I got bit in the face today :(

I just don't get what has recently changed with the dog. She's 5 YEARS old...not even close to being a puppy. Their child is 2 YEARS old...so, the dog and the baby have been together for 2 years. And for 2 years everything has been fine...except the past month. She's been getting increasingly growly/nippy over food and toys. She's totally changed her behavior towards the Mom- and me. I've been walking her for a year, and have never ever had a single problem with her. Actually, Layla (the dog) has been excellently behaved at the park and in my car. Like I said, the vet cleared her of any medically problems. They hired me to walk her 5 days a week, M-F, so she could get extra exercise because Mom is home with the baby. I didn't go today, owners know I wasn't coming, because I'm still not confident to walk her yet, I'm not afraid of her, but a nip on the hand or leg is way different than a nip in the face (I have a pretty dark bruise on my face from her still).

I own a Lab, I know they can be boisteruos players, but nipping, especially the face, is unexceptable for any dog, IMO.

 Did the vet do a comprehensive battery of blood tests? Not just feel the dog and see if it winced about something? (Labs rarely show pain, they are so incredibly stoic and happy at the same time.)  I think that more in depth lab work might have to be done. They might want to get a second opinion and point out they don't just want a physical examination.

It could be thyroid, cancer, any number of things that aren't necessarily pain-related, but might be affecting the brain, hormones, bones, who knows? It does sound much more likely that there is a physical problem than anything else, given that everything has been fine for so long.

The other thing to look at is: what has changed? Did the dog get some worm or flea medicine that it usually doesn't? Was it boarded somewhere recently (where someone might be abusing it?)? Does the dog go to dog daycare?

I agree that the dog needs a beef up on obediance and probably a little NILIF. The wife should really think about hand feeding the dog its dinner for the next couple of weeks.

Regardless of how old the baby is it seems as if the dog has learned that baby= less time for her and she is acting out for attention and her frusteration is turning into anxious biting.The really sad thing is this happens a lot, a baby comes, the dog gets jealous, acts out and she is deemed the bad one. Worst case scenario they give her up because she cant be trusted around the baby, I hope this isnt going to be the outcome for this dog, i hope the owners notice this isnt her typical behavior. I'm sure she was used to a lot more love and attention before the baby......dont get me wrong I'm not saying they are bad owners but just one question......."Is your walk his primary form of exercise"?

Black Labbie I wouldnt be afraid to walk her, it sounds like she needs you and has some pent up energy. Just like humans, dogs can have off days. I'm not excusing her behavior but if you keep her on a short leash so she cant jump up and go for a strenous, tiring walk and take extra precautions to let her know who is boss I think it will be good for her.

Come on now, she's a dog and is only the way she is due to a humans fault, good or bad. If she sits at home day in and day out only to be walked by you once a day that is NOT enough for her. If her life revolves around the baby and she is ushered from room to room according to the baby's routine that means her life revolves around the baby. Can you blame her for going a little out of her mind and getting over excited when your around? This dog was bred for a job and lots of activity.

It may be that there is a medical problem that hasn't been discovered, but one thing is changing in that house ... the baby.

A 2 year old is a different beast than a newborn. My cats liked my daughter when she was a little baby. By 2, they hated her with a passion. The household dynamics of managing a dog and a 2 year old are different than those of managing a baby and a dog.

AuroraLove

"Is your walk his primary form of exercise"?

Yup, they hired me to come once a day for a 30-45 minute stay at the local dog park, off leash. I think the husband walks her in the morning, then she's inside or in the yard, then I come around noon, drop her off around 1, then I don't know what her day is like. The Mom is home all day though, but I don't know if she does anything with her.

 I don't know what testing they did at the vets...they just called me and said everything checked out and she has no pain anywhere. They're generally extremely caring people, she (Layla) is like their first "baby". I know they love her very much and wouldn't get rid of her, especially for something like this.

