I am so glad it was his leg and not his face!
I took Benny (and his bike) with me to the dog trainer, and told her what happened, showed her wounds as well. She talked to Benny, let him tell her what happened in his own words, to see if he was scared of Kimmy now. I don't know if my son is exceptionally brave or exceptionally dumb, but he said he forgave Kimmy for biting him and wanted to play with her again.
Then the trainer suggested controlled situation role playing so she can see for herself how Kimmy behaves around Benny on a bike. So we went out and Benny rode his bike around and the trainer had Kimmy on the leash, and at first Kimmy barked and strained to get to Benny, so the trainer distracted her and rewarded her with treats for staying calm, gradually the calmer moments got longer and longer, until Kimmy was able to stand right beside Benny on the bike and just look.
The trainer says that in her opinion the stress from yesterday's dog show affected Kimmy in such a way that she overreacted today. And that when Benny fell off the bike, she reacted as if he were a prey, that means, she bit into him.
She thinks this biting incident could be classed as "accident", she doesn't think Kimmy intentionally wanted to hurt him.
When we were back inside, Kimmy put her head on Benny's lap as he sat in the chair, and he stroke her ears, and she licked his hand. I looked at this and thought what the hell was she thinking earlier today, biting into him like that.
Then the trainer suggested controlled situation role playing so she can see for herself how Kimmy behaves around Benny on a bike. So we went out and Benny rode his bike around and the trainer had Kimmy on the leash, and at first Kimmy barked and strained to get to Benny, so the trainer distracted her and rewarded her with treats for staying calm, gradually the calmer moments got longer and longer, until Kimmy was able to stand right beside Benny on the bike and just look.
The trainer says that in her opinion the stress from yesterday's dog show affected Kimmy in such a way that she overreacted today. And that when Benny fell off the bike, she reacted as if he were a prey, that means, she bit into him.
She thinks this biting incident could be classed as "accident", she doesn't think Kimmy intentionally wanted to hurt him.
When we were back inside, Kimmy put her head on Benny's lap as he sat in the chair, and he stroke her ears, and she licked his hand. I looked at this and thought what the hell was she thinking earlier today, biting into him like that.
3 Comments:
At 9:47 PM,
PeachBellini said…
Oh Katie *hugs* I wanted to email you but I'm having severe net probs and can't get into my mail. How is Benny now? He's not just exceptionally brave but also exceptionally kind to have forgiven kimmy, in his words. It says a lot about Benny. Oh I so hope he's not badly hurt *hugs*
At 9:47 AM,
Katie said…
I am just shocked and heartbroken. How could Kimmy do this to me? :(
At 2:50 AM,
worker Aunt said…
Katie - in my professional opinion, those wounds should heal nicely, as long as you keep them clean. Once they scab over, don't bother with a bandage, as air helps the healing process.
I'm so sorry this happened - I know how attached you and Benny and Gerry are to Kimmy. What an awful, agonizing choice to make!
(I'm Paradox149/Auntie A)
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