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Original poster

Dog aggression

20 replies

NewYoiker · 14/10/2018 22:29

So our dog got bitten earlier today as did I. He was just walking and a terrier On a lead just attacked him and bit him. I pulled it off and needed stitches for the bite but he seemed fine.

I've just had a bath and whilst in the bath he's snapped at DH with no growling. 2 definite air snaps.

He's going to the vet tomorrow to see if there is anything that the other dog did that we can't see. But if there is no injury, can we help him with this behaviour?

He does have arthritis and is on pain relief for that, could he be aggressive because he's in pain? Is there anywhere we can go from the metacam he's on?

He's 10 years old and a darling but I cannot have an aggressive dog, I want to help him but I don't know what to say to the vet- please can you check my dog because he tried to bite my husband with no warning?

I posted in doghouse but had no response

OP posts:
Angie169 · 14/10/2018 22:43

oh this must be horrible for you and your family.
Has your dog ever shown any signs of aggression before ?
If not then i would say it is down to pain / fear . he is likely to be very defensive at the moment as he is likely to still be in shock and its the only way most dogs know how to deal with fear.

I would give him some space , just let him do his own thing and yes get him back to the vets as soon as you can , he may have a unnoticed injury / bruise .
If the vet can not find anything I would recommend that you do not make any hasty decisions that you may later regret .
If possible leave your dog alone, give him a chance to recover physically and mentally.
when he does approach you move slowly and speak quietly and reassuringly keep the contact short. Don't pick him up or try to get him to roll over .

one small step at a time .

I hope he gets well soon

Greedycushionhoarder2 · 14/10/2018 22:47

I'm sorry to hear what happened, I hope you're ok. It is definitely worth a vet trip, it would be the first thing a behaviourist would recommend, your dog may have an injury you haven't found, also add you say he has arthritis he's quite likely in pain, he will have moved suddenly and faster than usual. The other thing to bear in mind is right now his body will be circulating a high amount of the stress hormone cortisol, it takes up to 72 hours for this to dissipate, what he needs is absolute can and quiet, don't week him for 72 hours, give him calming activities such as a filled Kong to help him relax, obviously the vet trip will be stressful but necessary, so keep in mind that that will add to his stress levels, think of it as a full bucket, you need to try to empty that bucket, stressful situations at to the bucket until it over flows resulting in a snap. Even being handled by a loving owner can be to much at the moment. Google absolute dogs bucket emptying strategies .

Original poster
NewYoiker · 14/10/2018 22:48

He's never shown any aggression. But I'm definitely booking him to the vet tomorrow. I'll do anything to have him with us longer, even if that means muzzle training outside the house but biting us is something that feels unmanageable.

First things first though vet! Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
NewYoiker · 14/10/2018 22:50

@Greedycushionhoarder2 that's really helpful thank you!!

OP posts:
Original poster
NewYoiker · 14/10/2018 23:31

Hopefully he'll be ok

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Wolfiefan · 14/10/2018 23:33

He’s in pain. What happened before he snapped? Did DH touch him or move him or startle him? (Not blaming but trying to understand.) Is he on pain meds?
You were bitten as well? How awful and scary.

Original poster
NewYoiker · 14/10/2018 23:54

I got bitten by the terrier on the lead when I pulled it off his neck. It was awful.

DH leant over him whilst he was asleep to kiss his head 🙄Hmm honestly what a stupid thing to do! He's just told me this. I was in the bath.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 15/10/2018 07:01

It probably wouldn’t normally be a stupid thing to do! DH is probably feeling like he wanted to comfort the dog.
But yes DH needs further training!
Hope things are a bit calmer this morning and you both recover quickly.

ThanksHunkyJesus · 15/10/2018 07:06

Your husband is an idiot. Your dog has had a terrible shock and yes is probably feeling sore. This was entirely your dh's fault. Dogs don't like being kissed they can see it as a threatening act.

Wolfiefan · 15/10/2018 07:12

Mine is quite happy to be kissed. But I wouldn’t do it when she was asleep. Especially not soon after she had been attacked. Poor doggy.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 15/10/2018 07:22

Your poor dog. If he's never shown any aggression before I would think that he snapped at DH because he startled him and that he was on edge because of what happened earlier, he will be in pain and won't be his normal self. Keep an eye on him and get him checked over.

Dumbledora · 15/10/2018 07:25

Do let us know how it goes at the vets.
Hope your dog is OK. What an awful experience.

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 15/10/2018 08:14

This happened to a friend of mine. Unfortunately, the dog bit one of her kids after it too was attacked by another dog. Never showed aggression before.

It was rehomed with family and has been better since.

Tippytappytoes · 15/10/2018 09:55

Poor Ddog and poor you! Definitely doing the right thing taking him to the vets. Consider talking to a behaviourist about how to help the dog get through this.

Some dogs just need a little time and then they are fine. Some dogs change their behaviour because they think it’ll stop them being attacked again. After my gentle dog was attacked by 2 collies, whenever he saw a collie dog he would go on the attack, barking and snarling pulling at the end of the lead. I had to work with him and some friendly collies to teach him that they aren’t all bad.

Also, as another owner with an arthritic dog. On his bad days I like to distract him with games. He’s very food oriented so his snuffle mat and his cube (he moves it around to work the treats out) come out. Seems to take his mind off the pain for a little while. 🙂

allyouneedis · 15/10/2018 10:22

It sounds like poor ddog got a fright, it will still be fresh in his mind what happens and he’ll be on alert now. My wee dog got attached by a dog and has never been the same around other dogs, it’s like she wants to get in there first before they attack her 😢

allyouneedis · 15/10/2018 10:25

Attacked not attached that should have said

tabulahrasa · 15/10/2018 10:26

He’ll be in pain...

Even without an injury there’ll likely be bruising and he’ll have moved/been moved in a way that didn’t protect his arthritis like he’d usually do and made that flare up.

And yes there are painkillers stronger than metacam they can add in.

Original poster
NewYoiker · 15/10/2018 12:43

Back from the vet- he's got a raging ear infection that definitely didn't have any discharge on Friday when I checked his ears. So antibiotic drops and calm for now

OP posts:
Original poster
NewYoiker · 15/10/2018 12:44

I've told my husband he's an absolute tool for leaning over him whilst he was asleep. It's the DH who needs training not the dog!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 15/10/2018 13:15

Oh poor dog. Hope all is better soon.

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