Then today happens.... Grey and I were home all day, cleaning, organizing, playing, vacumming etc. we took a load of trash to the garage and then came back up stairs. Chopper was waiting for us at the screen as he always does. We opened the door, Chopper backed away, Grey walked in then me, Grey headed towards my room and I headed into the kitchen... within seconds I hear a thud and Grey is bawling. I run towards him and he is holding his cheek. Well the dog got him again!!! What the heck... I was so mad, and so emotional for Grey. We cried together. So Grey has a battle wound on his cheek and right in front of his ear. I immediately call Geoff and tell him we have to get rid of the dog... I was a little hysterical. I calm both myself and Grey down and we decide to leave the house and the dog and go visit my mom. On my way to see my mom I call the vet. The only thing different with Chopper's routine is I just gave him a new heartworm medication... I didn't know if there are aggression side affects. There aren't. The vet was so nice though and we chatted for about 1o minutes. I felt so much better after talking to her. She has been in the field for over 22 years and said that isn't uncommen for some breeds of dog to start becoming defensive when a child in the house is going through a developmental change. i.e. Greyson being more active and far more vocal with Chopper. She brought to my attention that it isn't like Grey and Chopper are new to each other. They've been together for 3 years. What it possibly is is that Chopper is being stimulated by Greyson's verbally and isn't used to having more then just Geoff and I "yelling" at him. This can cause a dog to become hyper-sensitive, therefore putting Chopper on the defensive. She also brought to my attention if a dog wanted to "hurt" a child it wouldn't let go when it bit. Chopper was sending warnings to Greyson by snipping and then releasing. So she suggests not getting rid of Chopper rather become very aware of certain behavorial signs Chopper is giving off that show distress. Also, keep the two of them in sight with Geoff or myself (the alpha dogs) in the room. It is probably just a quick stage that Chopper has the get through... she also said that Chopper can definitely sense that I am pregnant and that can also be adding onto his stress. So we are going to be super watchful and I have really talked to Grey all day about approaching Chopper right now by saying" hi Chopper." Not just walking or running straight at him. Big sigh... I'm exhausted and so sad that my little man has been hurt twice, but our vet assured me she is confidant this will pass. So below is his battle scars... you can see the first scratch right infront of his ear and then todays big one on his cheek.
