Dog had 'red mist' moment and bit DH, AIBU to think that with training this won't happen again?

[Antalya1]

We are a family with DS17 & DS20. About 4 weeks ago we got a rescue dog, he's about 2 ish and a cross between a shitsu and a yorkshire terrier we think. He's a little thing and has been an absolute joy and has brought a lovely new dynamic to our family.

As I was at home more of less for the first 3 weeks the dog has bonded with me and then next I suppose with DS20, we both have spent a lot of time playing and just generally being loving with him.
DS17 is indifferent and DH has been pretty loving also. We all take responsibility for feeding and walks.

As he was so shy and frightened when we first got him, we allowed him into our bed and he's just sort of stayed there.

When I'm working from home, he cuddles up and spends the day with me.

Over the last 10 days or so, the dog has been growling sometimes at DH, especially when DH comes near me, tries to stroke him, or DH tries to get in bed.

This evening I was sat in bed doing some work and DH came up to the bedroom, the dog started growling at DH so I told DH to pick him up and put him out of the room until he stopped. DH picked him up and the growling got much worse and the dog seemed as though he was going to bite DH, so DH dropped him, the dog sprang at DH and seemed to have a 'red mist' moment, jumping up and bit him, breaking the skin 4 times on his legs and stomach.

We were all really shocked. DH is OK and has been to be checked out but is really shaken and upset and talking about getting rid of the dog.

I'm devasteted, first that the dog who is incredibly loving mostly would do this to DH and also really frightened that DH will insist that we take the dog to a dog and cats home.

I've been in tears tonight thinking about this but I know that if there's a chance that he would do this again then there would be no choice. I've persuaded DH to wait until I can get in touch with a dog behavioural expert tomorrow and I'm pinning my hopes that there is something that they can do...AIBU to think about keeping my dog and that there is something we can do to stop this happening again?

going back a bit:

Back in the day, 30 years back, if you had a problem with your pooch, you would look on your vets notice board and find a local dog training club most were kind though and got the job done.

Don't most people nowadays do exactly this, but before there's a problem - and so we don't have cause to post on MN? The threads you see here are about the exceptions not the rule. And many people will still do this if there is a problem, hopefully with more awareness that all trainers and training methods aren't the same.

Sounds like this 'free' dog is going to end up costing you a fair old whack after all OP. Are you really serious about keeping it? You've had it a month, it's growled at your husband for nearly half this time and bitten him seriously enough, 4 TIMES, to require medical attention, and is still showing threatening behaviour towards him now. Either you've got one seriously charismatic dog there, or you don't think a great deal of your husband. How will you feel if it bites one of your sons, will it get a third chance?

Do you really need this hassle and expense? Are you really going to spend the next decade with an animal you can't trust 100%? What benefit to you and your family is this dog exactly? Sounds like a liability and, if you keep it, make sure you get it insured for when it bites someone outside the family and they sue you.

You want advice about how you stop this dog growling at your husband. Here it is. Give it to a rehoming shelter like Dog's Trust and let them rehome it to a single person once they've put the effort, time and money into rehabilitating it. In exchange, choose a dog that's right for your family.

Why should your husband have to put up with this? Why should you? Pets are supposed to bring pleasure, not aggravation and flesh wounds.

30 years ago we had Barbara Woodhouse.

Fortunately, we've moved on from good old Barbara Woodhouse.

Also fortunately, the OP has a second thread in Doghouse, and is getting some decent advice, without the input of the mass ignorant and armchair warriors

I've noticed the thread in Doghouse, sanity reins once more.

Trip to vet,dog put down
No more biting
Simples

scottishmummy I'm the vet here. It's a disgusting part of my job, taking the life of animals whose only falling is that they've been let down by humans.

How come all you bloody experts have all the answers once the dog has bitten but never have any interest in bite prevention? Pathetic.

^ Like

Dog's Trust don't do exchanges. Thankfully.

How come all you bloody experts have all the answers once the dog has bitten but never have any interest in bite prevention? Pathetic

What a ridiculous statement.Do you think any of us want somebody to be dog-bitten?

..and in any case death is the ultimate bite prevention

Simples indeed. So long as you've no compassion either for the animal or for the vet.

I am sure someone has said this already but that dog needs its own bed! says she who's jrt sleeps in ours but if if there were any issues, he'd be out!

Intit if there is a serious interest in bite prevention then finding out why dogs bite would be a start. Once you have done even a little reading of the studies and the science behind why they bite you cannot maintain the viewpoint that euthanasia is a solution.

The solution to dog bite prevention is education of humans.

oh and then get back to the rescue centre and they will help you, if they are decent. We had a rotweiller from battersea and he bit me a few times, now THAT is scary, but with time and help from dog trainers he came good in the end. Have you owned a dog before OP?

It didn't come from a rescue centre.

My dog sleeps in our bed. He knows that DH isn't terribly keen and before he goes under the covers to the foot of his bed, without fail, he goes to DH and 'asks permission'. As soon as DH strokes him and tells him to go under, he does.

It's not about absolutes - don't let a dog/make a dog

It's about knowing your dog and what he/she needs.

For instance, until last week I thought our dog 'liked' to be up on the sofa. Some of you may view that as a resource. It turns out that he just likes soft places and a pile of blankets on the floor was just as acceptable to him.

The OP has so many avenues she can explore (including learning to recognise a dog's 'back off' signal).

It did come from a rescue centre, the OP has called them for advice, and been given some, but very out dated and dangerous. Fortunately, there are some MNers who actually know what they are talking about, and have been able to help.

It came from an ad, she just rang the local rescue centre to see if they could offer any advice. Which turned out not to be very good.

Hey guys, RTFT is sometimes too much but its usually worth scanning through all the OP's posts at least to get their story straight!

Sorry, correction - he came from an ad.

You're right, Errol, I misread what the OP wrote.