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.

I was attacked by a dog and nothing has been done. I still see the dog and it goes bat shit crazy at anyone passes.

Who's to say your response is normal?
In fact, the response of most people here and those rhe op has contacted suggest you are the outlier.

You couldn’t be any further from being right here I’m sorry. My parents have said immediately they will take him before we re home him (as previously mentioned they are very experienced Mal owners) although they are getting on and although they don’t like to admit it, honestly they aren’t in the right stage of life for a dog anymore. My best friend who knows him so well has also said the same. She has 2 small dogs of her own who we have overnight all the time (she’s single and has a better social life than me) but again her lifestyle doesn’t really suit this breed.
Nobody wants to see him put down, that’s a wild statement. Nobody even wants to see him rehomed away from us. Im probably the only one who’s considering it, and also as i have mentioned feel kind of alone in my thoughts of it. Like the bad guy.

Sorry, maybe I’m tired but what does your reply have to do with what I said? You didn’t answer either of my questions and your comment presupposes you know what is inside the head of every person the Op knows, which you don’t. You think the dog should be put down, so you short sightedly assume everyone else does too, whereas those of us who know something about dogs are saying why not support the Op to find out what happened and whether there is a risk of recurrence before destroying a healthy, well loved animal. Who is being more balanced and reasonable here, clue I don’t think it’s you.

The dog has not attacked anyone. He reacted defensively to someone getting in his face which scared him. Most people know not to get right up into a dog's face without warning as that can sometimes frighten them, which can lead to them lashing out in fear.

I've read your full thread
Personally,as a dog owner with 4 DC ..I could never trust him around my DC again.
In your shoes I would give him back to the breeder,if she would take responsibility for him..
He needs a fresh start with someone able to confidently train him.

I would keep him completely separate from my DC untill he leaves the home

If this is not possible..I'm afraid he needs putting down ..he bit someone's face ..
I'd never trust him again in your shoes

Also .sorry I should of said
I appreciate how difficult this is for you ❤️
This is my worst nightmare as well

I really appreciate your comment as you’re obviously super knowledgeable in the rehoming field which is really helpful.
I’ve just reached out to a specialised husky/malamute re home charity I’ve found. I’ve explained the situation throughly and been totally transparent. Was a hard email to write and believe me I’m sobbing still now let alone as I was typing it :( but I think knowing where we stand will be a good thing, if it’s even an option now we’ve had this happen.
I won’t make any final decisions until I’ve met the professionals this week but I guess the more I know the better. Thanks

I have heard back straight away from the rehoming centre I emailed:

“Sorry to hear of the stressful situation.

To me it does sound like an isolated incident and regardless of his previous soft behavior the post man shouldn't have gotten in his face, many dogs can react to that even if they haven't before. I'm glad he reiterated to the police that it was an accident.

I know it's hard after a scary incident but try to act natural around him as he could feed off your anxiety. You have already done the right thing by seeing the vet, booking a behaviorist and telling the kids to give him space.

In the meantime I would recommend keeping your distance from people whilst on walks just in case he is feeling anxious. I would also recommend seeing what the behaviorist says after spending one on one time with him.

If you do decide after this that you would like to re-home him please read the below. As he is so special to you I wouldn't recommend making a decision whilst you are still in shock.

Unfortunately at this moment we are overwhelmed with dogs needing our help, whilst we will still carry out our assessments and place them on our foster waiting list, we can not guarantee a time we will be able to bring them into our care. But we will try our best.

If you can fill out the below relinquish form, once received a member of the team will be in touch to discuss the rehoming process and arrange an assessment of the dog”

What did the breeder say
Has she got back to you yet .
She has a responsibility to you ,she brought the dog in to the world,so she should be taking him ack

Back

Yes we’ve been in daily contact since. She is very much upset too and although she hasn’t offered. I do think if it comes to it, there is a chance she will help. I don’t think 3 years later I personally expect her to take him back. As others have pointed out and I take on board I may have gone wrong myself. Especially with just assuming the dog is happy with strangers petting him. It’s on me not her :( but she’s well connected in the breed community so I hope she might at least be able to assist.

1000 X this. I suspect you think your dog loves attention, but there is a very strong chance that what you are seeing is appeasing behaviour, where your dog is very uncomfortable and attempting to "play nice" to get the interference to go away. You need to talk to your behaviourist about this specifically.

The postman was ridiculously ignorant and did everything wrong here. Never approach a dog directly from the front, never bend over a dog, never put your face right into theirs and never touch the head and face. The dog was on a lead and had his escape route severely restricted, the postman blocked his vision forward, reduced his escape angles and was displaying body language that to the dog was aggressive and intimidating. The snap was a warning most likely out of fear and desperation. I think the Postie recognises he should never have put himself in this position.

