Mastiff pup bit my son

[mollyhannah04]

Hi i'm afraid i am new to this and this is my first post. We recently purchased an English mastiff after reading that they are really laid back and good with children. He came to us 3 week ago at 10 weeks old. In the time we have had him he has been great he loves been center of the family and is so loving. At the moment he is very bitey when excited but he is just playing and we are dealing with that. When we took him for his first injection 2 week ago he was fine until the needle went in and then i am sure that he tried to snap at the vet. I just thought well if someone stuck a dirty great needle in my neck and i didn't know what for i think i would snap too. Since then there has been no problems. Tonight my 5 year old son tried lifting him from the sofa, he put his arms around his chest and lifted him as he did this i heard Winston growl and then snap at his face. There is a tiny puncture wound in the side of my sons nose. Just don't know what to think, is it that my son maybe hurt him, is this a bad sign, any of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated thank you

 

[ruthcatrin]

Have you ever had a dog before?

I'm very very sorry that your son was injured however a 5yr old shouldn't be handling a dog on his own much less a pup (and especially not picking one up in such a manner). Dogs have to be taught bit inhibition, and a 13 week old pup has no concept of it. Your son picked him up in a way that was highly uncomfortable for the pup and the pup expressed his displeasure.

 

[Doggyhelpplease]

What does your dog weight. I would think a 5 year old would have trouble lifting a pup of this breed and he probably hurt him under the arms.

 

[Smart_Family]

I'm sorry your son was hurt but yea he definitely shouldn't have been trying to lift the puppy.

 

[mollyhannah04]

Hi thank you for answering me, yes we have had a dog before we had a border collie who died of old age 2 years ago. I agree with everything you have said and never leave them alone. Winston had got on the sofa and my son just tried to lift him down i was there straight away but he had snapped by this time. We are trying to stop the play bititng at the moment as he does it when playing but he is starting to understand (sometimes)when we say no and he is doing so well he is learning so quickly with house training and everything. Like i say he is so loving and so loving with my son and everyone. i think it was that my son had tried picking him up and perhaps hurt him that this happened. I just wanted to know someone elses opinion and to see if anyone thought this was a bad sign or just our fault really.

 

[mollyhannah04]

Thank you for all your replies, yes he is a heavy dog and my son know not to try pick him up i think he just thought he would have a go when my back was turned and as you say probably hurt him under his arms, thank you

 

[mollyhannah04]

the pup probably weighs more than my son who does know not to pull him about or lift him. I think he thought he would just give it a go when my back was turned and as you say hurt him under his arms. Thank you for your reply

 

[angelbears]

I don't think at this point your pup is showing signs of aggression. I think you have learned a valuable lesson before something bad could have happened and I appreciate that you are willing to recognize the potential dangers.

Welcome to the forum. We would love to see pics!

 

[mx5055]

I agree with everything that everyone said above. However, and I know I will probably get flamed for this...but, it is strictly my own opinion and I alone am responsible for what I do or don't put out here. I would feel very badly if I didn't say something and things turned out badly. So here goes...puncture wounds are not to be taken lightly; especially involving a dog that has not had a rabies shot. Please understand I am not saying anything negative about your pup or your parenting...we have all been there. My concern at this point is only for your child. I know that if you take your child to the hospital they will probably be forced to submit a bite report on your pup...maybe not since the pup is so young. I honestly don't know, and I am not telling you what to do....just trying to bring something to your attention. I am sorry this happened; it sounds like you're a great mom and that the pup is coming along nicely in your family (I never put too much stock in how a dog reacts at the vets).

 

[mollyhannah04]

Hi yes lesson learned and thank you for your reply. I appreciate all the replies and Cindy no need to be flamed you have a valid point thank you also for your reply.

 

[ruthcatrin]

aaawww, cutie! I love the brindles!

 

[mollyhannah04]

Hi thank you for your reply and yes you are right lesson learned i think. I appreciate all the replies and Cindy no need to be flamed you have a valid point thank you. Here are a couple of pics of the little fellow one cuddled up to me which is his favorite place and the other in the garden, hope you like him.

 

[mollyhannah04]

sorry for posting twice i didn't think i had done the first one right x

 

[mx5055]

​He is gorgeous! I never thought I would like the dark brindles, but my 61/2 month old Cane Corso is a dark brindle like your pup and I fall more in love with this coloring everyday

 

[angelbears]

What a precious baby!

Just an FYI as far as rabies goes, it has been almost totally eradicated in the US. as far as dog transmissions to humans. Also, a pup should be under its mother's immunities. Each state and even county is different but all have laws pertaining to animal bites and most require doctors to report all bites. Which means your dog may be quarantined or even worse. I'm not saying to put your dog before your child but make sure the wound is serious enough to warrant medical attention before going to a doctor.

 

[stephanieb]

He is very cute!!

 

[mollyhannah04]

we are in the UK so we are ok for Rabies they just give tetanus jab after a dog bite but my son is covered so we are ok thanks for your reply x

 

[mollyhannah04]

The puncture wound is like a pin prick it is very tiny x

 

[mx5055]

Just to clarify, I am coming from the position of being a retired nurse, and felt obligated to say what I did. That aside, I think doing what you're doing is great. I am sorry you had this incident, but I am sure it was just the puppy being a puppy, and your child being a child. Great reminder for all of us

 

[mollyhannah04]

yes Cindy absolutely i understand why you said what you said and you was just thinking of my son, i thank you for that. Yes i fell you are right in what you say a puppy being a puppy and a child being a child. My son now understands why we say he should not pick him up. The puppy is heavier than my son and he must of hurt him trying to pick him up. Lesson learned i think, we had a good chat afterwards about how he should treat the dog and why and he seems to have taken it on board xx