I desperately need advice/ideas of what I can do with our family pet dachshund, Cooper. Cooper is two years old and has been wonderful with our kids aged 2, 3 and 6. He has never so much as growled at one although young children can be rough with animals. However, today my oldest daughter had a friend over and when the friend walked through the door, he ran over and bit her on the leg, leaving a bad bruise. Fortunately, my husband caught him before he could do anything more. What, if anything, can we do?? We could crate him when friends are over, but the problem is that we have kids running through our house all the time with no warning. My oldest is worried that she's going to lose Cooper, who sleeps with her and is her best friend. I just don't understand why a dog (who has let my daughter put onesies and jams on him) would attack a child like that.
Does anyone here have experience with a dog who has done this? I plan to call our vet tomorrow to see if he has any ideas. Otherwise, I worry that we'll have to find a new home with no kids that would run in and out.
I appreciate any ideas/advice.
Stephanie
