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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Bitten by my dog :(

28 replies

Stinkylinky · 12/05/2015 06:57

My dog has bitten me for the 3rd time in 8 weeks last night. This time being the worst, there was bleeding and my hand is very swollen and sore. I'm also 32 weeks pregnant, my DM is saying I need to speak to the Dr but I don't want to make a fuss, I've cleaned it at home.

I'm more concerned about what to do with our dog, my DP has had him from a puppy and he has a history of biting people, especially over toys. He is my little companion who is always by my side and is normally a lovely dog but his unpredictable streak worries me greatly. My DP has said (and I know he's right) that once DC reaches toddling age it won't be a question of if but when the dog will bite him.

Has anyone had any similar experiences with a dog that has been solved with the help of a dog behaviourist?

I'm willing to try anything as I know the options are limited.

OP posts:

Report

fuctifino · 12/05/2015 07:02

You need to get your hand properly clean, puncture wounds are notoriously difficult and need property attention.

I'm sorry to say but I don't think there is much hope with this dog . With a new baby in the house, you will have to keep them separate at all times. Is it fair to keep him shut away? There are worse things than death for an animal.

Why has he bitten you, was there a trigger or was it out of the blue.

fuctifino · 12/05/2015 07:03

*proper

mumteedum · 12/05/2015 07:04

I'm sorry but I wouldn't want to risk my child around a dog with such a history . That bite sounds serious and think your mum is right about getting it checked.I guess you can get expert opinion from behaviourist but I imagine putting in the effort to rehabilitate a dog, if it's possible, may be impossible with a newborn.

00100001 · 12/05/2015 07:08

Do you know why the dog is biting?

is it out of the blue? are the clues?

Also, get rid of the dog now - if he's not safe, he's not safe. If the dog is biting for no apparent reason, even if you supervise all contact how can you possibly stop the dog biting the baby?

I feel like if you've been bitten this badly, then you need to get rid of the dog before the baby comes :(

it's up to you, but I wouldn't risk, baby or not.

Stinkylinky · 12/05/2015 07:11

Thank you for your replies, I kinda knew the response I would get but I'm still trying to hold on to the hope that everything will be alright. I know it won't and it breaks my heart

He normally bites if you try to take something from him, most of the time I've not even realised it's something that he thinks is "his" last night it was picking up some bits of carpet that had come loose and he just happened to be near by.

It would be much easier if he was awful all of the time but he can be the most wonderful dog.

I think DP and I will have to come to a decision in the next couple of days, in the mean time I am just going to try to enjoy the time I have with him.

OP posts:

coolaschmoola · 12/05/2015 07:20

From what you describe there shouldn't be a decision. Young children don't have any notion of ownership. It's not if, it's definitely when.

You also mention that the bite this time was because he was defending something that wasn't his. What if he decides to defend a baby toy?

A bite like the one you have described isn't a warning, it's a proper bite. A bite can kill a child.

It takes a long time working with a behaviourist to stop biting and it doesn't always work. It's time you don't have and you can't risk it not working.

I'm really sorry, I feel for you, it's awful but not as awful as him biting your baby.

tabulahrasa · 12/05/2015 07:54

Resource guarding is something that is usually very trainable...now after it's been allowed to continue for so long and escalate and with a baby arriving imminently, no, he won't be safe with a baby.

Stinkylinky · 12/05/2015 07:59

I know what we need to do but I'm just so heartbroken. Sat here sobbing my eyes out with my little mate by my side

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 12/05/2015 10:15

How old is he ,he may well be trainable and babies don't move around for months so you still have loads of time if you want to try doing something about it . Wha type of dog is he ?

Stinkylinky · 12/05/2015 11:35

He is a 6 year old Parsons Jack Russell, we are willing to try anything

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 12/05/2015 11:47

I tried everything with a dog for two years and very sadly two weeks ago we had him pts after we tried everything. If Id had a small child in the house who could have been bitten I really don't think we'd have tried that long.

You could try with a behaviourist and do all the stuff of giving him something before you take something away......but realistically is a toddler going to keep to that regime? So when toddler picks one of their toys up and dog decides it's his toy what happens?

Having my dog pts was heart breaking and I'm still devastated. But I also know it was the right thing to do.

Floralnomad · 12/05/2015 12:01

I would at least get a behaviourist involved now to get a properly qualified opinion , I'm sure someone on here could recommend someone in your area .

