Hi pointy, I'm a dog behaviorist, specializing in aggression education and breed ban laws, and if you wouldn't mind I'd like to add my two cents.
1) Children are the most common victim when it comes to dog bites. They have "jerkier" movements than adults and they are different in their approachestowards dogs. Both these things can be interpreted by a dog as a threat or a challenge. When the boy dropped his candy and bent over to pick it up from behind your dog, he inadvertantly "attacked" (at least according to your dog). The hindquarters of a dog are very vulnerable and a skittish dog is going to be especially cautious of an attack from behind. This, coupled with strangers, and the body language of children combined to equal a bad situation.
2) Haltis can be a wonderful tool for dogs with or without aggression. You provide your self with a quick reflex in which you can turn your dog's head into your body and away from where ever it's headed. They are not meant for every dog (like all training tools), but from what you have described, that seems like a good choice.
3) When a dog feels anxious in a situation, it is best not to coddle it. It's good to reassure your dog that the situation is safe, but especially with a fear biter (that's what you have now
), if you over do the reassurance, you provoke more anxiety, thus causing/increasing biting. I'm not saying this is what you did (most of this is done through tone of voice and I obviously can't hear you through the computer) I'm just tring to break down the situation and look for possiblities.
4) I don't know where you live, but all places will have their own laws as far as biting. Many of these have correlations with breed. For example, if a golden retriever mauled someone, they may get a second chance, but if one of my dobies or rotts snaps at the same person, in some areas they can be destroyed on site. If you want to give me your location, I can give you more info on what you'd be looking at (If you're in the US) Is your dog current on vaccinations? Even though the skin didn't break, that could be a major factor should any more come of this.
5) If I were you...I would call your local animal control and discuss the situation along with offering a list of references who can testify to this being out of character for your dog. Unless your dog is a pit bull, or one of the other "killer breeds" (no offense to anyone, all four of my dogs are so-called killers), you probably have little to worry about as far as keeping your dog goes. The MOST I would see happening would be maybe a ticket. This would be your best bet for finding the parents because I would assume they reported a dog bite.
6) If you don't find the parents, you will end up being paranoid to take your dog out and that's not fair to either of you. Even if you are unsuccessful at contacting them, if they do see you there will be a paper trail through your animal control that you attempted to make contact.
Lastly, if the parents are concerned enough to take their son to the doctor and they are unable to locate you along with your dog's vet records, he may have to undergo rabies shots. These are horribly painful, large shots that are administered in the stomach. Even if your dog didn't break skin, this very well could be in that boys future.
Sorry that this is so long, and I hope that you were able to find something useful within. I don't think that you are in any way an irresponsible owner, your dog is lucky to have someone who cares so much for her. I would strongly suggest though that you make an attempt to contact the parents. It would end up being much worse if they are upset and end up finding you.
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Another 'child' I won't argue with
Try that next time,PK. Don't let anybody put their hands on your dog unless they're guests in your home.
I dunno what to say. I can understand that you panicked but from a parents point of view....I'd track you down in the neighborhood and demand an explanation. We also live in the good ole USA where people love to sue over the tiniest things. Best of luck to you, I certainly hope those parents are understanding.
