Please help, my dog bit someone

[Lisa231186]

I can’t believe I’m even having to think about this let alone write for advice but I just don’t know who to turn to and I’m so lost.
Some back story. I have a 3 year old male (neutered) Alaskan malamute. I know everyone says “my dog has never shown aggression” but hand on heart he never has. In fact, he’s sort of known locally for being so friendly and a bit of a dope if I’m honest. He loves people, he’s a fluffy sort of handsome dog and gets a lot of attention. And absolutely loves it. Loves being petted. Has only ever been very docile. We have 3 children who adore him and and who he adores. I’ve always been sensible as I know he’s a dog at the end of the day but never has any fear or worry of him being touched, petted, played with. When people have asked to to pet him I have always said yes he’s friendly. It’s hard to put into this short space just how friendly he’s been until now.
So, on Thursday, I was walking him (it’s usually me who walks him) he was on lead and just walking calmly next to me. We saw our local postman (who knows us and my dog by name) and he said hello (our names) we went to say hi. He was petting bear, and he sort of lent over him and got down to his face. And out of nowhere it felt, my dog bit his lip. I pulled him back as quickly as I could but it was too late. My dog didn’t pull to get back he just sat there didn’t show any further aggression. I know it was still aggression in first instance just want to explain he wasn’t sort of savaging him.
I immediately called 999 myself, the operator asked me what the dog was doing now and he was sat there like nothing had happened. I was a wreck. I’ve never felt so bad for someone and so guilty. They told me to secure him. I live a few minutes away from where it happened so I ran back and secured him in the house and went back to help the postman. By now people had come out of their houses understandably and it was a bit of a witch hunt of me being told what have I done etc. I was really crying and trying to help the post man who kept saying “it was an accident” but I felt like no it was my dog and this is my fault. Anyway, he really didn’t want an ambulance but he called his friend to take him to a local walk in centre and I waited for him to go. I called 101 when I got back and said I need to report what has happened. They told me it had already been done by the 999 operator and I needed to wait to hear from a police officer. I had a call around an hour later from a police lady. She explained she had spoken to the postman, a witness and the dog warden and they had decided it was an accident, not an attack. And that there would be no further action. She said the postman had been adamant he wanted no further action.
But I didn’t feel relieved, I am struggling to explain how I feel. I just never in a million years thought this could happen. I guess I feel like the trust is gone. And with having kids I think I’m catastrophising thinking what if it was a child, one my children, what if he was more badly injured and again, I just never thought this would ever be something he would do.
Since then, I’ve contacted the dogs trust for advice. I’ve booked him in for a vet appointment which is tomorrow. Explained to them, they were shocked too as they know him and couldn’t believe it as he’s always been so gentle and sweet even when having not so nice things done. I’ve also paid for a dog behaviourist to come to my home on Tuesday. He’s been great, he put my mind at rest a bit and has said it could be a totally isolated incident but of course before he meets us doesn’t know a lot more than about what happened Thursday. Both the vets and dog behaviourist have said try not to treat him too differently. But that’s the thing I can’t. I’m so worried, I’m on edge, anxious. I feel so scared of him even being around my kids now. I’ve been getting up at 5:30 to walk him before anyone is around and taking him out late at night in the evening. I keep saying it but I just can’t explain this feeling I have, I’ve never had it before. It’s like I just can’t believe he did it and I’m so fearful that it could happen again.
We’ve explained to the kids (the vet gave us this advice) that he has been feeling under the weather so to give him more space than usual. But even with them doing that, I’m just so on edge. My partner thinks I’m in a bit of shock from the whole thing. I don’t know, all I know is it feels like he was my best friend (he is a mummy’s boy we spend all our time together) to me now, if I’m honest a bit scared of.

How badly was the man injured?
Did the dog deeply bite, or did he jump up with his mouth open and scrape him with his teeth?

Personally I would look at rehoming with full transparency though.
I think a dog that size around children isn't a good idea regardless, as you've seen all it takes is one reaction from an otherwise calm dog and their size means it can be fatal.

Well it sounds like your doing everything you can to make sure there isn't a repeat incident

The postman was nice wasn't he, some people would of reacted differently despite it being an accident

I have a large dog and I always have a little fear in me that he might hurt someone one day. He's lovely, lives with me, my young ish children, our cats..... but I never let them put their face near his face, crowd him or go near him whilst he's eating because I worry that he could do what your dog has done

A man that is not that familiar from your dogs point of view leant over stared in his eyes/face and your dog snapped, I think this is not that surprising for some breeds. You have don't the right thing by reporting and getting your dog vet checked, I would be alert in future and make sure no one out and about does this. Muzzle train him as a precaution maybe?

I have seen a few dogs do this, I would never bend over a strange dog and do this, its normal for dogs not to like people getting close to their face and staring.

In the Uk there is an expectation that all dogs need to be perfect 100% of the time, animals like people have off days.

He didn’t jump, the postman was sort of bent over at his face level. I pulled him back immediately on the lead but it was too late. I don’t know the extent of the injury because I’ve not spoken to him since. His colleague was outside yesterday and my partner spoke to him. He said he went back to work Friday but the post office sent him home. There was blood, and I felt it looked bad. It was his lip. It’s a bit of a blur but I remember thinking it looked like his lip would need stitches. 😢

What an awful upsetting time for you- have you heard from the postman regarding his injury? It sounds as if he's supportive, some people wouldn't be.

I think you're doing all that you can OP and I wish you (and the postman) all the best.
Hoping the vet can help, but if you're going to be constantly on edge it might be better to re-home him. Poor doggy though.

Meant to add there is a huge difference between a snap/bite and retreat and a locked on bite attack that you are more likely to see with Bull breeds.

