Today we went round to a friends house with Amber and one of our friends kids came to say hello to her just stroked her not in her face or anything and Amber went for her snapped and marked her face. Normally shes fine with kids and wags her tail at them. Shes growled at strangers before and can be very dominate over Gyp one of my other dogs we've had quite a few problems with her due to being unsocialised as a puppy, Our friends have said they dont wantAmber put down and have left it up to us to do what ever with her. Im not sure what to do she just seems to be getting worse as she gets older. Do i re-home her have her PTS see a behaviourist, i dont know its all been a bit of a shock

How horrible for you all. Just a couple of thoughts - get the vet to check for any health problems, is she coming into season, what happened just before the child approached Amber? All I can do is sympathise with you, and the child who has had a terrifying experience. The actual decision will have to be made after all the checks are carried out, but I wouldnt think rehoming was an option if she's bitten. You'll also need advice on keeping others safe in future. If you have children of your own, or visiting often this may influence your decision. Im so sorry youre goiing through this.

Some children seem to set some dogs off - my youngest is one of them, and my friends youngest does it too - in dogs normally 100%.  We have tried to teach the children the best way to approach a dog (sideways, not looking at it directly, stroking under the chin not the top of the head or shouldars etc) and it appears to be working.

I agree that some kids can set dogs off. You are probably a bit shocked at the moment. If it was my dog i would get a vet check to rule out health problems and then speak to a reputable behaviourist. It may be that the dog can be desensitised to children. BCs aren't always the best dogs with kids because they can get very wound up. If you are in Kent by any chance contact Carol Price who is a BC behaviourist  She is on the www.ukrcb.co.uk list

Lindsay
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I don't mean to sound harsh but if it was me i know what i would do. The child has been bitten in the face, there is no excuse. I too sympathise with you it must be an awful situation but if your dog is unpredictable around children then something has to be done before something more serious happens.

We have taken the desition to re-home her to a non child home. As we do get children coming into our house and we cant lock her up every time children are round, its just to much of a risk if a child came in contact with her. I think she might benefit from being a only dog and hopefully she'll find a home with people willing to work with her, Im going to miss her but all the family have decided its for the best.

Sorry, but I think you need to think very carefully here. What is a "non-child home"? There are probably very few homes that will never have a child visiting - and people's circumstances change. Adult offspring, even nieces and nephews, may start to produce children and will want to visit...Also, everyone's likely to meet children when they take the dog out and about. I remember taking our previous dog, a rescue, to the vet shortly after we got him. A young child of about 2 suddenly threw her arms around him! Fortunately he was fine with kids, but it could have been different. Please consider whether it's really fair to pass a problem like this on to other people.
Cathy.

Rescue centres sometimes have dogs that need to be rehomed to a home without children so in a way it's similar to that. It's not impossible for a dog to not meet children. Also it can be trained to wear a muzzle when out or if something changes.
Lindsay
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I really don't think this is quite PTS proportions here. I think an adults only home is a very good idea., as Lindsay says it is not impossible to avoid children. Neither of my dogs are particularly comfortable around children other than my sisters and so i don't put then in the position where they feel they have no option but to snap. As you have said it is the first time this has happened and from what you say it seems the child wasn't badly injured. Collies unfortuantely do have a tendency to snap if uncomfortable. I do agree that perhaps a vets opinion needs to be sort.

So sorry to read this happened, I think it must be what most of us dread....

I've looked thru some of your previous posts, is Amber your 7 month old GSD pup? 

If so, she still is very young, and a good behaviourist may well be able to help out, I also agree that it is worth getting your vet to check there isn't any underlying problem. 

Yes shes my GSD we took her to the vet and they said theres nothing wrong they have done a blood test and we are waiting for that back, They advised re-homing her as she has drawn blood and with there being children around it might be the best thing.

If she is being rehomed, do try to ensure that her new owners work with her with a reputable behaviourist because as this young age she may even be turned around or at least greatly improved. Please don't leave things as they are because othewise she may get worse instead. Well done on the vet check, it may be the vet can recommend a suitable reputable behaviourist with experience of this problem. They should work on getting the dog to associate children with good things as then the actual emotions of the dog are being changed which is what works best.

Good luck
Lindsay
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I think a home without children is your best option, she is only seven months so there is time for improvement, but it would be a dangerous situation to have her in a family with young children.  She would probably be better in a home where she is the only dog so there is no competition.  However, I would place her with someone who has had dogs before.

Obviously the new owners must be aware of the problem so they can avoid the situation arising again.

Good Luck, it is never easy.
Sandra