Post by sabrinao on Mar 30, 2016 8:29:27 GMT
We got our beautiful dog Benjy about 10 weeks ago and he's settled beautifully in our house. We chose him because he kept sniffing my 4 year old and wagging his tail at her in the kennel. He's been really lovely with the kids and recently my 7 year old has been thing charge of the lead when we walk him and he's been well behaved and generally a pleasure to be with.
Then yesterday something happened that made me immediately comb this board and other boards for some advice.
We were at a friends house and there were many children there, mostly aged 4-8. He was perfectly normal and fine with them. Interacting when he wanted to and finding a quiet spot in the sun to lie down when he wanted some peace. We were there about 3h with no incident event during lunchtime (with >10 kids) but then another little girl arrived, smaller than the others, about 2. Suddenly before I knew what was happening she was screaming in the garden and her mother was trying to pull her away from Benjy who was biting her bottom repeatedly. He growled at one point her mum told me though his other posturing was that of playing. I called him off and ran to him and he stopped. I didn't know what to do my immediate instinct was to leave the party but my kids weren't really ready so I put him in the car for some time out and we left 45min later.
There were bite marks but no broken skin on the girl and she was fine.
This is the first time he's behaved in this way. I think his confidence has increased with time as he has started doing things he didn't previously do.
Like he barks at us when we are watching tv around 5pm because he wants us to be in the kitchen visibly preparing food. And he play bit (nipped) my 8 year old last weekend when they were running around in the garden.
He's really used to children (well since we got him). And we've had parties in our own house and he's been good as gold.
In the future I plan to muzzle him when we are in any crowded situation at home or outside and will warn parents with small ones not to leave them unattended... Not that we did this time! The girls mum was with her but something happened so quickly!
Any advice appreciated.
Then yesterday something happened that made me immediately comb this board and other boards for some advice.
We were at a friends house and there were many children there, mostly aged 4-8. He was perfectly normal and fine with them. Interacting when he wanted to and finding a quiet spot in the sun to lie down when he wanted some peace. We were there about 3h with no incident event during lunchtime (with >10 kids) but then another little girl arrived, smaller than the others, about 2. Suddenly before I knew what was happening she was screaming in the garden and her mother was trying to pull her away from Benjy who was biting her bottom repeatedly. He growled at one point her mum told me though his other posturing was that of playing. I called him off and ran to him and he stopped. I didn't know what to do my immediate instinct was to leave the party but my kids weren't really ready so I put him in the car for some time out and we left 45min later.
There were bite marks but no broken skin on the girl and she was fine.
This is the first time he's behaved in this way. I think his confidence has increased with time as he has started doing things he didn't previously do.
Like he barks at us when we are watching tv around 5pm because he wants us to be in the kitchen visibly preparing food. And he play bit (nipped) my 8 year old last weekend when they were running around in the garden.
He's really used to children (well since we got him). And we've had parties in our own house and he's been good as gold.
In the future I plan to muzzle him when we are in any crowded situation at home or outside and will warn parents with small ones not to leave them unattended... Not that we did this time! The girls mum was with her but something happened so quickly!
Any advice appreciated.