URGENT - DOG ATTACKED PARTNER **Please read OP's latest updates** [edited by MNHQ]

[FlangeBoil]

Hi all, my 6yo JRT has attacked my partner twice this morning. He has recently developed some territorial aggression, and we have to 'coax' him away from his bed each morning. This morning was as normal, but he wouldn't come so we just left him. My partner went to get milk, about 2m away from him, and the dog lunged and has bitten his hand fairly badly. We managed to lock him away whilst we sorted things, and have since boarded a section of the kitchen away so he can get outside but also can't get to us.
Anytime we enter the kitchen he viciously barks. I have a 4yo at home, so this isn't something I can risk.
He has since bitten my partner again when we went to open the back door for him (by leaning over the barrier we've created) and it's really bad - blood everywhere and he is now in a&e.
I cannnot get near the dog. How do I get him to a point where I can get him checked out - or as I'm probably denying to myself, put to sleep..?
I'm in absolute bits - I just need advice please urgently.

To note - I can't get a vet to come to him, I have already called around

• [Note from MNHQ: We've already edited the title to ask people to read the OP's updates before responding (just click on the See All tab). As that doesn't seem to have worked, we feel the need to explain here in the opening post that the OP's dog has been put to sleep by now as he was found to be suffering from a brain tumour. The OP is obviously in pieces about this so please be sensitive when responding.]

He needs to be put down. I can’t believe you’re even pausing, you’ve a child in the house.

He’s been getting worse FOR MONTHS!
This is not an overnight change.

You could try the police. They have a long pole with a loop so the loop goes over the dog's head and the pole keeps it away. As your partner has ended up in A&E they would know you have an aggressive dog.

Look at your dps hand and imagine what damage that would have left to a dc's face. . Pts or you aren't a responsible ddog owner.

Ooh caps lock 🤣🤣

Yes, so he should have gone to the Vet MONTHS (since we're doing this) AGO.

He could have had an inner ear infection for example, for MONTHS.

He’s bitten someone twice and they have a 4 year old. The dog needs to go.

Sorry OP. Hope you get a solution.

@MrsPinkSky You might be willing to take that risk with a child, and if it goes wrong how would you live with yourself?

Read OP posts. Just making yourself look daft with that comment.

OP is not doubting taking dog to vet, she's asking for advice on how to get it there.

You need to call the dog warden and get your 4 year old out of the house immediately if they are there. The dog warden can help you transport your dog to the vets.

Realistically, the kindest and safest thing to do here is to put the dog to sleep. You cannot trust it ever again and a rescue centre won't touch it now it has a serious bite history. If this has been getting worse for months and the change in behaviour is out of the blue then the vet should have checked the dog over months ago for anything physical. It's too late for that now the serious bite has already happened.

No one is at the house now, he is secured in an area. Partner is in a&e.

To answer a few questions regarding aggression and early signs - since a pup, he has had a temperament which behaviourists have worked with, we've found certain triggers and managed these well. Things were fine for the majority. It's the last few weeks where he has been territorially aggressive - and yes, in hindsight, I should've taken this more seriously, but naively I had put it down to him just wanting his own things (bed, fave ball), as it isn't constant and he snaps out of it fairly quickly. Today however has obviously been different. And now I'm acting, probably too late, which I feel horrendous about.

At this point, I just need to get him safely contained so a vet can advise of next steps.

To clarify - the dog is at the house alone, we are all out of the house and safely away from him.

Yeah it's horrible but have you called the warden? The very last thing you need is for an escaped dog (I'm sure your garden is secure but you never know!) So you do need to act quickly even though it's painful x

Unfortunately, the dog needs to be put down in the nicest way possible. Massive risk to your child - sorry.

Child won't be anywhere near the dog, and I will minimise anyone being near him until he has been to a vet and we know an outcome.

I'm stupid enough not to acted before now, but not stupid enough to put anyone at risk where it can be helped, especially a child.

Thanks everyone.

In terms of getting him contained and making your house safe again you need a crate, a blanket and a lead like this one that you can make a big loop and then pull it to tighten.

Make a big loop, drape it over the dogs head and then a gentle pull just to get the lead to fit around the neck, not pulling tight or cutting off oxygen. That will give you control over where the dog is and you can secure the lead to something if you need to.

Put the blanket over the dog and get it into the crate.

www.petsathome.com/product/3-peaks-ascent-dog-slip-lead-green-large/7150075P?productId=7150075&purchaseType=one-time&size=large

Whether he will need to put down is too open of a question right now. If it is purely behavioural then he is not safe to be in your home right now. If it's medical then he needs treatment and then for his behaviours to be assessed.

Ultimately I don't think I could trust that dog around my child regardless of the outcome, so would need to either be home (would be hard if it's behavioural) or put down.

Speak to a local dogs charity and ask them to take the dog away today.

Hello overworked and underfunded charity, please can you come and get my aggressive dog that we have had to shut in the kitchen for our own safety?

Yes, of course, be right there

That's not a thing, is it? Charities doing house calls to remove dangerous dogs that can't be removed?

Don't be hard on yourself @FlangeBoil - you are acting now and hopefully all will be well. It's all too easy with the benefit of hindsight.

(that should say rehomed instead of removed. Noticed the typo too late to edit)

Now he's had time to chill a bit I'd quietly go into the house, put a crate in the room he's in, chuck a toy / treats in and quietly close the door once he's in. Poor thing sounds like something has scared him or he's in pain to cause his behaviour to suddenly get worse.

If he won't go in of his own accord, a large (flattened) cardboard box can make a useful shield to slowly move him into a smaller space or guide him in and protect you should he become unsettled again.

Thank you for clarifying that.

The dog may have a medical problem. Brain tumour etc

Call them

Vets can prescribe medication that will make a dog more relaxed/lethargic. You can administer this at home and then take the dog (once asleep) to the vets to be PTS. It's how I get one of my dogs to the vets - we sedate her beforehand at home and then drive her down there for her annual vaccinations (she's too terrified otherwise).

Honestly, I would PTS. Even if the dog IS in pain then the chances are that it isn't something that can improve + the dog has a long history of aggression and, behind blunt, you'll never be able to trust the dog again. It cannot be rehomed - dogs that attack that viciously aren't ones that charities will take. PTS is the only option.

Sorry, OP. It's a horrible way to lose a dog.

This is awful for all of you, I'm sorry op.
I think a conversation with the vet about sedatives as pps have suggested would be the first option. Or a crate and tempt him into it of not, food, toy, whatever, even if it takes ages.

An update - I have called the police and logged the incident. They are going to meet me at the house later, once partner is seen to and DD is with DGP. They are going to assess the situation in person. This could mean PTA, could mean they get him to a vet.

Either way, as many PP have said, I cannot risk having my daughter around him. So that's the next step to configure here.

Thank you for all of the advice, and for being relatively gentle with me. I was expecting a flaming, which I probably deserve.