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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:
xfilefan · 30/08/2013 10:32

(sorry crossed post)

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 10:36

I would say not to just keep him and see what happens - the biting will continue - he needs to be rehomed now before you get to the end of your tether and euthanaise him.
Zylkene does take about 2 weeks for its effects to kick in so wil help him long term but not your immediate family situation.

tabulahrasa · 30/08/2013 10:37

"I am amazed that people think euthanasia is the only option instead of the chance of a new home."

I don't think being PTS is the worst thing that can happen to a dog - this is not a happy dog despite the OP trying very hard to make it one.

MousyMouse · 30/08/2013 10:38

Have to remind some posters -the dog is not a threat to safety - its a little dog.

ffs, viva's dh could have lost his eye or part of his face. if that's not dangerous I don't know what is.

Methe · 30/08/2013 10:45

Living with a nasty vicious dog is ok as long as it can't kill you? Seriously?

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 10:47

Im not saying to live with him, im saying rehome him. And doesnt sound like hes 100% nasty - read how hes the dds best friend, sleeps on the bed etc - hes nasty to the dh. So may well be happy in a new home without a dd. Biting does not equal nasty, I can promise you that.

HaveToWearHeels · 30/08/2013 10:47

I think re homing a dog like this is simply passing on the problem to make you feel better, rather than thinking of the dog.
Kinder to let him go now in your arms, the person that loves him, rather than the next owner who may not give a dam.

I am a huge animal/dog lover however over the years of helping with rescue I have learnt there are some dogs you save and some you don't. OP it really sounds like you have done the best you can with this dog.

In my experience small dogs can do as much damage as a large dog.

Methe · 30/08/2013 10:48

Rehoming him would be hugely irresponsible.

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 10:48

(sorry should say without a dh) (but also without children)

GrimmaTheNome · 30/08/2013 10:50

Neutrally phrased advice like that is so much better. Smile

xfile - sadly you're mistaken that small dogs can't be a threat to safety. While they are highly unlikely to be able to kill anyone (beyond infancy), small dogs bred for hunting have jaws big and strong enough to inflict injury. We were extremely careful choosing our dachshunds because DH had one as a boy who was a biter, the brother of which bit its owner right through the nose.

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 10:50

If rehoming makes the dd feel better, what exactly is wrong with that? plenty of dogs that have bitten make excellent pets in the right place (without children).

Methe · 30/08/2013 10:54

"In the evenings and at weekends it's as stressful as hell as the dog spends most of his time lunging at dh. He chases dh upstairs, if dh shuts himself in his office the dog literally prowls in circles outside waiting for him. Dh can't move, talk, sneeze without the dog growling and snarling and me having to intervene."

You're telling me that isn't nasty?

Come on!

tabulahrasa · 30/08/2013 10:54

What would be the right place for this dog? It's got a major problem with the OP's DH, it's bitten her and visiting children...who does that leave?

GrimmaTheNome · 30/08/2013 10:58

A household of one or more adult females.

mrslaughan · 30/08/2013 10:59

What absolute bollocks that because it is not a little dog it is not a threat to safety -that is just the sort of bull shit that gets children killed - like the jack Russell that killed the baby several months back.

Yes you can avoid babies- but all it needs to do is go for the face (again) the person pull away and it to get the neck and clip an artery .... You will all say unlikely I know - but for it to bite so close to the eye.....

I know viva you want to wait for your daughter - but how long is she away? The dog sounds very distressed being away from her, and therefore un-predictable

GrimmaTheNome · 30/08/2013 10:59

But note in the OP she says that initially the dog was aggressive with her too so even adult females might still have problems.

tabulahrasa · 30/08/2013 11:00

"A household of one or more adult females."

But it bites them too.

HaveToWearHeels · 30/08/2013 11:01

xfilefan your comment makes no sense, how can you ever guarantee this dog will never come into contact with children ?
Anyway, this dogs aggression is not to a specific person, gender or age group. He had bitten OP's but not DD, yet has bitten DD's friend, it is random so you can not guarantee this dog not turning on other people.
This dog has a problem which being removed from the love of OP's DD made be made 100 times worse.

HaveToWearHeels · 30/08/2013 11:03

that should have read This dog has a problem which being removed from the love of OP's DD may be made 100 times worse

Methe · 30/08/2013 11:05

And who can guarantee the dog will never come in to contact with men? Postmen? Neighbours? Paramedics? The dog can get a muzzle off and is also dog aggressive.

It sounds like the dog has an absolutely wretched existence and would be better off dead.

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 11:05

At a rehoming centre he would be assessed by professionals in different situations and over a period of time. They would then make the decision on how suitable he is for rehoming. If hes a risk of severing an artery, then yes Im sure they would euthanaise him, and Im sure the OP would be allowed to attend so that this worry of having him die in someone elses arms was removed.

But it would be the responsibility of the expert behaviouralists at the rehoming centre to make the call - to be blaming the OP for the possibilities that may or may not happen in the future is unfair. I just think you should give the OP a break, theres nothing wrong with looking into rehoming options and Im sure the dd will be happier with a rehoming solution. And the dog gets another chance. Whats wrong with that?

HoleyGhost · 30/08/2013 11:06

A household of adult females who are looking to rescue a vicious dog.

Get real. This dog will never find a home where he will be as well looked after as he is now.

Viva - you have been put in a horrible position through no fault of your own. You have gone above and beyond for your dog.

In your shoes I would PTS as the dog will never be trustworthy.

HaveToWearHeels · 30/08/2013 11:08

I agree Methe this is a very sad and unhappy dog, it is simply not fair to pass it on where it's stress may well get worse.
Why would you put a dog you love through that pain simply to alleviate your guilt ?

HoleyGhost · 30/08/2013 11:10

Putting a dangerous dog in a rehoming centre may mean another dog gets pts due to lack of space.

Another dog that would be capable of becoming part of a new family in a way that this dog is not.

xfilefan · 30/08/2013 11:13

Or, its stress may well not get worse. He could have a long and happy life as mine have done with me despite being bitters when I adopted them, and have had a wonderful 8 years with me.