You have done everything right in your response to this. I think you need to stop allowing people to approach your dog and touch him, give him his body autonomy. Get a yellow lead, or lead cover, and put yourself between strangers and your dog when they approach you to prevent them from interfering with him and getting in his personal space. Obviously work with your behaviourist so you can walk your dog more effectively, safely and comfortably for both of you. Ensure your dog has a safe space at home that no one is allowed to touch him so he can take himself there when he wants peace.

I think we can see from this thread you have already decided that the dog will be staying with you, good luck and I pray that he doesn’t do this again.

I totally agree with everything here. And these are all things I am going to bring up with him. Also want to discuss the theory around him protecting me, as I have been really unwell. Like a resource guarding issue maybe. Regardless of the outcome, I will be making big changes around strangers.
Oh and I ordered a yellow lead cover, it arrives tomorrow. Thanks for the advice

The dog trainer has probably pointed up the crucial point. Your dog may even have been protecting you, none of us can perfectly read characteristics & reactions in another creature.
My DD had an accident with her own lurcher (she about 23yr at the time) several yrs ago. He was always somewhat difficult as he’d been born deaf & been cruelly treated by his 1st owners.
She was walking him as always on a very long lead but he’d got himself tangled in brambles, DD was releasing him but he yelped as her head was close to his & by pure accident 1 of his canines caught just inside her lip. There was a small hole & loads of blood, she carried him home because of the thorns in his skin!
She was fairly apprehensive around him whenever he barked for maybe a couple of years. All family loved him v much ( apart from DD’s cat who was adept at ambushing a deaf dog🙄). He was put to sleep at grand age of nearly 18, only a few weeks ago. DD has built a charming remembrance memorial for her special irreplaceable friend.

I wonder OP if it might help you, to write down the whole ’scene’, it could help to sort it out & leave it all on paper.

I hope you can feel a little better about this soon. 💐

I have emailed the re homing charity? If I had decided that I wouldn’t have done that.
This happened on Thursday, it’s Sunday. I’ve not made a final decision. I have stated I won’t make any final decisions until after I speak to the professionals.
any decisions I make will be well thought out.

I am afraid it comes across as performative, as you have spent the day of the thread making excuses. I suggest talking to more than just one dog trainer (who are you already paying) and thinking about how others around you may feel. Think about the safety of other children in the park etc

PERFORMATIVE!!!! You really have no idea.

Neither the bloke bitten or the police are pursuing further action. The dog hasn’t been walked for a few days, you had been sick, someone got in his face. That breed needs a phenomenal amount of exercise… did the hackles go up, did he growl, was he staring, anything at all you can recall? Was he definitely being nasty, he could have done a lot of damage if that’s what he intended (I think it was a warning if anything, not aggression). Possibly needs not being met or even over excitement.
You’re doing all the right things, you are a responsible dog owner.

MN hates dogs OP.

No it doesn’t.🙄

Sounds like very good advice from the husky/malamute people @Lisa231186
He's still the boy you know and love, he still needs you right now.
You know your breed well, so do your parents, and your boy's breeder. Just exercise caution - as you clearly are doing - until he has been assessed. Please don't do anything hasty and end up regretting it. It genuinely doesn't sound as if the dog was at fault.
FWIW, totally in agreement with @Poshjock about allowing the dog more space and the choice not to be cuddled.

You are being incredibly unhelpful and unkind. If you have nothing constructive to say - do zip it. We teach children that. We shouldn't have to say it to what is, I presume, an adult.

OP - I'm so pleased you reached out to the charity and they've said what so many experienced dog owners on this thread have also said that your dog reacted to the postman being in his face.

Yes, this is on you. But it's also not entirely your fault. Children are taught not to get into dogs faces - so adults should know better.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it'll be what's best for your family and also for you dog. I am sorry though - I really can't imagine how horrible this must be for you.

What I will say, is if you do use a behaviourist - don't just stick to one. Speak to several. So many people listen to the first behaviourist they find and it's so often a mistake because just because someone is recommended, it doesn't mean they're good.

I wouldn’t be comfortable with him to continue living around my children. I would rehome the dog

So ,the dog is still in the home with your children.
You have bought a new lead for it
You clearly have no intention of removing the dog from the home .
I know this is hard
But your children must come first
You can never trust that dog around your children again.
At the end of the day ,it is an animal,it behaves like an animal ,it is not one of your children,it is not a member of your family..it is an animal that has bitten the face of someone who was at the hight of a child to it .
You are highly irresponsible to keep that dog in your home