Well for anyone who might be interested in an update I had a trainer by the name of Vicki Kudla come and evaluate Molly. She was here for an hour and a half and we talked during that time about what happened and how to keep it from happening again. In the meantime she said she had the appearance of a very well behaved and obedient dog and said that really we didn't even 'need' basic OB outside of for socialization purpose's. She also said that she has potential (or appears to) to be a therapy dog. None of us are pleased that this incident transpired however my daughter has seemed to have learned her lesson and no longer aggitates the dog and Molly is of course NEVER left alone w/ any child and isn't even allowed in small spaces (like our kitchen) even when I'm there. She's learned to stay at the top/bottom of stairs until the PERSON gets down the stairs and isn't allowed to burst through doorways ahead of ppl anymore. She's learning the 'behind' command (thank you leerburg for that one) and we're comfortable for the time being with the situation. Thank you everyone for your time and advice.

One day, 10 months from now, your guard will be back down and the chances of your dog biting again are high. Once a dog bites and draws blood, they're never to be trusted.

My uncle euthanized his LAB for attacking another dog because of the proof of the statement, "once a dog draws blood, they're never to be trusted." A semi stable dog will at least give a warning (growl), not a straight out attack. I would still find her a new home.

 Quote: Cari Hanson

Once a dog bites and draws blood, they're never to be trusted.

Are you actually being serious?

do you have proof it's not true? I've seen dogs that bite for no apparent reason, they always end up biting again for no apparent reason. Would you want to put your child at risk, I wouldn't? The safety of a child comes first regardless what the child did. If, in fact the child did do something to the dog that provoked it, it will surely happen again. The child is too young to know better. I have four kids, and know it's awfully hard to be in the same room at all times.

I dont think that the saying that once a "dog bites and draws blood, it will never be trusted" is very accurate. besides, it doesnt really apply here; if we are talking about biting "for no reason". Usually there is a reason, dogs arent as irrational as humans.

Of course there's a reason, but nobody knows what that reason is to prevent it. The child could have done something, or the dog was irritated, or just irritable. I'm saying that if it happened once for no known reason, it's probably likely to happen again. There's nobody to know what to watch out for.

 Quote: cari hanson

I have four kids, and know it's awfully hard to be in the same room at all times.

All the more reason to use a crate or keep the dog with you in whatever room you are in.
Not to mention teaching children to have respect for dogs and to leave them alone when they are eating, in their crate, sleeping or when they have a toy or something that was given to them to chew on.

There is NO reason this dog cannot stay with her family. And it sounds like the OP is on the right track and willing to do what is needed to minimize or stopping the dog from ever biting again.

The statement of "once a dog bites, it can never be trusted" is like the other saying of "raw meat makes dogs bloodthirsty". Totally disagree with both of those.

 Quote: cari hanson

Of course there's a reason, but nobody knows what that reason is to prevent it. The child could have done something, or the dog was irritated, or just irritable. I'm saying that if it happened once for no known reason, it's probably likely to happen again. There's nobody to know what to watch out for.

If nobody knows what the reason is that this "hypothetical" dog bit someone, then they are not paying attention. Your point here that this is bound to happen again is about as deep a statement as saying if I jump in front of a bus I am going to end up sore tomorrow.

Duh! If your dog bit someone, and you truely can't figure it out, I would say the first step is to reevaluate how you are living with your dog. The child didn't do something wrong, the dog didn't do something wrong, you did!...hypothetically, of course!

The time I was bit, I was a little kid, and this tiny dog growled and bit me. I cannot remember if I provoked the dog or not, but who cares? I am just a kid, I can't be trusted to be alone with the dog, and he can't be alone with me. It is the owner's responsibility to control the dog!

So, for you to say that nobody can know the reason this happened, let me just tell you, this is the reason: the dog was not under control. And then when the dog bit someone, nothing was changed to remedy the situation.

I also disgaree with that statement. A dog does not need to draw blood in order to make it bite again - the reasons must be addressed. You are correct in that (and Rick pointed it out) that if you don't know why the dog bit someone then it will be very likely to do it again.

BUT Dogs NEVER bite without reason. EVER. Rabies is a reason. Brain damage is a reason. Mistreatment/pain/illness is a reason. Well rather these are causes - there is always a match to light the fire and is more than likely the human factor. Dogs can bite from lashing out while frustrated, dogs can bite if fearful and feeling they are fending for their life. I could go on and on and on.

And it does not require a PhD to understand why a dog bit someone in a certain situation. Many factors go into dog bites.

If someone cannot see the reason that a dog bit someone, they should rehome the dog NOT put it down or shoot it. Chances are they should not own dogs because it will happen again - why? not because dogs are psycho, but because the owners don't understand drives or basic canine body language.

Dogs can't say "I'm going to bite you if you do _____" in English. They do exhibit body language and "tell tale" signs, vocal and non vocal warnings.

Saying dogs bite for no reason is like saying they chase a ball for no reason. Some people may think it's just what dogs do, when in reality there are natural traits and behaviors involved that are relatively easy to understand.