Dogs communicate through growling , turning heads away etc so your dog may have done this and you understandably missed it.

I feel awful even saying this and breaks my heart because I love him so much. And I know the kids would be heartbroken too. But my first reaction was that I need to rehome him. But then I thought about it and now he’s done this one thing I don’t think I could rehome him, like I don’t think anyone would want him. Which is mad as before this I wouldn’t have dreamed of ever being without him. He’s been the best family dog we could ever wish for. And prior to this I feel like people would have faught over him if I did rehome him as he has been the most lovely boy. It’s like everything has changed in an instant

Vet check (as you are doing).
Think about muzzle training.
Make sure your behaviourist is force free and actually clued up.

Moving forward don't let people pet him, especially if they are standing over him - dogs don't like that generally. Sometimes he's just not going to want to be petted - can you imagine having people touch you when you are minding your own business just going for a walk.
Get jenned up on dog body language as he will almost certainly have given out signals before snapping (eg lick licking etc).

Generally don't let DC manhandle him, invade his space, give him sanctuary.

Walking him early is prob the best as he will need to decompress.

I don't think it's a rehoming job.

The postman bent over him which may have been perceived as threatening, or he could have pain in one of the areas being touched by the postman or it could have been an accidental catch of the teeth in play. Only you and the postman will know because you were there and could see the other signs your dog displayed like signs of fear (his flattened, tail tucked etc) or typical warning signs of aggression. Our old dog bit a drunk stranger coming out of a shop who all of a sudden loomed over him and went to put his face in the dogs face because he felt threatened, he ignored the warning growls as he lurched towards the dog and DH's instructions not to go near the dog. DH tried to pull the dog away in time but it all happen so quickly. Never showed any signs of aggression to other people, family or children.

I am honestly doing whatever I can. The dogs trust were amazing as I literally had no clue what to do. Yes I’ve left a letter for the postman thanking him (and obviously apologising) which his colleague took and said he will give him Monday. As a child I’ve always had large dogs, and we’ve only had large dogs. And they have all been amazing. As was this dog, until this. I am thinking I’ve been too trusting, I guess like I keep saying I genuinely didn’t ever think this could happen from how he has always been. But this is a savage reminder that ultimately he is a an animal. I feel so terrible.

Sounds like he reacted to the poor postie looming over him and getting right up to his face. To a dog, thats pretty scary and aggressive behaviour that called for a back off warning.

Edit, sounds like you are doing everything right to make sure this never happens again.

I wouldn't jump to rehoming myself. I think you'll have to put some measures in place to protect him and others when he's out and at home but I doubt anyone will take him after this so it's either you keep him and commit to keeping him and everyone safe or he will be euthanised most likely which feels out of proportion.

Oh this is my worst nightmare, I’m so sorry. I think I’d feel the same and not sure that I could relax with the dog around the kids, when it was so unexpected. I’d also worry about how my new level of fear was transmitted to the dog and the impact of that. But the thought of rehoming is also awful. I think go through all your steps with the vet and behaviourist which will give you more info with which to make your decision. Big hug for you.

The trainer guy who is coming this week said something similar to you about leaning over a dog is a big no no. But I can’t shake that it’s still inexcusable. I spoke to the vet about a muzzle when I take him tomorrow but they said they do not feel it’s required. I also asked the trainer and he said we can discuss it when we meet but his instinct is that it was an isolated incident but we could discuss how to introduce it properly when we meet and he’s assessed.

EDIT- I forgot to mention I’ve had the flu so had not walked him for a few days myself (my partner had) I only mention it as the dog trainer asked if there has been any change in our routine in the lead up and I explained the above. He said this could have been part of it as I have been sick etc. again, not an excuse and i am seriously not making any excuses as I feel awful. But maybe worth adding

Put the dog to sleep asap. Very sad and I am sorry to say it, but if the dog has done it once, it will do it again.

No one should be getting down on your dog’s level/in his face sufficiently close to be bitten. Clearly the postman trusted your dog, or else I’m sure he wouldn’t have done it, but unfortunately even the most placid dog (as you’ve found out) may feel threatened in this scenario. That aside, sounds like you’re doing all the right things. I wouldn’t re home.

The postman put his face near the dog's face. Many dogs hate that (I have one who flinches and backs away if someone puts their face near to hers). Perhaps that was the trigger. No excuses, but maybe an explanation. Nonetheless, I'd be worried about him being around children who, of course, don't really understand personal space. I hate seeing kids grabbing dogs round the neck and hugging them - makes me very nervous. Make sure the kids give your dog space, especially while you're figuring this out.

This is absolute nonsense.

I think you are doing everything you can.
The Postie did nothing wrong but sticking your face in a dogs face is not a good idea even if the dog is usually very friendly.
DDog is very soft but I wouldn't let anyone do that to him just in case

Needs putting down. It's a very large dog that has shown aggression to a human. Don't wait around to see if he does it again. Goodness sake.

Thank you 😢 that’s literally how I’ve explained it. A nightmare. And just something I didn’t ever think I would have to be writing about. I’m not at all relaxed anymore. And I can’t explain how it’s a total 360 from how I was before this. It’s like it’s totally upside downed our home. My kids are without a single doubt my main priority. But even that, my youngest (8) said about a week ago when we walking him something along the lines of how much she wants him to live forever. And I sort of said oh he has many years left with us bub dont worry about that. Obviously their safety is paramount but I know they will be broken hearted if we rehome him.

No not yet, I can’t stop thinking about him. his colleague who my partner saw yesterday said he believes he’s okay but he’s not spoken to him. I know he went into work on Friday but they sent him home. That’s all I have for now :( I feel so terrible for him

Why? The dog has attacked a human being and it will do it again. The OP has children and it’s a large animal, why take the risk??