there may have been something you didn't see that caused the bite.
Bruno gave good advice as per rehoming.


Wiley answered on 2/13/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Howard

1). I would definitely give your dog a second chance. You've had him for 9 years, that's a long time and just giving him up wouldn't be good. He'd probably get very stressed and depressed if you gave him up since he's been with you for so long. Children make a lot of mistakes but that doesn't mean you can give them up for something they did.

2). Take your dog to the vet. Aggression out of nowhere usually means that your dog has some type of medical problem that needs to be looked at immediately or the behavior could escalate.

3). Consult a behaviorist if nothing shows up at the vet. Out of nowhere aggression can lead to serious problems and consulting a behaviorist, if nothing shows up at the vet would be your best bet.

4). I agree with Bruno, CPS would probably do nothing about it. Let's say you're playing with your dogs and they bite you which has happened to me many times. Dogs can bite and there's always a reason why they do so don't worry about it.


Howard answered on 2/15/12. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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