A Serious Situation, Thoughts Needed

Oh my.  This is such a hard situation.  Obviously, I have nothing to go on, but what you just wrote.  Seems to me the parents failed in their responsibilities to both the dog and the child.  Seems to me that the dog is in a situation now that is making him VERY uncomfortable.  Removing him from the home is undoubtedly the best short term solution.

The closest I can come to sharing this experience concerns my partner's brother and his family.  We live on opposite sides of the country.  They come to visit once a year.  Two little girls for two weeks once a year is about all the kid exposure Baily gets.  He nipped them both 3 years ago (very long story).  Our solution was separation and a basket muzzle.  That is only for two weeks though.  This dog can't live like that full time.  Not fair to anybody.

I will keep you, him, this family in my thoughts.  I am hoping that it was simply the stress of the baby bringing out his fear.  I am hoping that he is otherwise healthy and a happy fun little guy.  I am hoping that he can find a new home with no kids.

Good on you, for taking him in.

 Sunshine, my former foster, went through this but her issue was a bit more extreme I think.

It is never a good situation. *hugs*

I would not jump to euthanasia right away but would have the dog thoroughly evaluated first.  If the dog is very fearful and stressed in general, then euthanasia might be the kind thing to do.  I've seen a few dogs that are just plain terrified of everything and I wonder what really is their quality of life?  Is their mental state any less debilitating than painful terminal cancer?  If the dog is fearful and as no tolerance specifically for children (my Kenya is this way) but is otherwise responsive to training and well-adjusted, then perhaps he can find a no-kids home.  In any case I would always be completely transparent and honest about the bite history.

 Kim what a sad situation!  I can only wish you luck and hope that this guy can be rehomed in a child free environment.  (self edit)

Our best vibes coming your way

 Just a side note: I hope that this thread does not get too judgmental on the parents. If the dog is there first you can't always predict how the dog will react to children. How many times have we heard that a dog is being re-homed due to kids being born? And we all hate it. However, it sounds like they did not want to re-home the dog right away. I give them credit for that much at least. Trying to stick with it and making it work. We don't know if they ever brought a trainer in but some does just don't like kids - with good reason.

 good point Julie

Kim, I'm sure you have thought of all the possible ramifications of the future of this dog.  My thoughts are that only after some time for the dog to adjust to your home can you evaluate him with the thought of possibly rehoming to a child free home.  Even that isn't any guarantee that the dog won't encounter a child and possibly be in a situation where it feels the need to protect itself in the future.

  What a heartbreaking situation for everyone.  I'll keep him in my thoughts and you too.  I know that you will make a good decision based on your knowledge and experience.  It may not be an easy decision but you'll do the right thing. 

Jewlieee

 Just a side note: I hope that this thread does not get too judgmental on the parents. If the dog is there first you can't always predict how the dog will react to children. How many times have we heard that a dog is being re-homed due to kids being born? And we all hate it. However, it sounds like they did not want to re-home the dog right away. I give them credit for that much at least. Trying to stick with it and making it work. We don't know if they ever brought a trainer in but some does just don't like kids - with good reason.

Julie's right, but this sad tale should be instructive to those who bring a dog into a childless family - please, please, please, socialize the puppy with kids even if you think you don't want any.  Mistakes happen, relatives visit, and the dog should be able to be reasonably comfortable in public situations in which they encounter kids of all ages.

As to this particular dog, if he is well socialized generally, and able to interact safely with adults and with other dogs, then he probably could live with an adult family.  But, it is always dangerous to place a dog like this because you do assume a certain amount of liability, perhaps, should the dog bite again.  If you find, when you question the family, that the dog gave plenty of warning (it sounds from your description that he was trying to get away, and that the bite happened when he couldn't) then that is a safer bet than the dog that rushes out aggressively all the time to fend off a threat.  Still, it's unlikely that a rescue group will take a dog that has face-bitten a kid, and so all the liability would rest with you.  That sucks.  I do hope that you will have politely educated the parents about what you think went wrong, and counseled them about perhaps getting an adult dog already known to be friendly with kids, so that their child doesn't grow up terrified of dogs.

