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.

No!

OP I have years of experience with dogs, working with them and having my own. I think it was a warning bite, a dog like that could have done immense damage, he clearly was holding back. I wouldn’t let him near my kids for a while though and never unsupervised. Also drum into the kids dog body language signals and that they must always respect his space. Your confidence in him will return but maybe not quite as it was and that’s how it should be. No dog is 100% reliable.

Put it to sleep.

I think you’ve had some really good advice here and it looks Ben like you’re doing everything right, moving forwards. The only thing I would add is don’t do anything quickly. You’re clearly still in shock and I think you need to “recover “ before you make any decisions that can’t be reversed.

we also have big dogs. In the home our big babies are just oversized lap dogs and who follow us around as if they’ll not be able to breathe if we sit on the loo for too long.

I mean - wtf is wrong with some people? This is a dog which has proved itself aggressive. It has bitten someone.

You take it to a rehoming place and you have two options - you are either honest about its aggression in which case the dog will probably live out its days caged up in a kennel, or you lie, in which case the risk is that it is rehomed into a place where it does exactly the same thing again.

Come on. Sometimes putting to sleep is not the worst option.

I'd get in touch with your home/pet insurers in case the postman makes a personal injury claim against you.

I can tell how shaken you are but this really does sound like an accident My biggest problem with dog owners who think their very placid dog could never bite is thus. They are all dogs and all dogs can and might bite in a situation such as this. Some tiny trigger which pokes some instinct in them. I've been bitten by 3 different dogs, two of which were lovely dogs. You need to get this into perspective. This was a small bite when the dog felt intimidated not a full blown attack. Your dog is not an aggressive dog but it reacted as it could always have done. Anyone who owns any dog should always exercise caution around children even if their dog never reacts and "loves" it when little Billy leans on him etc. Don't make any rash decisions and wait for the vet to give him a full check over.

Put the Postman to sleep as he was an idiot to lean over the dog and put his face in the dogs face.

People don’t realise that their breath is very attractive to dogs and they can smell food the person has previously consumed etc.

i doubt the dog will do it again but you have to be very careful that you don’t become histrionic around the dog as that will make the dog aware something v is wrong and he will sense your over emotional state and react accordingly.

the postman loomed over him and put his face in your dogs face - very threatening from the dogs perspective. He snapped and caught his lip. It wasn’t a sustained attack, it was an accident. Obviously you need to be careful with your children doing the same thing and any of their friends but it sounds like this was an isolated incident.

The trouble with threads like this is they gather 2 very polar groups of people.

1. Dog haters. Morons who have no idea what they are talking about, spouting ‘kill the dog’ at every opportunity
2. Saviours. Well meaning but just as silly. Deflecting serious behaviour issues because they care about the dog enough that they are willing to blame everything on the people around it and take no heed of the basic safety of all concerned

There will be a few - usually the very experienced or professionals - who take a middle ground. You are doing all the right things OP.
It may come to rehoming, or even pts sometimes, but a step by step measured approach is what’s needed here and what all the professionals you’ve had contact with so far have suggested.

Only scanned through your post quickly but it looks like you’ve done everything you can. Vet appointment is important as pain can cause usually calm dogs to lash out. If the postman got right in his face then I’m sorry to say but that was a bad move on his part, the general public need to be more aware of how not to approach dogs. Most dogs feel intimidated by people putting their faces in their face. It’s always a no no for me. Sounds like your dog may have done a warning nip rather than a full on attack. This isn’t your dogs fault, so agree with advice not to treat him differently. Has there been fireworks lately that have caused him to feel on edge or upset? Could be a build up of things.

I’m so sorry this has happened but honestly you’re doing everything a responsible owner would do; contacting dogs trust; vet and police. You may never know why this happened but you’re taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again, and that’s the main thing. Definitely don’t punish your dog or change your behaviour towards him, this will make things worse and he won’t understand. The incident is over and he won’t think twice about it now as it’s done, so just love him as you always do and know you’re taking all the right steps

I have found that people who enthusiastically advocate killing dogs after one incident, without taking into account exacerbating factors are usually extremely rigid of thought and often excessively punitive towards all people, in all areas of their lives, if they deem them to have Stepped Out Of Line. Best ignored.

So a good friend of mine could have written this post. Family friend dog (same breed). Always gentle, lovely family pet, wonderful demeanour, happy dog etc. No issues at all etc.

One day went absolutely savage on my friend at the age of about 10. For not reason. No change in anything and knew my friends well. He still bears the multiple very long bite and tearing scars on his shoulders, back, arms and chest.

Why am I sharing this? Because it’s never foreseeable until it happens and it’s always a surprise until the worst occurs.

I grew up with big dogs so don’t have a fear or issue with them. But it’s bite size and it’s children and frankly I wouldn't take the chance.

