My 5 year old Chocolate Lab bit a kid while we were hiking today. Need advice!?

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azcanchita

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I was hiking and my 5 yr. old chocolate lab (adopted a year ago), female, spayed, bit a boy on the back. We past kids on the trail, my dad was holding her leash and she turned around and jumped up and bit him on the mid to upper back. She didn't growl, bark or lunge at him, she kind of gently jumped up next to him and bit him. He was an overweight kid so she probably grabbed more skin than if it was a skinny kid, but she just barely broke the skin. It mostly caused a bruise and very, very minimal bleeding. This is NOT characteristic of this dog. She just played "Sandy" in the musical Annie at a local school and has had hundreds of kids around her all week. FYI - I also have a Miniature Pinscher (9 years old) who was with us on the hike. Please help and offer suggestions! I am willing to do obedience training, but, like I said she's very calm-mannered and well behaved.
The boy's parents weren't very upset and didn't get my name for Animal Control so please don't tell me that I'm going to court or something.
The boy was walking totally normal. Not running, not being loud, nothing. The boy was with a group of kids and she didn't do anything to any of the other kids.
 
You adopted her a year ago. Perhaps something about the overweight kid brought back a bad memory? If she didn't bark or lunge she wasn't mad. She may have been trying to play and, since he was overweight, bit skin when she was trying to bite his shirt.

Any kind of bite isn't good though. Especiall from a Lab. They are gentle, loving, wonderful people dogs. Could be she's just tired of kids. :)

I'd find out if the kids parents are planning on suing you first. Either way, you need to take her to obedience classes and get her more socialized with different kinds of people.
 
Was the child running or throwing something? It appears that you were too close to the child and not moving fast enough for him to be focused on his running. Maybe you should us a muzzle when jogging with this dog. He is apparently unpredictable. Once a dog bites with no consequences, he'll do it again.
 
Look up Cesar Millan...The Dog Whisperer on line and watch his show on Nat'l Geographic!! You have a very serious problem!
 
i think she was protecting the smaller dog and you, i think she saw the boy as a threat, i don't think you need to worry if it was just a small puncture wound. was it a hot day or was the dog overheated? because if it was then it wasn't even the dog's fault, dog's brains swell in the heat and make them more likely to bite or act out of character.
 
Was the kid walking funny or being loud? Sometimes people who act differently can startle dogs. Such as when I'm running, I've had some dog nip at my shoes and bite my pants legs. Also when I skateboard, there have been times where dogs have chased me down.

This behavior can be controlled. Explain the situation to a trainer, who would probably tell you to socialize the dog more and go over some basic commands such as "heel". Avoid trainers who use all positive methods or all force methods.
 
was the kid at the edge of the mountain? maybe she was trying to protect him from falling if he was.
 
Best to attend obedience school.

Do not be surprised if you get a visit from animal control as the dog will have to be held 10 days for rabies observation if reported.
 
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