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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Bloody dog just bit dh on the face.

336 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 23/08/2013 16:37

I'm in bits, I really thought things were getting better.

We've done everything, behaviourist, etc. only had the dog since May and he's been aggressive since we got him home. Initially with me and dh, now he's fine with me but still nips dh. Though its always been on the back of the leg before. Dog has always been fine with dd, always.

Dh bent down to pick a Pringles tube up off the floor and says the dog just launched himself at dh. I didn't see it happen, dh is dripping blood.

My head tells me this is the end of the road for the dog.

OP posts:
needastrongone · 30/08/2013 07:34

How are you feeling today Viva? Did you get any sleep?

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/08/2013 07:41

I got a bit thanks, dog behaved himself!

OP posts:
lougle · 30/08/2013 08:00

I'm so sorry Viva, that's a hard decision. On a practical note, will the vet practice ensure that he is pts by a female vet, or do you think the issue is your DH rather than all men?

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/08/2013 08:04

There's only female vets there so that won't be an issue.

OP posts:
idirdog · 30/08/2013 08:15

He sleeps on the bed but is such a dangerous dog he has to be pts Confused

There is medication that could be tried
There is crating
There are stair gates
There are muzzles
Thats keeps everyone safe until a home is found which will take time but is the owners responsibility to do so.
There is getting advice from a behavourist who sees the dog in the home situation

Viva has not tried many things and has only had the dog for 4 months.....
Viva has tried a few things that her DH did not take on board so they will not be effective.

Have you spoken to the vets about pts?

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/08/2013 08:19

We have tried a crate and we have tried a muzzle. He can get a muzzle off in less than 5 mins and that's a muzzle which the behaviourist fitted.

We can't use stair gates as the house is open plan.

He wouldn't have been able to sleep on the bed if dh was here as he'd have bitten dh for sure.

I have spoken to the vet and they said they'd do it, they've got his file and they know what he's like. The behaviourist said they'd support us in whatever we decide to do.

OP posts:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/08/2013 08:23

No ones said anything about medication though. What medication could be used and what would it do?

OP posts:
xfilefan · 30/08/2013 08:52

Theres lots of different medication that might be worth a try -Im suprised the vets havent suggested anything - how about zlkene for instance? And ahve you tried a different type of muzzle - in practice I find baskervilles much better than mikkis. But you still need to rehome him - have you spoken to any rehoming places now?

MousyMouse · 30/08/2013 09:01

viva I think you are doing the right thing.

I have read many of your threads and it really shines through that you care a lot.

GrimmaTheNome · 30/08/2013 09:11

idridog - you keep making assumptions about what Viva has and hasn't done - seems like she's tried a heck of a lot of things, so unsurprisingly hasn't listed them all until they come up. You've got lots of good advice and knowledge about dogs, it'd be more effective if you could put it over a bit more constructively. (Viva, being a sensible person who really is trying to do the best thing for her dog will pick out new information from your assumptions but not everyone on these threads will bother.)

Muzzles aren't a panacea - even if she can find one which stays on, presumably it has to come off to feed the dog and then putting it back on... fair chance the dog would bite the hand that fed it.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/08/2013 09:14

It's a Baskerville muzzle that we've tried.

Someone on here has contacted a sighthound rescue for me in the NE which sounds promising, they know the coordinator/rescue owner.

OP posts:
Maryz · 30/08/2013 09:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Maryz · 30/08/2013 09:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 09:24

great news about the rescue place Viva! So pleased for you, and your dd! Im sure hell get a lovely home! :)

Rooners · 30/08/2013 09:43

I'm genuinely a clueless twat but I still think it was a rotten thing to say. People just want to help.

idirdog · 30/08/2013 09:48

I have given practical advice but I will do it again and then leave this thread Grimma I am not making assumptions I have asked the OP and commented on many of her threads not just this one. She does drip feed a bit but if you read all the threads you will see this discussion.