I found the "rushing" of the child concerning. IMO. This seemed from your post to be BEFORE the child was even mobile? Perhaps occuring when it cried or flailed about? IMO this is concerning because THIS is the kind of behaviior that will get a dog labled "dangerous" by the City in many places. A dog need not even BITE a person many places, only "agress unprovoked". If the dog take to rushing children out on walks for example, or gets loose and exhibits this behavior towards anyone really...concerning.

Whats is this dogs status now? If the baby was injured was medical attention sought? Was the family truthful with their doctor and what if any proceedings are pending on this dog? That would be my first question?

Wow, really sad situation.  Regardless, the parents are responsible for failing to protect the child and the dog.  My heart goes out to all, but especially the dog.

I will update further in a bit, however I just wanted to say I am not in any way out to blame the family. The dog was a happy household member for seven years, the baby is just about ten months old. They had no idea how the dog would react to children, and the problem only occurred once the baby started sitting and crawling around. The *rushing* of the baby didn't happen before that, no. As long as the baby didn't move, all was well, it was only when baby got old enough to be mobile.

Anyhow, just got home, will share more later! I'll definitely update as necessary once settled in.

So w'ere (sort of) settled in now, and trying to get everyone adjusted. My guys can tell there's something in the works, but they aren't sure what. They've only briefly seen Harley, but they don't need to meet for a bit yet.

Things are a little more complicated than they first seemed. The only way I can describe Harley right now is shell-shocked. When we first pulled in the driveway, I took him for a short walk, and he did go pee but remained at the end of the leash the entire time - not pulling, but as far from me as physically possible. His eyes were like dinner plates and he was throwing every stress signal I know of around. He was put on Clomicalm three weeks ago by their previous vet, but he hasn't been taking it long enough to have any effect, so I am going to continue with its use.

We walked into the house together and he took immediate refuge under the table in the corner of the kitchen. I let him stay there a while to calm down a bit, but he would not take any treats at all - steak, cheese, nothing. I eventually had to guide him out, which he came willingly, but then looked for another hiding area. I set up the spare bedroom for him. It contain a double-size box spring with a couple comforters and his own beds on it, his toys, and some fresh water. It is separated by a baby gate and when not supervised the full door is shut. I sat with him for a while, and spent about 15 minutes removing his leash. Every time I moved slightly he would stop panting, become close-mouthed, and start lip-licking quickly, eyes widening. So I had to move really slowly. He then crawled under the box spring and stayed there.

I had a vet appointment, so I closed him in safely and left him a few bits of cooked steak on the floor. They were still there when I returned 1.5 hours later. I did, however, manage to coax him out, leash him, and take him into the office with me, where he currently is. There is a baby gate in the door, and there is an expen set up a few feet from that with a blanket on it currently to obstruct views. I will work to slowly remove the barrier, but for now it is for the best.

He still does not want me moving anywhere near him, but he is watching me. If I sit down on the floor too closely, he will simply move inward on himself and shiver so hard he rattles the floor. He is acting interested in the other dogs, though, so in a day or so I might let him meet Zipper and see how that goes. But I'm giving him two days of *just* me and my partner with him, and no stress (or as little as possible).

 I have spoken to my own vet, will be speaking with his vet, and will also be speaking with some professionals that I respect to get some other input locally. Right now it's just going to be a matter of seeing what happens in the coming days/weeks. I will not be making any decisions lightly, and I'm not in any rush to make any decisions, but I do have to be realistic as well, and I will make the decision that I feel is the right one, keeping in mind his quality of life, and the safety of everyone involved.

Aww, poor little guy.  Very sad situation all the way around.

 that fear sounds pretty extreme. Keep us updated.