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.

The exact same thing happened to me with my dog when my 14 year old cornered her and kept putting his face on hers (i did tell him not to and he had done it many times before) but that was 4 years ago and never happened again so please dont make decisions in haste. It wasn't an attack. Sounds like he got spooked even if did know the letter and felt cornered. You can get vests for dogs that say "please give space ' keep him on lead and monitor kids to not approach him from above. I dont day this lightly as very cautious around dogs and children but honestly reading this it did not sound like he is likely to suddenly savage anyone. Please try to put it behind you and not show fear or spook him. I was also shocked and mortified but both child and dog are best friends and never happened again. Just educate kids and dont leave them alone for a while if worried. Sounds like will cause upset all round to re home now and I'll bet that your dog would protect your children from any other dog that was likely to attack them (which is more likely in my very humble opinon)

Give the postman a really nice present and be more cautious. If your dog was deemed a risk you would have been told as much. A lot of dogs don’t like eye-to-eye contact. It sounds like the postman’s behaviour unnerved him. That’s all.

I think what they are trying to say is a very valid point though - there are so many people on here just saying PTS and honestly I feel like the person asking sounds like they may be swayed to do that if the masses demand it EVEN THOUGH the situation sounds like it is very different from some others where there is a clear issue.

Imagine if we listened to these people who just go to worst case scenario straight away. No one would have any pets, play parks wouldn't exist because they would be too dangerous for children, no-one would have any hobbies for fear or hurting themselves. No one would ever go on holiday because travel is too risky. The world would be a very sad place. Sometimes a balanced point of view is needed, save the naysayers swaying the people who are desperately just in search of sensible advice to help them in a difficult time.

Jesus, poor you. have you heard from the postman? I'm not sure what the law is around this but I think if I got bitten in the face doing my job I'd be reporting to the police. Just like when I was bitten in the hand by a dog when I was running (Apparantly I "frightened" the dog when I ran past. there are too many excuses made for aggressive dog behaviour.
Personally I would not have this dog in my home, never mind around children. Feel for you though. But don't become one of those people who blames everyone but the dog

some dogs don't like eye to eye contact, bloody hell, really I've heard it all now

Sorry but the punishment does not fit the crime. Small warning nip on lip that shouldn't have been that close in the first place on one side. Death on the other. 🤔

Thank goodness you do not run the justice system in this country or anywhere else. Dogs aren't people but they deserve better than just "put them down then".

I understand that and if you take this at face value, then yes it’s valid to say this dog is safe.
However, this is my job. You would be horrified at people’s incorrect perceptions of dog behaviour and I’ve learnt over the many, many years I’ve been doing this to take limited notice of anyone’s perception of a situation - very often they are totally wrong

Im simply urging caution from every side. And asking that the professionals in this case are people who are listened to. Not internet warriors on either side of the argument. Snap judgements by those without experience and training are often wrong. The chances of that happening when it’s an interpretation of a few sentences here by the OP are even higher than normal

Anyway @Lisa231186 , hope the behaviour assessment went ok today

Hi,

I have experience with extremely large dog breeds and we take in large rescue dogs, foster them, and re-home them. I also have 3 children. Sometimes they will bite if they're in pain, feeling anxious, unwell, or when someone gets eye-level and in their face - Never ever get in a dogs face no matter the size and breed! It's dangerous. Those who say it's OK and their dog has never done anything...it hasn't done anything -yet-.

Don't stress on it because your dog will pick up on it and it will escalate.

You've done all of the right things! It'll be alright.

Hello. Sorry to hear this. I would not rehome dog it sounds very much an isolated incident. He may have lunged at postman as thought he was coming down to his level and either caught him by surprise and panicked the dog or could even have thought he was playing and bit his lip . My dogs often play quite rough and playing can appear aggressive. Especially in your breed. I would try not to dwell on it but as a precaution warn people not to drop down to his level unexpectedly. If you are still uneasy you could muzzle him but I personally would not at this stage unless the dog started showing aggressive tendencies . Just keep your eye on the situation

For everyone who is saying "you know nothing about dogs". Yes "we" know nothing about dogs, yet we - as a society- are forced to put up with them on a daily basis biting strangers because they made eye contact, and covering every inch of our pavements with shit and urine. I think we know enough

My dear old terrier bit my face once when I was cuddling her. I went straight to the vet as this was completely out of character. She had an infection and a temperature despite showing nothing which is Nature's protection mechanism. It was a good lesson to me, never put my face next to any dog. You're doing your best here. If you're not happy with the dog at home, then you need to decide whether you are able to pass the worry onto someone else or have the dog euthanased. So sorry for your predicament

Exactly this. She is spot on. The man got in the dog's face. This is an absolute no no behaviour for any dog and he was in a public space. Placing him with an already stretched rehoming centre having him spend cold months in kennels waiting where behaviour may deteriorate isn't likely to help. When I was a child my own spaniel was bitten by a German Shepherd next door and I was terrified of the breed ever since but it was completely different. My dog put his nose through the fence and the dog locked on and wouldn't let go..it was always an aggressive dog, barking at us when we went into the garden.. This isn't that. You sound like a highly responsible and empathetic person who is giving yourself an overly hard time..please be kind to yourself and your dog and keep strangers at bay. It was not the postman's fault as he didn't think but I remember being told by other dog owners when I was younger to not approach, let them get my scent first and decide to approach and he will be or should be on a lead in public spaces so please give yourself a break and move on. Everyone you know and trust has told you this even police. Only a few anti dog people here jumping on to freak you put even more than you already are..your vet is right dont listen to them. Get off this thread now please, talk to behaviour therapist and live your life with your family, of which your dog is a part of, and try to stop obsessing. Humans lash out too when cornered or scared. The environment can be controlled but relax or he will start to tense. I wish all dog owners were as thoughtful as you and you deserve to all be happy.

@Lisa231186 I hope the behaviourist appointment went well and that your shock has started to subside.

I was bitten by a dog in the same manner as a child. He wasn't put down and neither would I have wanted him to be. He caught my lip - and I wasn't in his face. I think he jumped to greet me and it was a genuine accident. I really feel for you. Ignore the anti dog brigade you are doing everything you can to make sure it doesn't happen again. Keep yourself and your family safe. This is all very raw for you at the moment, and I agree you are in shock and heartbroken as I would be. You love your dog, he is part of your family and has not done anything before, there has been an accident do not write him off. Take precautions. Get advice, all that you are doing. If the professionals think he is a danger you may have to think know again but it doesn't sound like they do. In the meantime give yourself a break. Get the postie some beers - he seems a decent sort - thank goodness. Take care and give yourself and your dog time to get over this. Then make a clearheaded decision not a rushed stressed one.
P.S still an dog lover with my own despite having my lip split and stitches at age 10.

Yes completely concur with you
Immensely well commented 💚

What a lovely lovely man that postman is

Thank you for posting. It must be really difficult for you and it's great that you're being open and honest about it. It shows that dogs really are animals and that none of them can be 100% trusted (despite what many owners say. Just wait for some responses on here... There will still be some dog owners who swear their dog would never bite anyone.) You are bound to be a bit wary and I hope that the vet or behaviourist can help you.

@Lisa231186so what happened? Assume you kept the dog?!

Yes I hope they kept their dog💚