The unimaginable happened tonight- Goldie bit Silverlyn

[Star and Goldie]

Before I tell my story let me start with this, I am ALWAYS ALWAYS very careful of Silverlyn and Goldie's interactions. They are ALWAYS supervised. They are NEVER left alone together, not even for a second. I preface with that because I feel so terrible about what happened tonight that I would expect some verbal lashings of someone indicating this is my fault...

Silverlyn and I built a tent in the living room. It started out as a great night. As she played in the tent I crawled out (because it's not a mom size friendly tent) and I sat at the opening- so YES I was right there when this next part happened... Goldie was laying about 3 feet away from the tent playing on the floor with some of her toys- being the super good puppy that she is.  Silverlyn crawled out of the opening of the tent and in less than 5 seconds had been bitten in the neck.

Silverlyn is almost 3 feet tall so as she was crawling out she came close to where Goldie was playing. Now, Goldie did NOT growl, she did NOT snap, she did NOT act possessive or like her space was being invaded or anything like that. What, in my opinion and from what I saw, believe that Goldie did not even know she bit Silverlyn. I really think Goldie just thought it was still her pile of toys.

It was a super quick nip and Silverlyn's reaction really startled Goldie and she had this 'oh no what did I do wrong look on her face'. But I was obviously more concerned about my daughter. I did not scold Goldie or anything because I knew it was an accident. I quickly swept Silverlyn up and rushed into the kitchen to put her on the counter for an exam.

Below is a picture of the bite. Even though it was an accident, Goldie got her on the worst imaginable place- the neck. Silverlyn only cried for about 45 seconds (this happened over an hour ago and I'm STILL crying). I doctored her all up and she seems to be fine but momma is NOT fine.

I keep trying to tell myself that it wasn't my fault and that there wasn't anything I could do to prevent it but the fact that it drew blood like that just has my mind all over the place. I really hope that this doesn't build a fear up in Silverlyn. I'm hoping the fact that she only cried for 45 seconds means she'll bounce back quickly.

I feel like I did the right thing by not scolding or recognizing bad behavior from Goldie since I truly believe she just thought she was still playing with her toys.

It was all just bad timing that lead to a bad accident that could have certainly been a lot worse. I'm glad the household is calm right now. As I type this Goldie is laying at my feet chewing on a toy and Goldie is playing a game on my phone- both seem like nothing even just happened.

So is it just me that will have a hard time forgetting this???

[Star and Goldie]

I love the idea of showing her one of those videos! If she brings it up tomorrow (because I'm sure not) I will definitely do that. Great idea:)

[Star and Goldie]

Thanks guys. Just one thing I wanted to make clear, Goldie is not allowed on the bed or couch and doesn't cross that boundary and Silverlyn doesn't play on the floor. I am VERY careful in this department. There was no choice but for her to 'crawl' to get out of the tent. She wasn't crawling to play. The opening to the tent is about 1.5 ft tall, impossible to walk out of.
Good news, Goldie and Silverlyn were back to their normal selves shortly after I wrote the blog. Hugs and kisses were still just as plentiful. I asked Silverlyn at bed time if she wanted to give Goldie a kiss goodnight since I knew that would be the true test of whether or not that incident made her scared for any reason and she said "of course! I have to tell my favorite puppy to have super sweet puppy dreams" aaaahhhh what a relief!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with F as well. I think you were more shook up about this than the other two parties, lol. I doubt that Silverlyn will be afraid of dogs as a result. I would tell her that's how puppies play with their brothers and sisters, they nip at each other, and when Goldie saw her crawling on the floor towards her, she thought she was playing like puppies do and responded. There are all kinds of videos on-line of litters of puppies play-nipping each other, maybe you could show her one. Be silly about it..."Isn't that funny, Goldie thought you were a puppy too!"

And the puppy has probably forgotten it by now.

It happens, nothing to feel guilty about. You couldn't have foreseen it. I do agree with F that it's probably a good idea to keep your DD from crawling on the floor near where the puppy is sleeping, eating or playing, though.

I'm hoping you're all feeling better after a good night's sleep. :)

[DJ & Chance]

Puppies have razor sharp teeth, and I had at least a dozen random nicks on my fingers from playing with Chance when he was in the early puppy nipping stage.  He eventually learned that mom's fingers aren't for chewing.  Meanwhile, I agree with the advice that F gave to you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I hope it is just you. The bite looks very minor and puppies do nip, whether accidentally or not. I guess I would not encourage any kind of play where your daughter's head and face are anywhere near the puppy's teeth. That would mean no crawling or laying on the floor for Silverlyn and no puppy on the bed or couch.

[Adina P]

Star, by the way you've described it, it does indeed sound like a random accident.  But I can totally see how you'd feel the way you're feeling, I probably would be feeling the same too.  It sounds like Silverlyn has recovered, so that's good!