My 9 month old American Bulldog attacked a child!

[waylalynne]

My 9 month old American Bulldog attacked a child in my home last week. We had just moved into our new house, in another state. My step-children had just arrived, my children went to visit their dad. My pup has never lived with my hubby, only me and my children. So all these changes and then.......My step-son and his new friend from next door ran into the house and the dog lost it. (I was upstairs when this happened). The boys ran into and through the house and the pup jumped on the boy and knocked him over( the kid is probably about 100 pounds), ripped his tummy open right above his groin area(1 1/2 inch gash- looks like a fish hook) and then punctured his left upper arm four times-one bite. The marks on his arm are as big as the top of a flat silver thumb tack. The poor kid. The child was put on antibiotics, not given sutures even though he needed them because of the chance of infection. I have offerd to pay all the expenses that the family has incured, I've appologized up and down and I've cried as much as the child. I'm just devestated that my girl would do this. Animal control came out and then the dog was lunging for her!! I'm so lucky they didn't haul her off right then and there. Pup was put in quarantine in my home for 10 days. I've kept her in the laundry room and only taken her out on the leash to go to the restroom. All her shots were up to date. The pup saw the vet today so she could be released out of quarantine. The vet saw her.....my pup wanted to eat him too! I had her muzzeled and used a choker/pincher colar and she was still freaking out. My pup was scared and shaking. So the vet starts talking to me about putting her to sleep.........if she doesn't start changing her behavior. So he writes on the form to be faxed for Animal control that dog is aggressive, and shaking and scared. I explained to him, that only as a LAST resort would I ever do that. of course i never want her to bite anyone. I've hired an aggression/behavior trainer to come out and work with her at our home over the next 4 months-$700. This trainer works with dogs that have bitten and are aggressive. I never really considered the pup aggressive until last Monday. She really is a sweetie! Training starts tomorrow. I called the trainer the night of the incident (9:30 at night) and she talked to me for almost 30 mins...

Now that I look back, she doesn't listen all the time, she runs off when I'm trying to get her to come in the house- She won't come often either. She barks a lot and growls strongly is she sees someone she doesn't know. If the front door is open she will take off running.

Is there hope for her? I am very attached to her; however, I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to get her the right training, to become the pack leader and change whatever it is that I've been doing wrong with her. Any thoughts or suggestions?

The pup is female, is almost 9 months, about 55 pounds, all white with blue eyes.......The vet was wondering about her thyroid? Said that if the function was low it could cause aggression. Tests will be back tomorrow.

Thanks for you help!

[Aru]

Your dog is dangerous..shes already attacked one child and has shown aggression towards other people..and you said she dosent have good recall and often runs off when your trying to get her to come...american bulldogs are lovely dogs but there big and they can do a lot of damage as im sure you now know.The next kid or adult who falls foul of your dog mite not be as lucky as the last one.Be a responsible owner put your dog down.

[Lyka_01]

That's right...If you can't teach her the proper behavior you will be in trouble...Big dog is not easy to control unless it is better trained...

[melody]

It's really sad to hear these kinds of story because people are being torn apart from wanting to care for a pet versus wanting to protect loved ones. But for me, if you learn to do everything with balance and just be responsible enough to give the proper training and precautionary measures, there should be no problems or tragic things happening like these.

[CrazyBastid]

Well since it`s the american bulldog your first response was put the dog down. if it was a little dog they dont say anything about putting them down. I`d start getting the dog use to people being around people now And start getting it use to alot of other dogs! (Social Behavior) The Dogs needs alot of attention And about a 45 minute walk everyday. You need to get the dog the right training and if that doesnt work u need to contact an American Bulldog Organization and see if they will take it Everybody deserves second chances even dogs.

I`m not saying the other post are wrong or right It all starts with the Owners but if your not going get the training or work with the dog maybe putting the dog down is best!

i`m the pround owner of 2 American Pit Bulls Moby & Harley

[melody]

Crazybastid, may I ask what you exactly mean when you say put the dog down?

[Lyka_01]

Originally Posted by melody

Crazybastid, may I ask what you exactly mean when you say put the dog down?

Yeah same question...
Anyway...You got the point there...
Dogs needs a lot of attention...
And right training is very necessary...

[melody]

I also want to point out that dogs should not be treated as some kind of decorations like what some dog owners do. It's alright to parade our adorable pets but be responsible enough to train them or get someone who can, so they won't pose any risks to anyone at anytime.

[CrazyBastid]

Putting the dog down from what i understand is taking it to the vet putting him/her to sleep! (killing the dog)

[DutchShepherdPerson]

American Bull Dog is a very powerful breed with very high prey drive , if you are gonna own such a power full breed you need to get committed to the training and the also the vigilance required when owning such a breed. We owned a bull/pitt mix ( adopted for 4 months) and we decided to give her back because she was a little skittish, a little to overprotective and we have kids running in and out of the house and i knew that your situation could have one day been mine. If your not willing to take the extra precautions with an extra powerfull breed, then get rid of it .

Truly me