Dog_ma

It may be that there is a medical problem that hasn't been discovered, but one thing is changing in that house ... the baby.

A 2 year old is a different beast than a newborn. My cats liked my daughter when she was a little baby. By 2, they hated her with a passion. The household dynamics of managing a dog and a 2 year old are different than those of managing a baby and a dog.

I didn't even think of that....I don't have kids so I just figured a kid at any age is still a kid. I guess 2 year olds can be little monsters at times, hence the phrase "the terrible twos"...lol...

I dont want to come off like I'm insinuating this girl has bad life nor do I want to assume this is a typical case of "baby comes along, dog gets less attention" but thats what it sounds like.

She needs heart pumping action, a job to do or at the least more exercise and a refresher in obediance....its not asking nothing out of the ordinary or anything that any other dog wouldnt require. Gosh can you imagine if her days or filled with toddler hands grabbing at her fur, crying screams all hours of the day and now everytime a visitor comes over she gets shooed away so they can see the baby. Her main outlet is you for only 1 hour a day, again I'm making assumtions but a educated one. Look how bad older siblings lash out when a new baby comes, considering I'd say the dog has been fairly tolerant.

Is there anyway the owners of the dog could or would join the forum or read this post if we all offer ways to help the dog feel like part of the pack again? There are so many things even a toddler can do to help bond and gain authoirty over the dog. The first thing that needs to be addressed is the food aggression, this is SO easily done if they hand feed her for at least two weeks. After some refreshing of obediacne paired with more exercise and quality time the toddler can start giving the dog treats, brushing her daily with the help of mom or dad, monitoring water bowls and much more. It teaches the child responsibility, helps bond the child to the dog and teaches the dog that the child is higher in pack order.

Bottom line, its up to this family wether this situation has a happy outcome. The dog is only reacting to her surroundings and unfortunalty you were the trigger for excitment and got hurt.

I just don't get what has recently changed with the dog. She's 5 YEARS old...not even close to being a puppy. Their child is 2 YEARS old...so, the dog and the baby have been together for 2 years. And for 2 years everything has been fine...except the past month. She's been getting increasingly growly/nippy over food and toys. She's totally changed her behavior towards the Mom- and me. I've been walking her for a year, and have never ever had a single problem

And the dog went to the vet and was checked out healthy.  Hmmm...A 2 year old at home now?   That is a real fun age sometimes ; )    Wonder how it is going inside that home lately.    Lots of things will affect a dog.  If there is heightened stress, any kinds of disagreements that may be not routine. 

The bites should not be ignored or dismissed.  Perhaps a animal behaviorist could be employed to come to that home and help to evaluate and fix what ever is gone wrong there.  That is a young family.  Lots of issues come up around that period of time. Not to be ignored!

 Two year olds are AWFUL when it comes to animals. Very interested, very rough, and not old enough to fully understand their behavior.

Don't get me wrong, I love little kids, but I don't love the combination of a 2 year old and pets. Headache city. 

Willow gets really aggressive with her play and sometimes when she does a zoom she will start trying to jump up and nipping in play. Actually, I should say she's bitten me hard and broke skin on more than one occasion.  But, it's very obvious that she isn't acting in a mean way.  I think if the dog was just overly excited and playing roughly that BlackLabbie would of known that. 

willowchow

I think if the dog was just overly excited and playing roughly that BlackLabbie would of known that. 

Oh, I defiantly would know. My own lab did that nipping when I first got him, to stop it when he started nipping during play I would just stop playing an give him a couple minutes to calm down, then play again, today he doesn't even do it.

This mishap with Layla was just unusual because she wasn't playing or running or barking or anything really. She was just trotting next to me, I had nothing in my hands, she nipped my hand, I stopped walking and said "Layla no", and as soon as I said "no" she jumped up and nipped my face. It was like she was mad at me for saying "no", even though she has never ever been like that and it's really out of character for her. I've known the dog and family for a year, and Layla has been sweet as anything so I just don't know what got into her. She's not even a "mouther" when she gets excited nevermind "nipper".

