Cross Breeds

My son was bit by a pitbull, and now he's afraid of dogs. Anything that can be done?

A few weeks ago, my eight year old son was bit pretty badly by a pitbull. Physically he's fine now. However, it's left him very afraid of dogs. He even freaks out sometimes if we pass one on the street, particularly large dogs. Any advice?

Public Comments

1. Teach him that freaking out around dogs can cause a dog to attack. Is there anyone you know with a large dog? Have him spend time with that dog, and relearn how to act around them. You can also tell him I was bit by a Chihuahua.
2. well take him to a pitbull rescue in your area, introduce him to tons of pitbulls, ahve them explain that its the owners fault for them being aggressive, and all of that, also get a puppy for the family, a large breed, like a lab, then gradually he will love dogs
3. Take small steps. It's very terrifying for a child after they've been injured by a dog. When I was young a dog cut open the back of my hand by accident, and after that I was afraid of dogs for years. Do you have any friends that have a calm, small dog? See if you could have the two of them together for a while. Don't make your child go any closer than he wants to. Point out how nice the dog is, how he never bit anyone. Try to talk him into petting the dog. Pet the dog as an example, say how nice it feels, how nice the dog is. Your son might still be afraid, but the first goal is to get him to pet the dog. Maybe pick it up and hold it so that your son doesn't have to worry about getting bitten. Let your kid go at his own pace. Some children never get over this, some do. If you can get him to pet the dog, it'll all go on after that. I love dogs today, and I'm never afraid that one will bite me.
4. GIVE HIM TIME TO HEAL. IT WILL BE VERY HARD FOR HIM FOR A LONG TIME. WHEN HE IS READY TRY LETTING HIM HOLD A PUPPY. I WAS BITTEN BY A GERMAN SHEPHERD. IT TAKES TIME AND BE PATIENT WITH HIM. HE HAS A REAL FEAR AND IT WILL TAKE TIME. START WITH PUPPIES FROM A GENTLE BREED MAYBE IT WILL HELP. JUST BE PATIENT WITH HIM AND DON'T FORCE TRYING TO "GET OVER THE FEAR". IT WILL TAKE TIME.
5. He'll probably get over it eventually it will just take time. But you can try encouraging him to not be afraid of dogs in a constructive manner. For example, you if a dog comes up to you and wants to play you could pet it and encourage your son to pet it too. Since your with him it would help keep him calm rather than fearful. But don't force it if he just continually says no then just say OK and try again later. He'll overcome the fear on his own terms, just try to encourage him when you can. Lots of kids are afraid of dogs at some point of their childhood and grow out of it.
6. A similar thing happened to my sister. Altough she was never comfortable around dogs, being bitten by one changed her opinion of them. First off, was he comfortable with dogs BEFORE the incident? Or has he been a bit uncomfortable with him before this? I would try to explain to him that not all dogs are like this, and maybe then you should have talk to him about buying a family-oriented dog like a Golden Retriever.
7. Dont push him or he will get even more scared...was the dog a stray? try to do it slowly..do you have a friend or relative that has a dog? try to get the kid fond of that dog..then maybe he will be fond of other dogs... it might take a while for him to clear out of dog phobia..but hey... i was bit by a Golden Retriever dog and a Chow mix dog... and i still love dogs!!!
8. I know this can be a traumatic experience for an 8 year old boy. When i was five years old i was bit by a bull dog and I was petrified of dogs for a long time. One thing you can do is take him to an animal shelter. ask the volunteers if they can bring out an older, smaller, more gentler dog. Make sure they dont bring out playful puppies. They are cute and small, but they can sometimes play too rough, thus giving your son the wrong impression. Encourage him to pet the dog and ask questions. He might learn something in the process. make it fun. as time goes by, he should be able to pet playful puppies and maybe even another pit bull. If you have friends that have dogs, ask them to bring it over sometime. Your son will get used to being around others dogs. It could take a long time for him to fully heal. Your son may always have a memory of the attack, but you also want him to be able to see a dog and ask if he can pet it.
9. Give him time to emotionally heal. I would start him off with very young very furry puppies. (cute & cuddley 6-8 weeks) Find out if the shelter has a puppy area where there are no big dogs for him to see and just have look at the puppies, keep it short adn then go home. Repete this several times and if HE asks if he can pet a puppy then have only 1 taken out and go from there. Then as he gets more comfortable over time see the less furry puppies until ALL puppies are cute. Go to the next lever Next level could be older puppies 9-12 weeks at this age then can start teething and make sure your son knows what teething is so it doesn't scare him! Continue to work up to adult dogs if he is ready for that, it could take a VERY LONG time to do depending you both of you. Don't push him. sorry your son got bitten Good luck
10. Take him to see a small lap (or as I like to call yap :-) ) dog first, hold on to the collar or on a leash to give your son some security. let him pet and play with him for a while every few days and then find a bigger dog and do the same thing. Then go bigger and bigger until his fear goes away. Make sure he doesn't freak out because that's the worst thing that can happen. I know you don't own an animal shelter but just try to borrow dogs small and large in that order.
11. buy a pit pup