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.

@Lisa231186 I’m not surprised you’re drained, you’ve had a very stressful few days. Good luck with the behaviourists, did the vet mention the glands might have been bothering your dog?

this is all really helpful.
so no, I wouldn’t get another dog. Not now. We lost a dog to old age 4 years ago. I was heartbroken. Now this, and I feel it’s going to be more of the same. You’re totally right I do think any dog can bite.
So he has his own garage that is attached to the house. He uses a huge dog flap to go in there. We don’t use it, it’s too cold but he takes himself out there as and when. He also has access to the garden and spends time out there. We are lucky that we have a lot of space. You’re so right about the strangers part. As much as I have tried to be a good dog owner, I’ve really missed the mark there and I know it. I’m sure he will tell me the same tomorrow. I’ve stupidly given him 100% trust which now I say it out loud I hate myself as he’s an animal. But, lesson learned a really hard way for anyone involved and what I will really drum into anyone I know who has a dog in future. He did mention a risk assessment. He wants to see us tomorrow without the kids so they are going to my mums. Then he would want to see us next time with them.

he didn’t say it was the reason. Not enough of one. So we can’t blame that as such. Although when he did it, he said hoe calm he is with me down here. I was so on edge because I thought after what’s happened the vet had lost his mind. He told me him and the nurse know what they are doing. He’s an older guy very matter of fact. He basically told me to shut up professionally.
my dog was gentle, lapping up the love from the receptionists. It was hard to believe this happened. That’s what I mean by I felt better momentarily. It felt like before. But then I started thinking again.

I help re-home dogs - many of whome do have bite histories, and some of which are larger, and stronger, than OPs dog.

So, as my mother would say, pipe down.

@Lisa231186 the vet would have muzzled him if he was worried, but I can imagine how on edge you were.

Just try to take it day by day, overthinking will drive you mad.

Hey, sorry to jump on this. But with your experience I just wanted to reach out. So I spoke to Deborah from the rescue charity today. Honestly such an angel. We spoke for over 45 minutes. Was only supposed to be a quick chat. Just want to say thank you for what you do as a profession. It can make a huge difference to people’s lives and I’m so glad I’ve had the conversation today I did. I feel like I might actually get some sleep tonight. Also, and I know you can’t be sure. But she did say sort of along the lines of not to make such a big decision right now whilst I’m in shock. And that he sounds like he’s very special to us etc. Whereas I was thinking I need to make the decision asap. What are your thoughts?

I was sure he would be muzzled. I even offered on Friday when I called. I said shall I bring him in a muzzle and they said no if we feel we need to we will (I’ve never done it before)
he was just so chill there, as he has always been. Laid on his back in the reception for the belly rubs from the receptionist. She was who I spoke to on Friday when I booked so she knew the back story. I said don’t feel you have to won’t be offended and she was like oh no he’s a good boy and petted him. He was laid there tongue out.

for someone who doesn’t usually over think, honestly hats off to people who have to deal with overthinking all the time. It must be hell.

Well hubby is back now with the dog (I’ve put my foot down with the walking in the evenings) so he is doing the evening one. So better come off for a bit or I’ll get it in the ear for listening to other people again. Will report back after the behaviourist on Wednesday

The people touching dogs is so common though - some people think they have a right to. I would hazard a guess you maybe did not have the same experience with your GSD.

The big difference I think you need to bear in mind is that at home your dog is not on a lead, and when he has had enough can head off to his quiet space. He has a choice and an exit route. On the incident with the postman he had a strange man in his face and was on a lead. He was out of his comfort zone, had nowhere to go, so snapped at the man and got his lip.

I had a friend with a GSD. Her (drunk) partner blew a raspberry on the dog's stomach which cause it to snap and gave a similar injury to the postman. She kept the dog, and chastised her partner for being stupid. One off incident, never happened again.

It is just about having boundaries.

@Lisa231186 I'm glad I was able to help!

Honestly, I completely agree with the woman you spoke to and I would give it a few more days - but only if you're happy to have him in the house.

Despite what people on this thread say, re-homing a dog should never be done in haste because once your dog goes, you won't get him back. I have met so many people who have regretted giving up their dog and it's a horrible feeling to live with; that you gave up on them and you shouldn't have. It's the second worst feeling after the guilt of an owner who has prolonged their suffering dog's life because they didn't want to say goodbye - not because it was in the dogs interest.

We can all say what we would or wouldn't do (and as I've already said what I would do). This is your dog and it's your home and your children. Only you can really decide. But whatever you decide to do, don't be afraid to make hard or unpopular choices. You need to live with the decision you make, and whatever happens someone probably will be upset - all you can do is do what is right for you and your family.

No not at all with him. But with this dog, I guess the fluff, the derpy face. People are just sort of drawn to him. I think I mentioned I ordered a yellow reactive cover for his lead right away so that came today and he’s got that. We live quite rural so I took him on a 90 minute walk this morning on a route we wouldn’t see anyone and we didn’t. I’ll stick to that. It’s more if we take him to the pub after a walk for example. Our local pub has a picture of him on the wall. People constantly ask what is he, how handsome he is all of that and can they pet him. We’ve always said yes. Never again. I have my hands up totally, that we have been really foolish on that side of things.
If we keep him, everything changes now.
And I would keep up the sessions with the behaviourist to make sure I’m doing the right things.
Ive gone over “why did you stop and chat”
“why didn’t you say oh don’t put your head down there please”
it goes on and on. But bottom line is I didn’t, and I’ll never forgive myself :(

edit people used to actively avoid the GSD at all costs! Cross the road. It’s the opposite with this dog

She said the same, I asked can i ever see him again and she said no (which in hindsight is obvious) She said we could email for updates but it might be easier for us in the long run to draw a line and try to sort of move on

I'd say it's probably the third worst feeling after your dog has bitten half your child's face off but hey ho.

Regardless of what anyone else feels, and as much hurt snd heartbreak it may cause to re-home, all you have to ask yourself is, “Can you imagine being able to trust him around your children again?”

Because ultimately that’s the most important thing to consider.

hmmm...maybe its the owners at fault...just a thought

No need to be so hysterical, even if you clearly know nothing about dogs you have ruled yourself out of consideration by the inane amount of exclamation points.

I think you need to go and have a nice lie down. You are really coming across as quite unhinged.

I think I will echo the vet’s advice and say get off the internet. It’s not helpful.
listen to the professionals who meet him in real life.
(and thanks for genuinely reminding me that my dog-also extremely friendly-is still an animal and not to be 100 percent trusted)

I hope you’ve got pet insurance in case the postman makes an injury claim. Sorry yo say but i don’t think it’s an accident, it’s an incident. Your dog is unpredictable so should be muzzled in public to protect other people and yourself.

As already stated multiple times now I’ve already checked with the insurance and I’m covered and I’ve also said I would totally get if he did

Yeah I think maybe that’s the best idea now too. I am really grateful for all of the points which have been genuine advice both for and against. Some people really do come across as a bit mental but the majority have been very helpful. And also the professionals who’ve commented too, I really appreciate so thanks again. All constructive criticism has been taken on board.

I think if I can ever take anything positive from this it will be that I will always try to remind people that. As I certainly fell into the trap of thinking my dog would never do it. And he did.
Ultimately if I didn’t let people get in his face as I have this wouldn’t have happened :(

Rubbish. On that basis every single large dog should be put down. Any dog can bite in the wrong circumstances.

But most don't actually do it. And that's the point.