  1. Go and get a full medical check over with your vet. Eyes, hearing, blood tests for thyroid and more. Not just a rub over and "things seem alright"
  1. Discuss calming medications zylkene, even prozac is prescribed to dogs there are many to choose from. This can take the edge off the dogs stress and make behavioural training easier for them.
  1. Train to use the crate - don't just try to use it the dog whines and barks then give up. Crate train your dog will need this space. Put treats into the crate regularly, feed in the crate, sit by the dog stroking it in the crate all positive interaction is around the crate. Put the crate in your DD room and let the dog sleep in there - I am right the dog sleeps with your dd.
  1. Muzzle baskerville can be attached to the collar and a well fitting muzzle should not be removed. Again train the use of the muzzle - feed through the muzzle, play games with the muzzle on eg pushing a football make the muzzle pleasurable - this usually takes about a day with most dogs.
  1. Increase exercise and check the food that the dog is being given. Make sure that it is a high quality kibble (if that is what you are feeding) that has no additivies
  1. DAP does not work so try pet remedy tends to work on dogs that do not react to DAP here
  1. Get in a behaviourist who can help you in your own home, they need to see the set up and your dogs reaction to OH in the house. They need to see your OH response and work out a realistic solution in your own home.
The behavourist will need to be able to come frequently to start with to help you overcome the problems that you are having eg giving up with crate training etc.
  1. The Behaviourist may also be able to help you rehome as well or put you in touch with rehomers.
  1. Remember very few dogs are just "aggressive". Aggression is 99.9% down to either frustration of fear. If the frustration or fear is removed you will never ever see the aggression symptom again.
  1. There is no need to pts this dog, I would take it myself but have already taken 2 MN dogs.
Pinupgirl · 30/08/2013 10:03

Put the dog to sleep-you are only prolonging his and yours unhappiness and running the risk of him really hurting someone-probably your dh. Its a dog at the end of the day and humans and their safety are far more important.

specialsubject · 30/08/2013 10:09

ditto - put it to sleep. I'm surprised your husband hasn't already said 'it's me or the dog'.

there are plenty of things you can try (as listed) but how many more attacks will there be?

I like dogs. But not vicious ones. Someone else did damage so you need not feel guilty. Or there is a physical reason for it.

LesserSpottedNeckSnake · 30/08/2013 10:14

You've taken two MN dogs idirdog? I didn't know that.

Methe · 30/08/2013 10:22

Put the damn thing down for goodness sake!

Booboostoo · 30/08/2013 10:22

I am so sorry you are still having such serious problems with your dog. I don't think you would ever make the decision lightly but if you think that PTS is the only option then I think you have an obligation to do it before the dog injures someone more seriously.

The only tiny thing I will say is that it is very odd that your behaviourist has not observed the dog in your home, interacting with your family. I would expect a comprehensive vet exam (including bloods) to be the first step in any consultation and then a home visit. So much becomes revealed in a home visit that can't be seen in an office that it's difficult to assess a dog without this.

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 10:26

Have to remind some posters -the dog is not a threat to safety - its a little dog. There could indeed be a physical reason for it -that is a good advice -has the vet given him a full medical including bloods? - he could be in pain and defending himself. It does sound as though he bites from fear to me since he has never bitten your dd. Training a dog to have boundaries etc is a long term thing that needs complete consistency. In a rehoming centre their behaviouralists would work to do this and find him a suitable home. I am amazed that people think euthanasia is the only option instead of the chance of a new home. I think its mean to be pushing the OP to something that would clearly be really traumatic for her dd - Surely the dd would be much happier to imagine the dog in a new home rather than killed.

I too would take him but but my jack russel wouldnt be happy and hes an elderly chap who deserves a quiet retirement.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/08/2013 10:28

I was struggling finding an accredited behaviourist to come to the house, nearest one is 40 miles away and wasn't keen to come.

Everyone on MN said to go to the one I have used as he's meant to be a national expert and one of the best in the country. So I went there, I was concerned about him not coming to the home. So when we went I'd taken loads of videos of how the dog is in the house to show them.

I spent weeks with treats and squeezy cheese trying to muzzle and crate train him. He's a lot better with the muzzle than what he was but if I turn my back he has it off again. He still hates the crate with a passion, won't go in it for treats no matter what they are and shits himself if he's put in it.

OP posts:
xfilefan · 30/08/2013 10:31

id also ditto booboostoo about your behavioralist - most will take on from referral from the vet after having a full medical. Im very suprised by some of the things yours has said/done too - not to castrate, cant fit a muzzle, hasnt been to the house etc... are they APBC registered? Im not saying to get another and keep trying, Im just saying that maybe your views on how hopeless this dog is have been skewed by failings that are not your fault. In the hands of an experienced rehoming place with one to one daily training this dog would quickly get a home (without children). Its so young and an interesting breed it will be snapped up.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 30/08/2013 10:32

He had quite a thorough medical but they didn't do bloods.

I've ordered some pet remedy and zylkene just now. Maybe we could give him a bit longer and see if that helps.

Dh looks like he's going to have a scar by the side of his eye so he'd probably disagree that the dogs not dangerous. But I get what you're saying that he's not a big dog and no ones goingto get mauled to death by him.

OP posts: