Hello,

Hello!

Sorry about that- I am new to posting on this website.

Recently, my six year old blue heeler female has bitten an eight year old child. She has worked cattle up until the last year. Needless to say, she has high prey drive and is tough as nails. She has also been socialized and had not attempted to bite children in the past.

She was contained in a 10X10 dog pen at the time. The child climbed into the pen with her because the gate was locked. Luckily, she did not break the skin. This happened out of my sight. By the time I had returned from a bathroom break, the children had already unlocked the back door and went to play in the yard. It is a rule in my home to only play with the dogs if there is an adult present. The children were not supposed to even be in the yard. This took place in less than five minutes.

The child has a bruise and is frightened. There are so many reasons as to why this has happened. I would like some insight from others to prevent this from happening again- aside from better supervision of the children.

Any helpful, but not hateful advice?

I don't see any need for hatefulness, and welcome to the forum.

Two things might help... a latch chain on your inside doors high enough that the children can't reach (obviously they could pull a chair over but it will slow them down) and I would have a fence company come and install a "ceiling" on the kennel. By welding a bar across the top it will support the weight and prevent anything from getting in or out.

Do you run a day care at home?

Thank you for the advice.

The door locks are already in place, and I will definitely install a top on the kennel. I have also thought about putting the dog on a treadmill at least once a day to spend some of her energy. However, I am not sure how long I should let her work. How much is too much. She is a very tough dog and has a ton of energy. I think she could put a working Border Collie to shame.

I do not run a day care, but I was responsible for watching my younger brother and his cousin that day. They are both very active children.

In all seriousness, you need to focus on the kid. She needs to know just how stupid that was. She's lucky all she got was a bruise.

If you think your dog is not getting enough work/exercise then absolutely beef that up - even if she had NOT bitten the child. Her needs must be met just like your's and mine. Have you considered doing any sport work with her - agility perhaps? I don't use a treadmill so I can't advise on that, perhaps someone who does will see your post and chime in. Best of luck!

Elissa:I put my Cody on the treadmill. I first trained him to go on it so he would like it. First every time he touched the treadmill he was rewarded, then when he stood, then when he stayed on when it moved. I started off small and didn't let him stay on more than 5 minutes and then build from there. I did not want Cody to overwork his body, but gradually built it up. Now I say "treadmill" he is on it like a flash. Soon your pup will love it! My cody has tons of energy too, and I have found that walking him, playing out in the yard and the treadmil don't really tire him out, he just warms up, but it does give them something constructive to do. And that help his mind and temperment. Dogs need something to do each day.
May the Lord bless you and your dog.

Not the dogs fault.
An eight year old child is old enough to know better.
Now the child knows, just like when he learned to listen when you said it's hot.
If the child wants to learn how to play with the dog, he just learned his first important lesson.

I wouldn't even bother to put a lid on the kennel inless I wanted to get the dog some shade.

She is lucky that is wasn't any worse than it was.

My son just turned 9 and he darn well knows better than to do something like that. If he was to get bit my first question would be "What did you do to the dog" especially if the dog has no history of aggression.
Actually he did recently get nipped, by a little chihuahua and that was my first question, and after his answer a valid one!

Can you join a herding club in your area so your dog can go back to having at least a part time job?

Edited by Jennifer Lee (08/31/2010 09:37 AM)
Edit reason: multiple typos!