My rescue dog has just bitten someone

[LastTango]

We are not having a lot of luck with our 2 rescue dogs - we got them last Saturday. On the advice of Dogs Trust the Yorkie went back because she constantly full-on attacked the JRT.

Tonight the JRT bit someone when he was out on his evening walk. My son said he went for her flappy trousers, but bit into her leg. Oh shit!

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

It's very early days for your dog, what were the circumstances of him being allowed to bite someone.

Was he off the lead?

[LastTango]

On lead, had just been fussed by another passer by 2 minutes before. This lady saw him, and moved to the edge of the pavement and stopped. He sniffed her, then went. No snarling, no growling. Just went for her trousers and bit her.

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

I'm confused, I thought he went for her flapping trousers, but she was stationary?

Just read your other thread, this poor dog has been through a lot, is your son very experienced with dogs?

[LastTango]

My son is 28, and yes, experienced with dogs. She stopped, the wind was blowing her trousers.

[Opinionatedbugger]

I'm sorry this has happened op but this shouldn't be allowed to happen again. I would call the shelter. I know this isn't always the case but this is why people can be wary with rescue dogs. We don't know their history and what sorts of things will set them off. Of course I know this isn't true of all rescue dogs but I know it can happen. May have been a scent he picked op from them.

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

Sounds like he was spooked by her for some reason then.

What happened next, was the woman ok?

Is the dog ok in the house?

[LastTango]

He has been so dopey and affectionate to my 3 neighbours who visit. He is a soppy dog with us, always wanting his tummy rubbed. I am so afraid now that he could go for a child, asda delivery man, postman........I feel I can't trust him. He is only 4 1/2.

[ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear]

[LastTango]

The lady was ok and said she didn't want our phone number and address. And she walked away. My son said she looked quite shocked. We are a small village so I expect, over the next couple of days, we will find out who she is.

[Opinionatedbugger]

Glad she's ok. Op I think you need

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

I honestly think he needs more time, him being affectionate at home is such a good sign, if he's relaxed there you can teach him to relax outside too.

Shorter walks on very quiet pathways etc, you can do it, give him the chance to learn that strangers aren't always a threat

[LastTango]

He's the most soppy thing at home you could imagine.

However, do I ring the Dogs Trust tomorrow and tell them? My son thinks they will take him back and put him to sleep.

[christinarossetti]

Indeed you can't trust him, OP. Your dog has bitten someone. It sounds like you have no idea what triggered this and you hence have no idea what will trigger him again.

Whatever else you decide to do, please don't take him out without a muzzle again. You're absolutely right that it could be a child that he attacks next time.

[christinarossetti]

Yes, do phone the Dogs Trust and ask for their advice and guidance.

Why on earth would you not do this?

[Opinionatedbugger]

It depends how bad was it? Was it a full on bite or a nip? Both aren't great but one is definately fixable.

[christinarossetti]

How is a nip fixable?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

It would not be unusual for a terrier to play by grabbing flappy trousers. Mine used to be constantly attached to the bottom of my jeans. However as you don't seem sure that this is all it was I would suggest you get an APDT behaviourist in to assess. Dogs Trust should have one you can work with.

[ExitPursuedByAKoalaBear]

Do they pts?

[JennyOnTheBlocks]

No one can pts if you don't return the dog

Behaviour assessment and training is almost a given with a rescue for at least some time, Dogs Trust should help you there

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Yes. But never healthy dogs. What they don't tell you is that behavioural issues can be classed as bad health. Whether they would or not would depend on the severity of the issues and the opinion of the behaviourist as to whether the dog could be rehabilitated.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

You need the advice of a qualified dog behaviourist, I should think. Others on here will be able to tell you details of who you need and how to find them better than I, as, I've been fortunate with my rescues.
This isn't necessarily the end, but you do need to pull out all the stops now (and be willing to work bloody hard on whatever good advice you are given), or it could be.
Good luck - I know a little through friends about how difficult it can be when a loved dog exhibits these type of issues,

[affafantoosh]

On the whole Dogs Trust are one of the more behaviour-savvy organisations. I would imagine that if you are willing to work with him they will be willing to help and support you. Call them first. I can pretty much guarantee they won't just take him and put him down. (I have worked with dogs rehomed from Dogs Trust who have had bite histories and they are extremely strict with regard to where dogs are homed and safety measures taken by owners. This is much better than simply advising PTS every time which is needless).

[VivaLeBeaver]

Christina, dog bites are graded on a scale of 1-4, maybe 1-5. The higher up the scale the bite is the less chance of the dogs behaviour being fixable.

[christinarossetti]

That's simply a statistical risk - it's not a prognosis of how the dog may behave in the future.

And the nip isn't 'fixable' for the person who was bitten.

[Quoteunquote]

buy a muzzle, use when anyone is visiting, or when you are out and about use it,

You can with very carful training change the reaction of the dog,

but as a responsible owner you must never fully trust the dog again.

I have had in the past had "dangerous dogs" because I acknowledge their limitations, I was able to provide a safe home, and re train their responses, it does take a lot of work, and understanding of k9 responses,

I train dogs for purpose , the dog you have has not had the correct training at the right development stages, you need to adjust to this, you have done exactly the right thing by acknowledging this, most owners pretend it hasn't. (you came close with the flapping trousers), really anything can be a trigger,

if you get the cage type muzzle , they can still sniff, drink, bark, but can't bite, which will help you all relax a bit.

This will give you the time to rebuild the dog's confidence and behaviour.

You need a really good trainer, who will help you work through a program,

The first owners of this dog, had no concept of dog training, they allowed the dog to mouth them, this is the very first rule we teach puppies, you get shunned if your mouth touches a human, this dog never got this message.

so you need to find someone who really understands K9 development, you have to go back to beginning,

start with basics, the dog only get attention, when it's bottom is on the ground, full obedience training,

I also suggest you make sure that you walk this dog a lot more, never the same walk twice in a three month period, walk every inch of the surrounding area, all the nooks and crannies,dogs want links in their head of whole area, the same walks are like reading the same issue of a magazine over and over,

dogs build a smell mind map, their confidence is built on this, cover both sides of all routes,

Don't think of muzzle as negative, a lot of vets and dog behavioust would like to ban leads and make muzzles compolsery People unintentionally send negative message down leads.

Don't worry you can sort this out, and save this dog, find someone in your area who will help you build a program for the dog.