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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:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 26/08/2013 10:42

Well my part of the mutual decision is that I want to give the dog a bit more time, were going to reassess next weekend.

But seeing as its dh that the dog is aggressive towards I feel its only fair that if he disagreed with this plan then I have to give his views more weight and have the dog pts now if that's what he wants.

Poor dh has been bitten by an insect, possibly a spider while blackberrying yesterday and his hand and face (not near where the dog got him) has swollen up. He's ot having much luck.

OP posts:
Maryz · 26/08/2013 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Waffling · 26/08/2013 13:26

Are you sure it's not a reaction to the dog bite? They can become infected very quickly.

kazkiss · 26/08/2013 13:37

I am sorry but I a little perspective is needed here. Just because it is a small breed it should not be allowed to continue biting people! What if the dog we were taking about was a staffie!? Would we be talking about behaviourists or just muzzling outside? I have a staffie and if it showed the slightest aggression to anyone including my family it would unfortunately be PTs. Why are we treating this dog any differently because of its breed?

waikikamookau · 26/08/2013 13:44

can I just add that when you were sold the dog and the breeder mentioned about having a problem with the DH.
was there perhaps no man in her house?

isn't fear of men quite common with dogs, their deeper voices.

unless of course your dog had been returned.

can you contact breeder?

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 26/08/2013 15:06

No, it's not the dog bite. Other side of his face and very localised, plus a second insect bite on his hand has come up the same.

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Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 26/08/2013 15:09

Waikika, the breeder had a husband but I don't think he had anything to do with the dogs and I think the dogs spent most of their time in stables outside. I've left messages for the breeder but she's never got back to me, I can't get hold of her.

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pinguwings · 27/08/2013 22:26

Oh Viva!

I've followed your story ever since the death of your previous dog and been willing it all to be ok. The situation must be heartbreaking for you, your DH and DD.

I think you need to have a serious and frank discussion with all three of you on when enough is enough, otherwise the impact on your family life may reach a level where you can't fix it. I know you are fully aware of the situation and are trying to do the right thing by this dog. May be worth a discussion with your behaviourist about muzzling inside the house?

GoshAnneGorilla · 27/08/2013 22:38

This is crackers.

First you said the dog had bitten a load of people and now it's "just nips/bruises".

This animal drew blood biting your husband, but now it's all the fault of a 12 year old.

Having a pet is not meant to be this dangerous. I would not give house room to any pet that bit me, I think you are being horrendously unfair to your dh.

It's a dog, not a human and humans are meant to come before animals, particularly the humans you love and share your life with.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 27/08/2013 22:46

Yes it counts as a bite but as the behaviourist said the previous bites were inhibited bites which they made a big distinction over. Said that was very positive, I guess is escalated now. I referred to them later as nips as I was trying to point out the first ones weren't as serious.

I have never said its dd fault.

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WinkyWinkola · 27/08/2013 22:57

Okay. Keep the dog.

It will bite again.

I hope it is never more serious.

Meanwhile please don't invite children to your home.

Floralnomad · 27/08/2013 22:58

Have you managed to speak to the behaviourist today ?

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 27/08/2013 23:01

I've been at work all day so couldn't ring them. I've emailed, haven't had a reply yet.

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Empress77 · 27/08/2013 23:09

My jack russel and my previous dog, a patterdale who died last year, have 'nipped'/slightly bitten plenty of times and I never considered pts for them. I adopted them both at age 6 so dont feel that a bitter will never be rehomed - you could certainly try to rehome - rehoming centres are likely to give a previous biter to a family with no children anyway so you wouldnt have to worry about that. Also because its an interesting and small breed thats in his favour. Would definitely also rethink on the castration - if the other option is pts then isnt that worth a try? I am suprised your behaviouralist said not to?

CoolaSchmoola · 27/08/2013 23:39

It is a very big leap from an inhibited nip/bite to a proper bite.

My 12 year old dog has terminal bladder cancer. Her symptoms and pain are managed and she currently has excellent quality of life. She started nipping when being prodded in her belly by the vet when they were trying to diagnose her as it was very tender. She now guards her belly against hands even though she is painfree, and will nip if people touch her.

Because of this I keep her separate from all children, including my own, just in case they inadvertently hurt her. It is not fair on the children or the dog to put them in a situation where there may be a reaction.

