Boxer_21
Boxer Insane
I don't even know where to begin. This incident happened several hours ago and I'm still shaky and basically in shock about the whole thing. Basically, Riley (my sweet boy who LOVES kids) bit one of my young cousins on the face and broke the skin which of course lead to bleeding. I'll do my best to give you the details without rambling on and on...
We had some relatives over for a BBQ this afternoon. My cousin Lynn and her significant other Dave came over with their four kids; Tyler (9), Brianna (8), Alyssa and Paige (5). My grandparents were also there along with one of my aunts (Lynn's mother). My aunt made a trip to the store before coming over and bought a bubble gun for each of the kids. The guns were tied to the box using those thick tie straps that you need a knife or scissors to cut. So, being the "happy helper" that I am, I ran inside to grab a pair of scissors to start cutting. I got the first gun out no problem, but then Riley decided that he wanted a closer look. I was afraid that I was going to cut him so I tried to lead him around me by using his collar. I very rarely use his collar to lead him around, but he never once hesitated or showed any signs of agitation when I've done it in the past. So, I thought nothing of it and proceeded to lead him around to go behind the bench I was sitting on (all of this was done as I was still sitting on the bench). The next thing I know, Riley jumped up, growled, and bit Alyssa (one of the 5 year olds) on the face leaving a cut just above her left eyebrow probably about a half inch.
To be perfectly honest with you, this all happened so fast that I had no clue what had happened. All I knew was that my sweet innocent Riley had turned on a kid something that he had never done before, something that he'd probably never even thought of doing before!! I was just at a loss. I had no idea what to do so I put him in the house alone for a while. After about a half hour went by I went in to check on him. He absolutely refused to make any eye contact with me. It almost looked like he was ashamed of himself for what he had done. Even after I called him a few times he still refused to look in my direction. I felt so helpless and so confused. I was shaking, scared, and I was crying. I honestly felt like I had failed as an owner. After all, a well behaved and well trained dog wouldn't do this right?? I just didn't know what to think. I still don't know what to think.
After I checked on Riley I went back outside and Lynn (Alyssa's mother) said that when I was trying to lead Riley around me, Alyssa had grabbed his collar from the other side. So basically, we were both pulling on opposite directions. Even for such a short period time (I didn't even notice Alyssa grabbing his collar that's how fast it all happened), apparently it was enough for Riley and he reacted. So, I don't know if it was the pulling from both of us in different directions that he was reacting to or maybe he was trying to protect the gun (thinking it was HIS toy) or even protecting me. I just don't know...
Luckily, Lynn is very understanding and just cleaned Alyssa up treating it as an accident. Alyssa was also a very brave girl because by the end of the night, she began to ask for Riley to come out. I kept Riley in the backyard or in the house away from the kids after it happened. Whether or not this is right, I let Riley outside again with us after Alyssa asked for him. I was very nervous about it, but I agreed (after Lynn said it was fine with her) to let him out with us again. Riley was much more gentle and cautious this time around. Alyssa asked to feed him some Cheese Nips so I allowed it. By the time everyone left, both Alyssa and Riley were acting fine with each other. It was as if nothing had ever happened.
I'm sure that this was just an isolated incident, but the fact is that it still happened and it scared the **** out of me. Riley who was once 100% trustworthy with kids now has a "record" that we need to watch out for. It really sucks to say the least.. We already had a vet's appointment set up for Tuesday @ 11am, so I'll definitely be mentioning this to the vet to see if they can check for anything that may be "off" with him. I'll let you know what and if they find anything.
- Mandy
We had some relatives over for a BBQ this afternoon. My cousin Lynn and her significant other Dave came over with their four kids; Tyler (9), Brianna (8), Alyssa and Paige (5). My grandparents were also there along with one of my aunts (Lynn's mother). My aunt made a trip to the store before coming over and bought a bubble gun for each of the kids. The guns were tied to the box using those thick tie straps that you need a knife or scissors to cut. So, being the "happy helper" that I am, I ran inside to grab a pair of scissors to start cutting. I got the first gun out no problem, but then Riley decided that he wanted a closer look. I was afraid that I was going to cut him so I tried to lead him around me by using his collar. I very rarely use his collar to lead him around, but he never once hesitated or showed any signs of agitation when I've done it in the past. So, I thought nothing of it and proceeded to lead him around to go behind the bench I was sitting on (all of this was done as I was still sitting on the bench). The next thing I know, Riley jumped up, growled, and bit Alyssa (one of the 5 year olds) on the face leaving a cut just above her left eyebrow probably about a half inch.
To be perfectly honest with you, this all happened so fast that I had no clue what had happened. All I knew was that my sweet innocent Riley had turned on a kid something that he had never done before, something that he'd probably never even thought of doing before!! I was just at a loss. I had no idea what to do so I put him in the house alone for a while. After about a half hour went by I went in to check on him. He absolutely refused to make any eye contact with me. It almost looked like he was ashamed of himself for what he had done. Even after I called him a few times he still refused to look in my direction. I felt so helpless and so confused. I was shaking, scared, and I was crying. I honestly felt like I had failed as an owner. After all, a well behaved and well trained dog wouldn't do this right?? I just didn't know what to think. I still don't know what to think.
After I checked on Riley I went back outside and Lynn (Alyssa's mother) said that when I was trying to lead Riley around me, Alyssa had grabbed his collar from the other side. So basically, we were both pulling on opposite directions. Even for such a short period time (I didn't even notice Alyssa grabbing his collar that's how fast it all happened), apparently it was enough for Riley and he reacted. So, I don't know if it was the pulling from both of us in different directions that he was reacting to or maybe he was trying to protect the gun (thinking it was HIS toy) or even protecting me. I just don't know...
Luckily, Lynn is very understanding and just cleaned Alyssa up treating it as an accident. Alyssa was also a very brave girl because by the end of the night, she began to ask for Riley to come out. I kept Riley in the backyard or in the house away from the kids after it happened. Whether or not this is right, I let Riley outside again with us after Alyssa asked for him. I was very nervous about it, but I agreed (after Lynn said it was fine with her) to let him out with us again. Riley was much more gentle and cautious this time around. Alyssa asked to feed him some Cheese Nips so I allowed it. By the time everyone left, both Alyssa and Riley were acting fine with each other. It was as if nothing had ever happened.
I'm sure that this was just an isolated incident, but the fact is that it still happened and it scared the **** out of me. Riley who was once 100% trustworthy with kids now has a "record" that we need to watch out for. It really sucks to say the least.. We already had a vet's appointment set up for Tuesday @ 11am, so I'll definitely be mentioning this to the vet to see if they can check for anything that may be "off" with him. I'll let you know what and if they find anything.
- Mandy
