To feel despair at the last few days? I just need to moan.

[Givemeallthechocolate]

Ive really dropped the ball,
My dog who I've only had a few months and has so far been lots of trouble, dog behaviourists, anxiety medication and taking him everywhere with me, because he can't be left in the house. It felt like we were getting somewhere, when last night he bit someone unprovoked, and I also got bit. Luckily no serious injuries, but it's made me realise maybe I can't be the owner he needs to be to help him. Training isn't really helping at this point. I feel like shit because that will mean giving up on him.

This morning we woke late, because I was worrying most of the night about the dog situation.... with an hour to get ready DD really took her time, and we ended up late,

But not before she went in the office and managed to pull a piece of furniture onto herself- due to go to the tip but because it would need to be transported via a van, and you need a special form from the council- which we are waiting for.

So DD made it to school 5 minutes late, with a bit of a limp and by this point I'm already in tears,

And it gets worse, I left the school and had a parking ticket on my windscreen.
Parents get away with parking there for free, but by the time I'd signed the late book, and mentioned DDs leg may be sore during the day, they must have assumed I'd parked there to nip to town.

I don't think I've had such a shitty day incso long.

Oh and DD has a hole in her tights, at the point I realised I was worrying about us being late, and running into traffic.

I feel like a failure on so many levels today!

Sounds like you need a pick me up! Sorry for your bad day. Tomorrow WILL be better. (And it really is true that there is always someone worse off - my good friend's flat was gutted by fire this weekend. She lost everything but at least she got out).

Sounds very stressful.
But you need to protect your family and get rid of the aggressive dog immediately. Things might seem easier with one less thing to worry about.

OP you are a good mum.

We all have shitty days.

Do what is best for you and your family, nothing else matters!

We all have crap days OP

If you are really struggling with the dog, the kindest thing will be to rehome it or find a shelter that will give their all in training it and making it suitable for a good home. It seems getting rid of the dog, however much you love it, will help with your stress!

No. I won't have it. You're not a failure. Sometimes the shit stacks up.

I would rehome the dog.

But it was a run of bad luck. Have a cup of tea and start again.

Rehome through qualified rescue centre that really understands dogs behaviour or consider putting to sleep. I love dogs but if they are biting you and others without being provoked I'd have to consider what it could be the next time. Your poor beautiful daughters face scarred for life maybe worse.

Ah she could have holed her tights at school today that's a nothing worry so park that.

Sorry about the parking ticket you can appeal to see if they will reconsider. I'm sure reception could take a copy of the late book at write a short note saying that you had something you had to discuss but unfortunately that might not help and you will just have to pay it.

Your dd is at school so obviously big enough to know better than to play with upended furniture. Again nothing you can do now and as long as she isn't seriously hurt no harm done fortunately.

You are not a failure.

Thank you all, the replies have really lifted my spirits, which I really need today!

I'm really sad to say, I think that the dog has had it here to be honest.
We've in the past few months given all we could, but honestly, the aggression is something we can't accept. I really wanted his home to be here, but we can't keep him.

It's really helpful to hear this from unbiased people, because I was starting to think I was being too hard- as my husband seems to not see last night as a huge problem. He thinks it can all be worked on.

What exactly happened with the biting op?

(you're not a failure )

To add detail to the dog situation, he was having a walk,
He saw DD, DH (my DH- not DDs lol!) and Friend,
He ran straight up and was greeting DH and just bit this little girl. So very lucky that she had a big thick padded coat which took most of the force, but I had to put both hands in his mouth and prize open his jaw.
At that point I was bit because he was trying to get back at DDs friend.

He didn't even growl until he had hold of her. Such a very scary situation that happened in a few split seconds, and because of the way it happened I really can't see how he would be trusted to not bite a random child on the street.

He needs a muzzle, but again- can't muzzle him 24/7 and what if he got out one day? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if he bit someone without me being able to pull him off. He's a big strong lad at 32KG- and he's not stopped growing.

That sounds really frightening, not least for the girl who got bit. I think it's worrying that your DH is downplaying this.

Oh gosh - poor you!

Holey tights - meh, don’t worry!

Parking ticket - appeal, and asking school for a copy of the late book is a good idea.

Dog - get onto the behaviourist you have used today, and the rescue you got him from (presume he was a rescue?) and get quick advice. He can’t stay with you, or be near children at all and everyone needs to know and understand that.

we have recently rehomed a dog, and she’s soppy as all get-out but there are still things to worry about - the anxiety for you must be unbearable and in a busy family situation you simply don’t have the luxury of time to help this particular dog. Your DH needs to be told by someone else if necessary that the dog is now a danger.

Plus - your DH has to understand (and I assume he is not the one doing the majority of dog care) that a dog you CANNOT leave at home and CANNOT take out (without a muzzle, which requires desensitise-training for most dogs to wear happily) is not a dog that a family with school runs to do can work with. It’s simply impossible.

Do the dog behaviourists know that the dog has bitten? If this was a ‘bite’.

Not being flippant re ‘bite’ but either this was a bite and the dog has lost his bite inhibition and pre bite warning signals or something else??

You say your dog’s a large breed. Is it a shepherd type breed?

Either way, big dog with inappropriate behaviours is not good.

It’s the dog - everything else today were just the straws.

The op had to prize the jaws apart to release the kids arm. That's a bite by anyone's definition.

Oh no op that is really not good, call local rescue, call behaviourist and call your vet. At the end of the day he really could have hurt that wee girl. Your dh burying his head in the sand about it won't make it go away. The end decision is obviously yours at the end of the day and I'm not sure I could comfortably hand him over to a rescue centre incase he is rehomed wrongly and ends up doing much worse next time. I'd feel responsible still.

My collie shows very little warning signs she snaps, it's dog aggression she suffers from and is muzzled when ever out.

He is not a suitable family pet I'd even say pet. I'm sorry this must be really hard to read

What a shitty day, you've had. I've had days like that, so I can empathise.

I think you are right about the dog. What I can tell from your story is that your dog is incompatible with children. It's sad, but it happens. Some dogs just become unmanagable around kids. Not your fault and not much you can do about it. The dog needs a home away from kids.