If she ever bit anyone on the face, or drew blood, then she would be PTS. Hard as I absolutely adore her - but IMO there is a line, and that would cross it.

Your DH did everything right, bar ignoring the growl. You initially said you thought it was because he hadn't spoken to the dog - he has since told you he was speaking soothingly to it, and still it reacted aggressively.

Despite everything you have done, and it sounds like you really have done everything, your dog is becoming more aggressive, not less.

You are making excuses for the dog, and I think you know it. I completely understand why you are doing it, I would too, but the fact is your dog is aggressive, and he is getting worse.

FWIW my friend lost the sight in one eye when his GF's normally friendly JR took umbrage at him bending over to get something out of his bag. He hadn't done anything to provoke the dog, it just launched at him, bit his face and his eye just happened to be where it's teeth met. This could have been your husband had the angle been different - and this could be your daughter next.

I think if you have tried SO hard, and the result is a worse bite than previously it's time to put your family's safety first.

CoolaSchmoola · 27/08/2013 23:41

*and will nip if people touch her BELLY. She loves being stroked and loved as normal apart from her belly. I inadvertently made her sound like she won't tolerate any touching whatsoever!

CoolaSchmoola · 27/08/2013 23:42

Bold fail - BELLY I clearly need to go to bed...

DohRayMe · 28/08/2013 01:22

Viva, I'm a long time lurker and I feel compelled to post as I've been following your threads with a heavy heart-your situation has brought back painful memories for me as I have been in a very similar situation.

16 years ago I adopted an 18 month old Great Dane cross, a beautiful, clever, loyal and loving dog that stole my heart, however, she had major dog aggression issues. As she settled in it became apparent that although she was great with us, she was very unpredictable with anyone outside our immediate family, she would lunge and snap at visitors or people in the street, though she never bit anyone.

We then found out from the rescue centre that she had been a neglected and had never been outside of her owners garden so had obviously never been socialised which helped to explain her issues. To cut a year long story short-we tried everything we could to help her from training classes to behaviourists with no real improvement but we loved her and managed as best as we could with very early/late walks, few visitors etc.

However one miserable day was the day that I lost my trust in her completely-I took her to the vets and I was kneeling next to her holding her collar as the vet went to pick her foot up and in a split second she whacked her muzzle off and went into a full on attack, the vet escaped unscathed but the pure fear I felt being dragged on my knees towards another human being by my beloved dog, knowing that if I let go she would seriously injure him (and that she wanted to) was a massive wake up call.

That day I realised that what she was capable of and realised that although we thought we were managing her behaviour and trying everything, it wasn't enough. That no matter how much I loved her she must have been miserable feeling the way she did every time she saw a person or dog and I made the most painful decision I have ever made to have her put to sleep.

I still feel sad when I think about her, not because I regret my decision, but because of the people that damaged her and didnt care. I am glad that she came into our lives so we could show her what it was to be loved and I know she'll be waiting for me at rainbow bridge.

My thoughts are with you x

VoiceOfRaisin · 28/08/2013 12:00

dohrayme that's heartbreaking but you definitely did the right thing.

DohRayMe · 28/08/2013 15:26

VoiceofRaison it was/is heartbreaking, I cried buckets last night writing that post, but I hope that anyone else in a similar position can take something from it. I can still put my hand on my heart and know we did everything we could for her which is what I hold on to, it was the right decision for her and us and anyone she may have had the opportunity to bite.

Sometimes despite all the will in the world, professional help and managing of the situation, some dogs are too badly damaged to rehabilitate no matter how much we love them.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/08/2013 11:39

I've made an appt for him to be pts. Not till the 7th as I need dd to be back at school.

She and dh have gone away for a few days and I promised her I wouldn't do it while she was away. She was sobbing this morning, says she doesn't want another dog. Just wants this one, he's her best friend, etc.

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Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/08/2013 11:40

Meant to say thank you for all the support. Worst decision of my life.

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Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/08/2013 11:42

And he'll be perfect for next few days while it's just me and him

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Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 29/08/2013 11:46

And he'll be perfect for next few days while it's just me and him

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GrimmaTheNome · 29/08/2013 11:53

Viva, I'm so sorry. Such a horrible situation. Sad