SylvaniansAtEase · 12/05/2015 12:11

No no no no no. For goodness sake, don't 'try anything'.

He's by your side all the time? If you want your baby safe, then to keep him, the very least you will have to do is make sure he is nowhere near you (and therefore your baby) all of the time. Do you think that will make him happy? He won't understand anything except that he is being banished.

It isn't a case of 'when' he bites your baby once they're a toddler. It's more a case of whether his unpredictable temperament will extend to attacking a newborn once he sees it usurp his position as your closest companion. You can't say that his problems are all related to defending his property, because so far he hasn't been presented with a baby. You have no idea how he will react, you won't be able to take the slightest chance - no 'introducing' them, please God - so you will simply have to lock him away.

And as others have said, it's not a warning snap. He bites - properly - then type of bite that would kill or maim a baby. There was a JRT which killed a baby fairly recently as I remember. Small dogs are just as dangerous.

The kindest thing by far would be to rehome or pts.

GatoradeMeBitch · 12/05/2015 12:12

Maybe ask Dogs Trust for advice? There are childless people willing to take on dogs who need extra support and training.

NerrSnerr · 12/05/2015 12:15

Please do not have this dog in your house when the baby gets here. If he's by your side at all times he could get jealous of your baby and a dog could easily kill a baby (we all have seen the headlines).

123Jump · 12/05/2015 12:20

OP, years ago-like 30 years ago, we had a vicious dog. He snapped, and had bitten a few times. he was fine with us but hated my brother,who teased him.We had a large veg plot in our garden and he was always locked up when other people were around.
But of course, one day mum forget (Wimbledon Final on tv..)next thing screaming.
The boy had to have 40 stitches to his neck. I know people often say,"If it had been 1cm to the side I would have died..", but in this case that was true. That boy was lucky he survived.
Our dog was put down an hour later.
It isn't worth it OP. Please do something! rehome or PTS.
You will not be able to watch every time,all the time. One day you might nip out for just a second...

BagelwithButter · 12/05/2015 12:34

Just wanted to say that you need to make a (very hard) decision fast, if you are already 32 weeks pregnant.

Many rescues will be full so you need to start phoning around to see if you can get a place in the next few weeks. Alternatively, perhaps they would put up details on their website but any prospective new owners would come and see him at your house.

You really don't want to leave it until you're 39 weeks pregnant and afraid to come home with the baby. You will be tired and emotional, you will want to enjoy time with your baby and recuperating, rather than worrying about your dog.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 12/05/2015 12:35

His resource guarding may well turn to guarding you against what he sees as a rival for your affections. I'm so sorry you're having to do this.

Lilcamper · 12/05/2015 12:49

OP, please speak to a QUALIFIED APBC behaviourist before making this difficult decision.

Dogs can be and are turned round from resource guarding by people that know what they are doing. That and advice on management can be a HUGE help.

Don't let a bunch of randoms on the internet be the judge, jury and executioner of your beloved pet without speaking to a person qualified to comment on the subject first.

sebsmummy1 · 12/05/2015 12:54

OP please go to the doctors re. the dog bite. If it's broken the skin you are in serious risk of infection. People have died from untreated dog bites.

Stinkylinky · 12/05/2015 13:25

We are going to contact a highly recommended behaviourist to see what their verdict is. If it isn't good news, a family friend who owns a farm as offer our dog a home where I think he would be very happy. He is from working stock so was never bred to be a pet. Two of our friends also have dogs from the same litter, both of which show similar behavioural issues.

Thank you for everyone's responses and advice, I feel much better knowing that if all else fails, he has a nice home to go to.

OP posts:

Stinkylinky · 12/05/2015 13:26

*has offered

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 12/05/2015 13:29

I would normally say get a behaviourist in, like I said, resource guarding is trainable...but, it's been left to become worse for years and you're now looking at a serious problem that needs to be resolved in a limited time frame and a time that's going to involve a fair amount of upheaval anyway.

There'll be a baby in the house in 8 weeks or less with a dog that's been allowed to practise and practise this behaviour for years...

Lilcamper · 12/05/2015 13:29

Good news, please do make sure the behaviourist is properly qualified, the industry is totally unregulated and anyone can watch a few bad reality tv shows and call themselves one!

tabulahrasa · 12/05/2015 13:30

Cross posted - I hope it does work out well for him then.

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