I fear for this dog's life.  Not respecting the wife means that the dog is unlikely to respect the child.  That is likely to lead to injuries to the child.

Suggestions:

• Have a full thyroid panel done (the 6-way test for T3, T4, free T3, free T4, T3 autoantibodies, and T4 autoantibodies) by Michigan State University or Hemopet - even if there are no other symptoms of thyroid problems.
• Put the dog on a strict NILIF program with the wife assuming most of the dog's care.  Encourage the wife to handfeed the dog for two weeks.
• Find a doggie daycare program and put the dog in it once a week to burn off energy.
• Start a clicker training program to mentally exercise the dog.

Links on NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free program):

http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm
http://www.ozarkdogs.com/nilif.htm
http://www.ozarkdogs.com/boot_camp.htm
http://www.petresources.net/dogs/train/nilif.html 
http://www.greyhoundlist.org/nothing_is_free.htm
http://www.nomorehomelesspets.org/behavior/dog/nilif.htm
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nothingfree.htm

Clicker training sites:

http://www.clickertraining.com/
http://www.clickersolutions.com/
http://www.clickandtreat.com/
http://www.wagntrain.com/OC/GetStarted.htm
http://www.clickertrain.com/
http://www.clickerlessons.com/
http://www.clickertrainusa.com/

Suggested Books:

McConnell, Patricia, How to Be the Leader of the Pack ..., 1/1996
http://tinyurl.com/6qj2c

Tillman, Peggy, Clicking With Your Dog: Step by Step in Pictures, 9/2000
http://tinyurl.com/4gycw

Kilcommons, Brian, Childproofing Your Dog: A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog…, 4/1994
http://tinyurl.com/6hkj3

Pelar, Colleen, Living with Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind, 8/2005
http://tinyurl.com/2bb7mv

Donaldson, Jean, The Culture Clash, 1/1997
http://tinyurl.com/642uk

Not sure if you read my prior response, but you reinforced my first comment on this re. the 2 year old and this young family.

Perfect case in scenario:

"... "Layla no", and as soon as I said "no" she jumped up and nipped my face. It was like she was mad at me for saying "no", even though she has never ever been like that ..."

If you know something about developmental stages and two year old children, the word "no" takes on high signifigance.  Biting your face is the act of an animal on the edge.  Two year olds are not your average behaving baby, they are now a toddler.  Look up anything on child development and stages.  If this is not a key factor in this dog's obvious and abrupt behavior change, I will eat my hat.

Changes in that household need to be made or that dog may be simply just continue to get guided toward the more deadly bite - target, mom or child.  And it will be mom's and dad's fault. Period.  Sorry to seem harsh, but it is how I got through having dogs and it is responsibilities of parents to learn, understand, teach and set up safety for your own family.

Get them connected with a behaviorist , must be some who have had surges of problems and did not know how to deal with this, just like this family is experiencing.  Trouble is , sounds like there is dangerous denial going on there.

I missed it was a sudden change in behavior-if the dog's normal play style involved inappropriate biting, you'd have experienced it before-  it's either a health problem (did the vet run thyroid panels?  hip dysplasia pain often starts around age 5 too, and can only be diagnosed by x-rays?)  or yeah, the dog is stressed out by the toddler. Maybe you just avoid saying the word NO while walking the dog?  Bottom line, though, it's not your dog and you can't really "fix" whatever is going on in the household.

mudpuppy

 Bottom line, though, it's not your dog and you can't really "fix" whatever is going on in the household.

Exactly...I can give them the suggestions, but it's up to them to figure it out. I'm just their dog walker, so I mean, all I can do it give them this site, suggestions, MO, and thats it really. I can hope they do more tests (but I don't know what they had done already) and/or seek a good behaviorist. I just know this dog was a sweetie, and this totally was out of character.