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Original poster

Advice please, Dog biting

43 replies

Claire2009 · 06/10/2009 21:49

Jack Russell x Border Collie. Have had her since she was 3mths old, took her on temporary for a friend and ended up keeping her.
Brought up with my DD & DS (aged 2 & 3yo) and been fine with them, up until 2wks ago.

2wks ago, she bit DS just under his eye, breaking the skin and it bled, not loads but enough to make me panic. He wasn't doing anything to her, just sat by her (she was sat by the front door, and DS next to her) and she snapped and bit him.

This morning, she bit DD (3.7yo). DD was cuddling the dog, she does this all the time and the dog has never reacted like this (well until this morning) dog snapped and bit DD on the cheek, not breaking the skin but leaving a nasty red mark/teeth line - I'd say that mark will be there a few days/week.

What the hell do I do? Why is the dog doing this all of a sudden? Does she need 'knocking down' in the pecking order or something (no idea how to do this if so)?

She is trained and generally well behaved, but she has bitten twice now and I'm worried.

When I tell her off she snarls at me, and snaps at me, I don't know why she's doing this but when she done it this morning I shouted "NO" at her and put her in the garden. This is what I did when she bit before.

What would you do?

OP posts:

minimu · 07/10/2009 10:44

Get the vet to refer to a behaviorist asap. Collies can nip it is in their instinct to nip when herding so a behavourist with collies knwoledge would be vital. Don't not think this problem will go away it will not and will only get worse without treatment. The Behaviourist should be able to help make the decision re management or rehoming.

Good luck and hope it all works out - let us know what happens

bandanna · 07/10/2009 20:17

Interested to hear how you got on at the vets?

Original poster

Claire2009 · 07/10/2009 22:29

Vet checked her over, she seems in fine health, she has given me a few phone number for dog behaviourists, but said the decision was entirely up to me (Re, rehoming/working with her). I'm still undecided. Dog and kids have been entirely seperated all day.

OP posts:

BrigitBigKnickers · 07/10/2009 22:51

My DH had a jack russell cross when I first knew him. It had nipped me a few times on the leg grazing the skin- my complaints fell on deaf ears when I mentioned this to his parents- they said the dog was just playing/ it was an accident. Not long after it attacked me, biting me very seriously on the face, totally unprovoked no snarling, showing of teeth- nothing.

I wasn't doing anything other than being stupid enough to sit on the floor while the dog was at head height above me on a chair. It grabbed me by the lips and did not let go till the flesh ripped. My bottom lip was torn in half, the top lip had a large lump hanging off it.

I was fortunate enough to be referred to the plastic surgery and burns unit that just happened to be in the town where I lived.

The surgeon who sewed me up was Europe's leading cleft palate surgeon and he just happened to be on call the night I was taken in. I shudder to think what I might now look like had such an expert not been available. Initially I had 20 stitches. I had a further repair job on my top lip 18 months later.

The point of this story? Could you really ever forgive yourself looking at a permanent scar on your DCs face knowing that it was because you couldn't make a difficult decision.

Get rid of the dog.

Original poster

Claire2009 · 07/10/2009 23:07

Omg, BBK. You poor thing

You're right, I'd be heartbroken if the dog bites again and does some real damage, I can't live with that fear.

I'm going to re-home her, any tips? Should I call as rescue centre or ?

OP posts:

BrigitBigKnickers · 07/10/2009 23:12

Sorry to have been so brutal Claire but you are making the right decision.

Not sure about how to rehome but if you bump tomorrow you may well find someone who can advise.
Take care x

slimeoncrazydemon · 07/10/2009 23:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Claire2009 · 07/10/2009 23:23

I agree, I will rehome her asap. I'm not taking anymore risks, twice is twice too many.

OP posts:

DailyMailNameChanger · 07/10/2009 23:25

Claire, go to somewhere like dogs trust, the rspca are ok but not brilliant, the other place could be a breed rescue. I guess you could try both russell and collie rescue, hopefully one or other would be able to help.

Sorry it has come to this after all the work you have already done

Whatever happens of course you do always have to put your dc first.

Original poster

Claire2009 · 07/10/2009 23:26

Thanks DMNC, I'll look online for numbers to call in the morning.

OP posts:

PoppyIsApain · 07/10/2009 23:32

When they snarl back when you tell them off that normally means they believe they are higher up in the pack

Original poster

Claire2009 · 08/10/2009 00:04

I am aware of that Poppy, as I said in my OP, I was asking how to 'knock her down' in the pecking order like. (I'm tired and not wording right now). What's the for?

OP posts:

hatwoman · 08/10/2009 00:41

I'm a dog lover -and I think you're doing the right thing. much as I hate to say it though (as it possibly has even worse implications) you must also be honest about why you're rehoming her - whoever takes her on needs to know. it may still be worth talking to the bevaiourist, as well as relevant rehoming people, as a behaviourist might have advice on rehoming a difficult dog - or even contacts that could help you. BBK's story is horrific - and goes to show just how much damage even a small dog can do.

BionicEar · 08/10/2009 01:33

Sorry to hear that your dog has gone the way it has, but agree that it probably for best dog is rehomed preferably with someone who doesn't have kids.

I have been bitten twice by dogs, both times unprovoked - both times they were small dogs - one a J Russell, and both were rescues dogs.

It's not worth the risk, particularly if the dog has bitten more than once.

Hope you managed to find somewhere for the dog, and I know it'll be hard for you all at first without the dog, as it'll be part of your family, but better to be safe than sorry.

Bigboots · 08/10/2009 09:59

So glad you've decided not to keep her - but you MUST tell Dog's Trust (or whoever you let her go to) that she cannot be trusted with children and has bitten twice, once breaking the skin. Please don't play this down. BBK so glad you told Claire2009 your story.

And (sorry to go on) do it as soon as poss - the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes. Let us know how you get on.

HKT · 08/10/2009 12:47

Sorry you've had to make such a difficult decision I think you've made the right one though, if there are no explanations as to why the dog bit in the first place.
Please don't take the dog to the RSPCA, they have a horrible reputaion - Dogs Trust or Blue Cross are much better, and definately go along with Bigboots suggestion and tell them everything you can about the dogs hisory, it'll make rehoming so much easier for the dog.

Original poster

Claire2009 · 08/10/2009 22:58

I emailed the local dog rescue and I've just got online now, they've replied asking me to call tomorrow and they will put the dog on their waiting list. I explained in the email that the dog has bitten twice and cannot be rehomed with children and will tell the rescue also.

Thankyou.

OP posts:

BrigitBigKnickers · 09/10/2009 10:02

Well done Claire- hope you hear from them soon.

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