You are taking all the right steps but it’s an animal and it has bitten once. As the dog gets older its demeanour can change. Are you willing to take that chance? Would you drive a car that has a 5% chance of the brakes failing with your children in the car? It’s an extreme example but other context may be importnat for the seriousness going forward.

Absolutely NOT.
Not the way to go. You don't just kill off a dog immediately!
This was an isolated incident, and quite frankly anyone that looms over a dogs face is an idiot, not implying that they deserve to be bitten, but you can't expect a dog not to react!

You just put measures in place so that it never happens again.
The dog does NOT need to be rehomed, absolutely does NOT need to be euthanised.

Just want to add as have seen previous post, certainly not deflecting what’s happened here, just trying to understand why your usually calm dog has responded like this. There is usually an explanation and pain/sudden injury/illness can cause very out of character behaviour

Also ensure you get a behaviourist with proper qualifications, or use a dogs trust one who will be experienced. There’s lots out there nowadays who have done an internet course, shove on a slip lead and bollock the dog and call it a day. Positive, force free and a holistic approach is the right way

You are understandably shocked and worried and doing all you can as a responsible owner. I dint think you need to rehome or muzzle just get back to normal

THIS. This dog does not need to be euthanised. You sound like an incredibly responsible owner and are taking so many steps to prevent an issue in future

Did you do any reading up on breeds before you got him? He’s one of the most dangerous breeds there are and frankly one
of the last types I’d get if I had children🤷‍♀️😬

first quote on a search on malamute is this:

“They are not recommended for first-time owners, and potential dangers include potential aggression towards other dogs or small animals, and a risk of serious injury if they bite, especially children.”

the postman sounds like he will be scarred for life - can you imagine what the damage would have been if it had been one of your children or worse another persons child?!?!

perfonally I would take him to be put down on Monday. You can’t have him living with your children as you can’t keep him away from them or them away from him 24/7 and could never trust him again. You can’t pass him on to anyone either! There’s thousands of dogs who haven’t bitten waiting for homes so why would someone choose a dog that has?

I am being more realistic in my answer than the other “oh it was just an accident” ones because I am being more honest and saying what people are really feeling 🤷‍♀️

You are doing all the right things. Getting him checked at the vet (if he is unwell or in pain this could explain behaviour changes, engaging a behaviourist and generally keeping things calm for him.

Dog needs to be PTS, horrible situation for you and your family, and the postman of course. It doesnt matter how your dog perceived the postman's face to face contact, if he has done it once, he is capable of doing it again. The only responsible action is to have him put down.

I’m going to use this as an example for my point - not having a pop at you personally as ive seen you post sensible advice already

Internet diagnoses with people categorically stating, as you have here, that this dog is safe is just as wrong as those idiots saying the dog MUST be pts
None of us have met this dog. None of us know

Thank you for all your comments. I am reading them all and taking them all in.
currently feeling a bit overwhelmed, I’m super emotional. Trying to sort of juggle this going around and around in my head with keeping things normal and happy with the kids making sure they are enjoying Halloween weekend.
I’ll try to come back to everything later when they are in bed x

Take a middle line. Keep going for now whilst this is investigated but put a muzzle on the dog in public. Try and stop every other person patting the dog. I never pat a dog unless it really wants me to.Some dogs just put up with this (and people think they like it) and then snap when it gets too much.

Maybe he needs further training, or you may need some guidance from a trainer on how to handle him. He could be bored or does not see you as the pack leader.

I’d be wary of this dog, a bite out of no where, no bite inhibition and with no warning signs is a red flag.

I would ask the vet to do a full medical assessment for pain and if nothing is found I would put this dog to sleep.

Oh God you poor thing OP. What a terrible thing to happen.
I think you're doing all the right things, but ultimately, I would never be able to relax when my children is around a dog that has a history of aggression. There's a lot of blaming the postie here for "looming" over the dog, but only you know if he had simply approached a dog who he knew was normally friendly, to give him some fuss.
I know that for me, that trust would be gone, and I also know that I could only rehome to specialists, familiar with the breed and the whole story and the huge amount of space that breed needs.

My dog did something similar, was the softest dog imaginable. But one day outside a shop a stranger walked past very close to him and wiggled his hand in front of his face. He snapped at him but didn't touch him.
We were like you, very worried about what to do. We booked a vet appointment for the Monday (this was a Saturday morning) however by the Sunday morning we had to race him to an emergency vet as he had collapsed, it turns out he was very very ill with a ruptured stomach, which the vet said he would have been feeling very ill the day before. We felt so guilty as he didn't seem ill and we took him on a long walk the previous day and other than the snapping he was absolutely normal.

Please don't rush into anything until you've seen the vet.